In the past year the use of C Space forums has grown from a very small base to become a large and vibrant student community discussing a huge range of topics. The College forums provide a structured, controlled and safe environment in which students can discuss and debate all aspects of their life and learning at the College.

The forums were created by Interactive Learning Strategies and are moderated by members of the ILS Team though this is not often required and students are excellent at moderating their own online behavior. The forums can be accessed 24/7 and students frequently post messages outside College hours and at weekends.

Up to 400 postings can be sent to the forums on any given day of the week.

To date students have submitted 17,862 posts in 20 different forums.

The Student Council is the most popular forum with 6,772 posts in 245 topics.

Students helping each other

"this may sound really silly, but for a part of my work I need to make a picture slideshow...... but i dont no how :(
I have seen them on YouTube and was just wondering if anybody knew how to do them?
Thanks

 

"Windows Movie Maker is your best bet.
Simply import the pictures, and drag them into the timeline. I'm sure you'll pick it up easy."

From Help on You Tube on the Student Council Forum

Student led activities

The forums have led to a number of initiatives being set up by and for students.

The Student Anime Club has been set up as a result of initial discussions in the Student Council Forums and two members of the club now moderate the Anime forum. We've also create a new student Showcase forum after students requested an area where they could share and display online work they had created.

Students are currently in discussions regarding:

• up a Music club
• Table top based games club
• Computer games club
• Badminton club

Launch of the Student Showcase Forum

To celebrate the launch of the Student Showcase Forum we decided to host a month long competition. The idea has two main benefits it promotes use of the forums and it also ensures that we have a healthy supply of Student Content to display around C Space and associated websites.
A competition is also currently running for students to show off their computer art skills and the winner will be voted on in a forthcoming Poll of the Week.

Teaching and Learning

Students have began to use the forums to discuss their own learning and to suggest improvements to how the College can be used more effectively.

Trainee teachers are using the ITT forum to discuss teaching and learning.

Students are using the forums to provide support to each other on their courses.  See Help on You Tube, where students have offered assistance to another student on setting up a picture slideshow.

Discussions have also been ongoing regarding the development of C Space, what services students want accessible via a mobile device and what should be the topic of the poll of the week.

The C Space Poll of the Week (with over 2000 votes every week) also provides engaging student discussions on Topics ranging from the

Adult Learners Forum

"I have returned to education at the age of 30 to retrain in IT and administration at weekends and evenings.

I have found the college to be a great place to learn and have found the staff and tutors to be a great help with any problems I have had with my courses.

I would recommend the college to anyone thinking of going into education.

I am due to start a Further IT course at Easter which I am really looking forward to and hoping to acheive a good grade."

Comment from an adult student

heavyweight (e.g. torture) to the lighthearted (e.g. Who was the best Batman) and is used by many tutors as a discussion prompt in tutorial sessions.

College environment
Students are also keen to comment on developments across the College, for example the current Atrium works.

If you want to know more then please contact the ILS Team who will be happy to discuss with you or your students how to make best use of the forums to enrich their experience of the College.