An Exploration into Technology Enhanced Learning for Large Cohorts of Apparel Students.

In attempting to balance student satisfaction, individual expectations and the need to produce industry ready graduates, with the increase in student numbers a new strategy to teaching and learning was explored within the advanced apparel curriculum. An active learning strategy (enquiry based learning) using an operational framework was developed and implemented which incorporated blending learning strategies including the use of an e-forum. This study investigated the effect of e-forums in relation to enhanced student learning and increased student satisfaction within a large cohort of apparel students. Through a combination of content analysis, student satisfaction surveys and tutor reflective practice overwhelming evidence was found to support the hypothesis that e-forums and continuous e-feedback embedded into units designed for large cohorts of apparel students significantly increased student satisfaction. The findings from this study illustrated that e-forums, with the opportunity for continuous feedback, enhanced learning and engagement, improved team communication, and developed the life skills required for apparel industry/practitioner ready graduates. Further to this embedding an e-forum was found to increase tutor awareness and be an effective mechanism for identifying bottlenecks within the curriculum design and delivery.

Keywords: e-forum, large cohorts, active learning, apparel, technology, e-feedback