Phd Research Studentships

Self-Funded PhD Research Project

School of Engineering and Built Environment Department of Computer, Communication and Interactive Systems

Project Reference Number: SEBE_SELF_JD_1

Project Title: Enhancing interactivity in the lecture environment using mobile device-based ARS technologies.

Self-funded research applications are invited for the following PhD project at Glasgow Caledonian University. Please note that as this project is not funded by a university studentship, the successful candidate will be required to source external funding for the research degree fees and living expenses while studying at the university.

Research Discipline areas Computing, Education, Information Technology

Research Theme(s) Education Research

Research Supervisor Contact Candidates are encouraged to contact the following researcher for further details on the proposed research project area.

Jim Devon, [email protected]

Research Project Summary Within education, assessment and feedback practices should be designed to enable students to become self-regulated learners, able to monitor and evaluate the quality and impact of their own work and that of others. Feedback can be made more immediate and useful by attempting to engage students in new ways by introducing new technology. For example, audience response system (ARS) technology provides a means for the lecturer to engage and interact with the students using the responses to offer the student audience feedback that leads to further discussion and the opportunity for student reflection. We see the rise in popularity of smartphones in the UK and in particular the uptake in smartphone ownership within the student population opening a new dimension for this type of interaction, feedback and engagement research.

The project will investigate a ways in which mobile technologies using appropriate cloud services and technologies on a range of platforms can be integrated into the lecture/lab/tutorial environment to enhance student participation, thus improving student engagement and understanding.

Suggested outcomes and areas of impact could include:  A literature review of the current state of feedback technologies within the lecture environment  A Client and Server applications to deliver and gather user responses on a range of mobile platforms in a diverse range of education settings – this will allow other users to get involved in the usage of any such ‘feedback’ system in many different scenarios  An evaluation of the different technologies that have been suggested i.e. clickers, QR codes and Cloud Services Providers tools and solutions – this may be useful for further research opportunities within the wider education community  An evaluation of the engagement levels of our students by analysing the data that we collect from our student participation in the question and answer sessions, the focus groups and questionnaire returns.  Enhancing student feedback through technology

Version3.0Apr15 Mode(s) of Study This project is available as a:  PhD: 3 years full-time  PhD: 4.5 years part-time

Institute/Research Groups (if applicable)  Education  Visual, Affective and Pervasive Systems

APPLICATION DETAILS

Eligibility Applicants will normally hold a UK honours degree 2:1 (or equivalent); or a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the research project. Equivalent professional qualifications and any appropriate research experience may be considered. A minimum English language level of IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0 is required. Some research disciplines may require higher levels.

How to Apply Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisor contact for the project before applying.

Applicants should complete the GCU Research Application Form (available from: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/researchdegrees/ ) stating the project title and reference number and attaching a research proposal. The form should be sent with copies of academic qualifications (including IELTS if required), 2 references and any other relevant documentation to: [email protected]. Applicants shortlisted for a PhD will be contacted for an interview. Application Deadlines The PhD programmes commence in 01 October, 01 February or 01 May of each year. The application deadlines for 2015-16 are as follows:

 May 2016 Start - 1 March 2016  October 2016 Start - 30 June 2016  February 2017 Start - 1 December 2016

Research Degree Fees Current fee information: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/researchdegrees/feesfunding/

Version3.0Apr15