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Denise Whitelock
Homepage
Senior Lecturer in Educational Technology
Institute of Educational Technology
The Open University
Walton HallResearch Interests
Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
Tel: 01908 653777
Profile
I am currently directing the Computer Assisted Formative Assessment Project (CAFA). This work consists of three strands. One of which is building a suite of tools for collaborative assessment. This work has been undertaken in conjunction with Professor Marc Eisenstadt and we have built BuddyFinder and SimLINK. The former is a communication tool that links students together to work on joint assessments, while the latter facilities students sharing a simulation while working from different locations.
The second strand involves working with different faculties building and evaluating different types of formative assessments. Many of the questions have been built to address known student misconceptions for a given subject specialism.
The third strand investigates how the introduction of a VLE (Moodle) is affecting the development of formative assessments in the Open University. This latter part of the project has led to a phase 2 development of "Open Comment". This is a joint venture with Robert Gordon University, has been the ‘Open Comment’ project. We are constructing a prototype that will facilitate free text entry for History formative e-assessments. Open Comment will run within the Moodle environment and builds upon the work of OpenMentor, an externally funded project.
All the e-assessment projects demonstrate the synergy between research and practical application that is taking place within the Open University. Another example of which was when I was awarded £18,000 from the University’s Learning and Teaching Innovations Committee to lead the eMentor project. This project set out to build and test a tutor mentoring tool for the marking of tutors’ comments on electronically submitted assignments. This project received an Open University Teaching Award in 2005.
I am also a member of the Educational Dialogue Research Unit (EDRU) Research Group and JISC Education Experts Group. I was elected in November 2007 to the Governing Council of the Society for Research into Higher Education.
Qualifications
BSc Special Hons – upper second class in Physiology, Sheffield University
Post Graduate Certificate in Education, University of Exeter, College of St. Mark & St John, Plymouth. Merit.
MEd in Science Education, University of London, Centre of Science and Mathematics Education, Chelsea College. Distinction.
PhD in Science Education, University of London, Institute of Education.
Research Interests
All the strands of my research can be located within the Educational Dialogue arena. I have been investigating how students’ learning is mediated by computers and how educational dialogues can be facilitated through the use of:
- Electronic Assessment/Interactive Learning Environments
- Computer Supported Collaborative Learning systems
- Interactive Multimedia applications
Research awards have been granted in all these areas.
Visiting Academic Positions
Honorary Research Fellowship, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand from 2007.
Visiting Reader, Robert Gordon University from 2007.
Visiting Professor, Autonoma University, Barcelona from 2007.
External Funding
2007 - 2009 Nefreduca Project. (Funding awarded final amount is currently being negotiated). With Professor Roser Pinto from the Autonoma University of Barcelona. Building web based science testing materials for children in hospital with chronic kidney disease.
2005 – 2006 e-Assessment Roadmap £11,424. Led by Dr Denise Whitelock. This is a JISC funded project to advise DfES about e-assessment
2005 – 2006 e-Assessment Case Studies £45,000. Led by Dr Denise Whitelock. This is a JISC funded project with the University of Derby to conduct 15 case studies in Higher and Further Education with respect to e-Assessment practices.
2005 – 2006 Open Mentor version 2 £54,997. Led by Dr Denise Whitelock. This is a JISC funded project with Robert Gordon University to conduct a pedagogical evaluation of OpenMentor and with these findings to develop a further version of this open source software.
2004 - 2005 Open Mentor £55,750. Led by Dr Denise Whitelock. This was a JISC funded project with Robert Gordon University to connect eMentor into an Open Source equivalent system. This web based system provides tutors with feedback on the comments they have made on their students’ assignments and coursework. It provides an electronic analysis of an educational dialogue.
Internal Funding
Feb 07– Aug 07 PVC’S Office £30,000
Open Comment project building free text entry formative assessments for the Arts Faculty.
June 2006 EDRU £500
Organise and find external speakers to take part in Research Day: "Where are we going with e-Assessment?"
Jan 05– July 06 PVC’S Office £30,000
‘Computer Assisted Formative Assessment Project’. Investigating tools for formative e-assessment with particular reference to the Arts and Humanities subjects.
Nov 05 -July 06 PVC’S Office £21,200
Buddyspace and BuddyFinder enhancements with Marc Eisenstadt. My interest in this project is to facilitate students to find partners online in order to collaborate upon complex formative assessment problems.
April – July 05 IET £7,200
Creative Dialogues for Formative Assessment. Investigate the ‘personal journeys’ that individuals construct with respect to the feedback they receive about their learning.
Feb – July 05 EDRU £1,000
‘Creativity and the mentoring process during doctoral students’ supervision sessions’. This project investigates the ‘personal journeys’ that individuals construct to account for the creative elements in their progress leading to the setting up of their main study for their doctoral thesis.
Jan – Dec 05 PVC’S Office £30,000
‘Computer Assisted Formative Assessment Project’. Building and testing a formative
assessment system that will be trialed with a technology and science course in the Open University.
Nov 02–Dec 03 LTIC £18,000
Ementor Project. Built and tested a Tutor Mentoring Tool for the marking of tutor
comments on electronically submitted TMAs.
Feb-Sept 02 LTTB £20,000
FRAME: Feedback, Reviewing and Monitoring Support for Essay Report Writing Project with Stuart Watt. A feasibility study of an automatic essay marking tool for monitoring TMAs.
Invited international presentations
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Quality Criteria for Computer based skills Assessment Workshop. ‘Accelerating the assessment agenda: thinking outside the black box’, Ispra, Italy, 2007.
CROSSNET Co-ordinators meeting,
Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona. Flexible Approaches to Teaching and Learning with eLearning Dialogues. 2007
Autonoma University, Barcelona. Researching innovative and effective practice in eAssessment using a Case Study methodology. 2007
Methodological Conference of the REMIC Network: reflecting on research Methodology in Science and Mathematics Education. Sitges 2007 From data to the results: The research analysis
Public Lecture hosted by the Open
eLearning Dialogues: devices for deepening student deliberation 2007
7th Computer Based Learning in Science Conference, Integrating New Technologies in Science and Education’.
Educação à distância, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil sponsored by The British Council. ‘Trends and perspectives in Distance Education’. 2001
Panhellenic conference on Information Technologies & Education,
The 13th National Symposium of the
CAMTech, Centre for Advanced Media Technology,
National
National
Selection of Publications
Journal articles
Whitelock, D. (1999) ‘Investigating the role of task structure and interface support in two virtual learning environments', Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Lifelong Learning, Special issue on 'Microworlds for Education and Learning, Guest Editors Darina Dicheva and Piet A.M. Kommers, Vol. 9, Nos 3/4, pp. 291-301. ISSN 0957-4344.
Jelfs, A. and Whitelock, D. (2000) ‘The notion of presence in virtual learning environments: what makes the environment "real".’ The British Journal of Educational Technology Special Issue from The Ninth International PEG Conference. Guest Editors Linda Baggott and Jon Nichol. Vol. 31 No. 2 pp.145-152 ISSN 0007-1013.
Whitelock, D. (2000) ‘Frameworks for the Evaluation of Multimedia Learning Technologies: Lessons learned and future directions?’ in the Brazilian Journal of Science Education"Pesquisa em Educação em Ciências". Cecimig, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Vol. 2, No. 1, March 2000, pp. 57-74. ISSN 1415-2150.
Whitelock D., Romano D., Jelfs A. and Brna P.(2000) ‘Perfect Presence: What does this mean for the design of virtual learning environments?’ in Selwood, I., Mikropoulos, T., and Whitelock, D. (eds) Special Issue of Education & Information Technologies: Virtual Reality in Education, Vol. 5, No. 4, December 2000, pp. 277-289. Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISSN 1360-2357.
Whitelock, D., Watts, S., Raw, Y. and Moreale, E. (2003) ‘Analysing Tutor Feedback to Students: First steps towards constructing an Electronic Monitoring System’. Association for Learning Technology Journal (ALT-J). Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 31-42 ISSN 0968-7769.
Littleton, K. and Whitelock, D. (2004) ‘The Role of the Moderator in Guiding the Creation of Knowledge and Understanding in a Community of Web Learners’. In Kirschner, P. (ed) Special Issue of Cyberpsychology and Behaviour, Vol.7, Issue 2.pp.173-181.
Whitelock, D. and Jelfs, A. (2005) ‘Would you rather collect data in the rain or attend a Virtual Field Trip? Findings from a series of Virtual Science Field Studies’. In Constantinou, C.P., Zacharia, Z.C. and Kommers, P.A.M. (eds) The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Science Teaching and Learning. Special Issue of the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning (IJCEELL).
Whitelock, D. (2006) ‘Electronic Assessment: Marking, Monitoring and Mediating Learning’. In McAndrew, P. and Jones, A. (eds) Interactions, Objects and Outcomes in learning. Special Issue of International Journal of Learning Technology. Vol 2 Nos. 2/3 pp.264-276
Littleton, K. & Whitelock, D. (2005) ‘The negotiation and co-construction of meaning and understanding within a postgraduate on-line learning community’. In Lewin, C. and Pearson, M. (eds) Special Issue of Learning Media & Technology. Vol. 30, ISSN 1743-9884
Hennessy, S., Wishart, J., Whitelock, D., Deaney, R., Brawn, R., la Velle, L., McFarlane, A., Ruthven, K. & Winterbottom, M. (2007) Pedagogical Approaches for Technology-Integrated Science Teaching. Journal of Computers & Education. Vol 48 No.1 pp.137-152
Knightley, W. & Whitelock, D. (2007) Assessing the self-esteem of female undergraduate students: An issue of methodology. Educational Studies, Vol. 33, No. 2 pp.217-231
Conference Papers
Whitelock, D. and Jelfs, A. (2000) ‘Vulnerable Viewers of Valid Vistas? Assessing Student Performance when the Perception of Presence is Increased in a Virtual Learning Environments.’ Presence 2000 Workshop, Delft, The Netherlands. 27th-28th March 2000. Proceedings on CD Rom pp.41-46 ISBN 90-386-1571-X.
Whitelock, D. (2000) ‘Floundering on Field Trips? Try Fair Weather Forays with Desk Top Virtual Reality Excursions’. ALT-C2000, 7th International Conference of the Association for Learning Technology, Integrating Learning Technology Practice, Policy & Partnership, 11th-13th September 2000, UMIST, Manchester. pp80-81 ÓAssociation for Learning Technology
Whitelock, D. (2001) ‘Electronic Assessment: An investigation of old practice and an appraisal of potential new directions for The Open University.’ ALT-C2001, 8th International Conference of the Association for Learning Technology. Changing Learning Environments, 11th-13th September 2001, Edinburgh. p43 ÓAssociation for Learning Technology
Knightley, W., Whitelock, D. and Calder, J. (2001) ‘Education and its effects on Self Esteem: Monitoring mature women students’ movement along this measure.’ The Gender and Education 3rd International Conference,The Centre for Research and Education on Gender4-6April 2001, Institute of Education London, UK pp.293-301. ISBN: 1-904487-00-9.
Jelfs, A. and Whitelock, D. (2001) ‘Presence and the Role of Activity Theory in Understanding how students learn in Virtual Learning Environments.’ Cognitive Technology: Instruments of Mind. 4th International Conference, CT2001, 6th-9th August 2001, Coventry, UK pp123-129 ISBN 3-540-42406-7 Springer
Whitelock, D., Raw, Y., Watt, S. and Moreale, E. (2002) ‘Improving Feedback to Tutors: Constructing an electronic monitoring system.’ ALT-C2002, 9th International Conference of the Association for Learning Technology. 9th-11th September 2002, Sunderland. p1 ÓAssociation for Learning Technology.
Whitelock, D., Jelfs, A. and Lefrere, P. (2002) ‘Remind me to Remind You: Probing the value of computer memory training for undergraduate study.’ ALT-C2002, 9th International Conference of the Association for Learning Technology. 9th-11th September 2002, Sunderland. p42 ÓAssociation for Learning Technology
Moreale, E., Whitelock, D., Raw, Y. and Watt, S. (2002) ‘What measures do we need to build an electronic monitoring tool for post graduate tutor marked assignments?’ 6th International Computer Assisted Assessment Conference. 9th-10th July 2002, Loughborough. pp253-267.
Whitelock, D., Watt, S., Moreale, E. and Raw, Y. (2002) ‘Exploring Essay Marking Tools for Quality Assurance: The tip of the iceberg?’ International Conference on Computer Based Testing and the Internet: Building Guidelines for Best Practice. June 2002, Winchester. p39
Whitelock, D. (2002) ‘Augmenting Student Memory Skills: The Role of Cognitive Load Theory.’ Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Conference, Students and Learning What is changing? 10-12 December 2002, University of Glasgow. p42.
Whitelock, D. & Raw, Y. (2002) ‘Improving Feedback to Tutors: Managing an Electronic Monitoring System.’ Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Conference, Students and Learning What is changing? 10-12 December 2002, University of Glasgow. p85
Whitelock, D. and Raw, Y. (2003) ‘Taking an Electronic Mathematics Examination from Home: What the students think.’ In Constantinou, C.P. and Zacharia, Z.C. (eds) Computer Based Learning in Science, Volume 1, New Technologies and their Applications in Education. Published by Department of Educational Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, 2003. ISBN 9963-8525-1-3 pp. 701-713.
Jelfs, A. and Whitelock, D. (2003) ‘Virtual Fields in Science: Why students would rather take them than leave them.’In Constantinou, C.P. and Zacharia, Z.C. (eds) Computer Based Learning in Science, Volume 1, New Technologies and their Applications in Education. Published by Department of Educational Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, 2003. ISBN 9963-8525-1-3 pp.754-761.
Littleton, K. and Whitelock, D. (2003) ‘Creating Knowledge and Understanding through a Community of Collaborative Learners.’ Improving Learning, Fostering the Will to Learn, 10th Biennial Conference EARLI (European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction) Padova, Italy, August 26-30, ISBN 88-7178-975-X, p.46.
Whitelock, D. (2005) ‘eLearning and eAssessment: What can and should be automated?’ 7th International Conference on Computer Based Learning in Science 2005. University of Zilinia, Sovakia, 2-6 July 2005.
Whitelock, D. (2005) ‘eLearning Dialogues: Supporting students to become more reflective learners’. CAL’05 Virtual Learning? University of Bristol, 4 – 6 April 2005.
Littleton, K., Miell, D., Le Voi, M., Whitelock, D., Vass, E. and Wegerif, A. (2005) Identity work and productive interactions in an asynchronous conferencing environment. CAL’05 Virtual Learning? University of Bristol, 4 – 6 April 2005.
Rae, S. & Whitelock, D. (2005) ‘e-Assessment: which way now?’ eLIT Conference 2005 June 2005
Rae, J. & Whitelock, D. (2005) ‘The Role of Diagnostic Dialogues in the Software Design and Development process.’ ALT-C 2005 Exploring the frontiers of e-learning: borders, outposts and migration, 12th International Conference. University of Manchester, 6 – 8 September 2005.
Whitelock, D. & Rae, S. (2005) ‘Interactive Assessment or Interactive Learning: what’s the difference?’ Improving Student Learning (ISL) Conference 2005. Imperial College London, September 2005.
Knight, S. & Whitelock, D. (2005) ‘Supporting Institutions with e-Assessment’. Post 16 e-learning BECTA Conference 2005. MICC Manchester, 1 & 2 November 2005.
Whitelock, D. & Watt, S. (2006) ‘OpenMentor: opening tutors eyes to the written support given to students on their assignments.’ JISC Conference 2006, Information & Communication Technology in Education and Research. International Conference Centre, Birmingham, 14th March 2006.
Whitelock, D., Mackenzie, D., Whitehouse, C., Ruedel, C. & Rae, S. (2006) ‘Identifying innovative and effective practice in e-assessment: findings from 17 UK case studies.’ CAA Conference 2006, Loughborough University, 4/5 July 2006
Whitelock, D. & Brasher, A. (2006) ‘Developing a Roadmap for e-assessment: which way now?’ CAA Conference 2006, Loughborough University, 4/5 July 2006
Whitelock, D., Mackenzie, D., Whitehouse, C., Ruedel, C. & Rae, S. (2006) ‘e-Assessment in the UK: lessons learned from seventeen case studies’. ALT-C 2006: the next generation, 5-7 September 2006, Edinburgh
Whitelock, D. & Brasher, A. (2006) ‘A Roadmap for e-assessment: which way is the compass pointing?’ ALT-C 2006: the next generation, 5-7 September 2006, Edinburgh
Whitelock, D. & Miell, D. (2007) 'Teaching Academic Creativity: In what ways might PhD supervisors be seen as a 'creativity lab'?" Creativity or Conformity? Building Cultures of Creativity in Higher Education. 8 - 10th January, 2007, Cardiff
Whitelock, D. (2007) 'Key Policy & Strategic Drivers for a vision of e-Assessment'. Presented in a symposium 'e-Assessment: Instructivist Wolves in Constructivist Sheep's Clothing'. CAL'07 Development, Disruption and Debate. 26-28 March 2007, Trinity College, Dublin.
Pittaway, M., Whitelock, D. & Watt, S. (2007) 'Open Comment: An open source formative assessment feedback and guidance tool for History students'. The Curriculum, Teaching & Student Support Conference, The Open University, Milton Keynes, 1-2 May 2007.
Whitelock, D. (2007) 'Computer Assisted Formative Assessment: Supporting Students to become more reflective learners'. 8th International Conference on Computer Based Learning in Science, CBLIS 2007, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 30 June - 6 July 2007.
Whitelock, D. & Watts, S. (2007) 'Supporting Tutors with their feedback to students'. 11th International Computer Assisted Assessment Conference. 10-11 July 2007, Loughborough.
Ruedel, C., Whitelock, D. & Mackenzie, D. (2007) 'Key Factors for Effective Organisation of e-Assessment'. 11th International Computer Assisted Assessment Conference. 10-11 July 2007, Loughborough.
Whitelock, D. (2007) 'Supporting Self Reflection with eLearning dialogues'. One of the four papers to be presented as the following Symposium Title: 'Virtual Discourse: interaction, dialogue, argumentation and meaning construction in Science Education'. ESERA 2007, Malmo, Sweden, August 2007.
Workspace created on 31 January 2005
Last updated on 17 January 2008
- Report for JISC Roadmap for e-assessment June 2006
- OpenMentor Completion Report for JISC (funders for this project)
- Forcing Feedback to the frontline with Open Comment: an open source formative assessment tool
- Putting Pedagogy in the driving seat with Open Comment: An open source formative assessment feedback and guidance tool for History students
- Open Comment - Final Report January 2008
