Ultra Practice Courses created

9th March 20239th March 2023 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Technical Updates, Training and Support, Ultra Leave a comment

Now that the templates have been confirmed we have created an individual Ultra Practice Course for all staff members.

This practice course is private to you and has no students enrolled on it. You can use this course to create content and try out the new Ultra course interface.

You will find your practice course by going to Organisations on the left-hand side menu:

Ultra Base Navigation with Organisations showing

The course has been created with the bilingual AU course template. For further information on course templates, see our previous blogpost. They will be named your name Cwrs Ymarfer Ultra / Ultra Practice Course.

To help prepare you for Ultra courses next academic year, try the following:

You’ll notice that you can drag and drop content much more easily in Ultra. Additionally, you can choose where you add content (without newly created content defaulting to the bottom of the page).

As Ultra is much more fluid than Blackboard original, your approach to content organisation is essential to help students navigate the module. Make sure that you use the preview features so that you can get an idea of how the content looks to students:

It might be that you want to discuss content organisation with colleagues to see if there’s departmental approach that you want to take.

We will be using these practice organisations for training purposes over the coming months. Keep an eye on our blog and webpages for additional information as further guidance is produced.

We’ll be blogging additional tasks over the coming months for you to try in your Ultra practice course. In our next blogpost of this nature, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the Grade Book, Assignments, Turnitin, and Blackboard tests.

If you’ve got any questions about the move to Blackboard Ultra, please contact the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit (elearning@aber.ac.uk).

Supervisor Information

31st January 20232nd February 2023 WordPress User [aee] Training and Support, Uncategorised Leave a comment

Congratulations to Dr Gareth Hoskins, Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences and Professor Reyer Zwiggelaar, Computer Science/Head of the Graduate School on successfully achieving, in December 2022, the UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor award. This award is a national framework which is aligned with the University Supervisor role and supports supervisor development in the sector.

We have an internal support facility for those of you who may be interested in applying, for this award, so please contact Annette Edwards, LTEU, sfastaff@aber.ac.uk or Reyer Zwiggelaar rrz@aber.ac.uk for further information.

The next deadlines for UKCGE applications are 24 March and 23 June.

Also, please hold the 20 April for the 2nd Supervisory Training Day programme for this academic year, programme to be distributed in due course, which will be useful for sections of your application.

If you would like to know more about this award, please visit the UKCGE web page https://supervision.ukcge.ac.uk/good-supervisory-practice-framework/ or there is also further information on the Graduate School web pages https://www.aber.ac.uk/cy/grad-school/

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

25th August 202225th August 2022 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, E-submission, Events and Networks, Panopto, Training and Support Leave a comment

We’re the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit. Based in Information Services, we work with staff across the university to support and develop learning and teaching. We run a wide range of activities to do this.

All the information that you need is on the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit webpages. Our Supporting your Teaching webpages will help you with various teaching solutions.

We write a blog full of the latest updates, details on events and training sessions, and resources.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can do so using one of two email addresses:

lteu@aber.ac.uk (for pedagogical and design questions, or to arrange a consultation) or

elearning@aber.ac.uk (for technical queries regarding our e-learning tools listed below)

Academy Forums 2022-23

22nd August 202222nd August 2022 WordPress User [jbw] Academy Forum, Events and Networks, Training and Support 2 Comments

We’re really excited to announce our forthcoming Academy Forums for 2022-23. Building on the success of last year’s sessions, and based on feedback, we’ve increased the number of Academy Forums on offer, with 10 running across the academic year.

For those of you unfamiliar with Academy Forums, they’re informal discussions that bring colleagues together from across the University. In each session, we’ll look at a particular topic related to Learning and Teaching. We’ll facilitate the discussion and also provide resources and guidance following the Academy Forum. We then make these available on our webpages. Take a look at last year’s Academy Forum topics:

This year, we are seeing a return of some in person Academy Forums as well as having some run online via Teams. You can view the dates, session descriptions, and book your place on our booking page for the first three sessions – keep your eye out for future sessions.

We’ll be starting our Academy Forums with a discussion around Student Induction. We’ll be thinking about how you prepare students to study. What types of activities do you run in week 1 of your module to familarise your students with the content? Also, we’ll be asking colleagues to share with us how you might use technology in these interactions.

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

5th January 20225th January 2022 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, E-submission, Interactive Tools, Training and Support Leave a comment

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

We’re the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit. Based in Information Services. We work with staff across the university to support and develop learning and teaching. We run a wide range of activities to do this.

All the information that you need is on theLearning and Teaching Enhancement Unit webpages. We have recently worked intensively with academic colleagues to develop solutions in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. Our Supporting your Teachingwebpages will help you with various teaching solutions.

We write a blog full of the latest updates, details on events and training sessions, and resources.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can do so using one of two email addresses:

lteu@aber.ac.uk (for pedagogical and design questions, or to arrange a consultation) or

elearning@aber.ac.uk (for technical queries regarding our e-learning tools listed below)

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

15th September 202117th September 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, E-submission, Events and Networks, Online Teaching, Panopto, Teaching Continuity, Training and Support, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE) Leave a comment

All the information that you need is on the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit webpages. We have recently worked intensively with academic colleagues to develop solutions in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. Our Supporting your Teaching webpages will help you with various teaching solutions.

We write a blog full of the latest updates, details on events and training sessions, and resources.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can do so using one of two email addresses:

lteu@aber.ac.uk (for pedagogical and design questions, or to arrange a consultation) or

elearning@aber.ac.uk (for technical queries regarding our e-learning tools listed below)

Vevox Training Sessions

31st August 202131st August 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Training and Support, Vevox Leave a comment

Last year, the University procured Vevox as its Polling Tool solution. Since then, we’ve seen lots of fantastic in-class polling activities taking place across the University.

For those of you who haven’t used Vevox before or would like some guidance, Vevox will be running some training sessions in September and October:

9^th September 11:00-12:00
28^th September 14:00-15:00
6^th October 10:00-11:00

Book your place on our Courses Booking site.

This training session will be taking place online via Teams. A link will be sent to you prior to the start of the session.

For more information on Vevox, take a look at our Vevox Polling Tool webpage.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 11/8/2021

11th August 202111th August 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

As leader of our PGCTHE programme, I keep an eye out for resources to help staff teach effectively. These include webinars, podcasts, online toolkits, publications and more. Topics include active learning, online/blended teaching, accessibility/inclusion, and effective learning design based on cognitive science. Below I’ve listed items that came to my attention in the past week. In the interest of clarity, our policy is to show the titles and descriptions in the language of delivery.

Online events and webinars

16/8/2021 ALT, A Framework to Support Problem-Based Learning (mobiPBL)
27/8/2021 ALT, Copyright and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
1/9/2021 Transforming Assessment webinars, Making post-pandemic assessment authentic and engaging (Sally Brown & Kay Sambell)
1-2/9/2021 RAISE Network, Annual conference: Student Engagement in the Context of Covid-19
10/9/2021 Pedagogy and Pancakes, Practical Pedagogy Conference
6/10/2021 Transforming Assessment webinars, Using video in assessment and feedback

Resources and publications

ACUE (2020), Inclusive Online Teaching Webinars recordings and resources (about 1 hour each)
Bartolic, S. K., Boud, D., Agapito, J., Verpoorten, D., Williams, S., Lutze-Mann, L., Matzat, U., Moreno, M. M., Polly, P., Tai, J., Marsh, H. L., Lin, L., Burgess, J-L., Habtu, S., Mercedes Rodrigo, M. M., Roth, M., Heap, T. & Guppy, N. (2021) A multi-institutional assessment of changes in higher education teaching and learning in the face of COVID-19, Educational Review
Bournemouth University Centre for Fusion Learning, Innovation and Excellence, Co-creating Assessment (6 videos, about 3 minutes each)
Bruff, D. (29/9/2010), Tools for Grading – Sample Rubrics and Spreadsheets, Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching
Fisher, K. (11/2003), Demystifying Critical Reflection: Defining criteria for assessment, Higher Education Research & Development, 22(3), 313-325
Healey, M. & Healey, R. (n.d.), Embedding Active Learning into your Teaching Practice, Heriot Watt University Learning & Teaching Academy
Honicutt, B. (27/7/2021), Podcast Episode 95: Case Study Episode: Redesigning an In-Person Lab to an Online Format with Jennifer Wallace (30-minute recording), MSN, RN, CNE, Lecture Breakers Podcast and Show Notes
Lawrence, J., Brown, A., Redmond, P., Maloney, S., Basson, M., Galligan, L., & Turner, J. (8/3/2021), Does Course Specific Nudging Enhance Student Engagement, Experience and Success?: A Data-Driven Longitudinal Tale. Student Success, 12(2), 28-37.
Liberman, B. (18/3/2019), How Learning Works: 10 Research-Based Insights, Getting Smart
Mayes, J. T. (7/4/2015), Still to learn from Vicarious Learning, E-learning and Digital Media 12(3-4)
Nebel, C. (29/7/2021), Unlearning Neuromyths, The Learning Scientists blog
Open University Learning Design Team (4/2021), Planning the Student Journey
Pun, K. (2/9/2016), Dos and Don’ts on Designing for Accessibility, Accessibility in Government, UK government blog post featuring useful posters for accessible design
Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching, Teaching Guides
Varwell, S. (5/7/2021). Models for exploring partnership: Introducing sparqs’ student partnership staircase as a reflective tool for staff and students, International Journal for Students As Partners, 5(1), 107–123.

Other

19/9/2021 deadline, call for proposals – SOAS Learning & Teaching Conference, The New Normal and Collaborative Student Learning
OpenLearn MOOC started 5/8/2021, Scholarship of teaching and learning in STEM, Open University

Please see the Staff Training booking page for training offered by the LTEU and other Aberystwyth University staff. I hope you find this weekly resource roundup useful. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact our team at lteu@aber.ac.uk. You may also wish to follow my Twitter feed, Mary Jacob L&T.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 28/4/2021

28th April 202128th April 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

Online events and webinars

5/5/2021 Duke University Learning Innovation, Pandemic Pedagogy Research Symposium
5/5/2021 Assessment in Higher Education and Transforming Assessment, Honing self-assessment via serious games and team learning
6/5/2021 University of London Centre for Distance Education, Experiences in Digital Learning Webinar: Institutional Response
13/5/2021 RAISE, Critical Pedagogies Group Annual Lecture 2021: Critical listening. Anti-racism. Institutions.
26/5/2021 AdvanceHE, Leading Student Engagement in Times of Crisis and Transformation: Student Engagement Conference 2021
9-10/6/2021 WonkHE, Wonkfest: Build Back Higher
14-17/6/2021 Jisc, Connect More: Embracing the digital evolution of education and skills

Resources and publications

Carolina (22/4/2021), Equity Practices in Higher Education: The Importance of Dialogue – A Reflection, TILE Network
Cayley, R. (22/4/2021), Supporting doctoral writers as writers, Supervising PhDs
European Distance and E-learning Network (EDEN) (26/4/2021), Learning Design in the Eye of the Storm Webinar recording
Hutton, L. (1/4/2021), Improving engagement in live sessions: the power of the chat, Jisc
iBiology, Professional Development Videos: Peer Discussion, Think-Pair-Share, Active Learning Methods, Active Learning, Classroom Models
Mannion, A. (24/9/2019), Do you comply with the new accessibility regulations?, AbilityNet Blog
Open University, Accessibility: Digital Standards and Guidelines
Rowland, O. (4/6/2020), Active Learning: Making Learning Engaging, Open University Learning Design Blog
Seer Centre, University of Georgia, REALISE videos – Repository for Visualizing Active Learning In Science Education
UNC Learning Center Peer Tutor (10/2020), Studying with Quizlet, How I Write and Learn

Weekly Resource Roundup – 20/4/2021

20th April 202127th April 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

Online events and webinars

23/4/2021 Association for Learning Technology (ALT), Copyright and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
28/4/2021 WonkHE, Wonkhe @ Home: A micro-commission on the future of learning resources
28/4/2021 Westminster Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation, Navigating the ethics of partnership relationships by Dr Moonisah Usman
28/4/2021 AdvanceHE, Surveys & Insights Conference 2021: Adapting to challenging times
30/4/2021 INCLUDE, Rear-view mirror: reflecting about practice through the lens of Universal Design for Learning principles and practices to inform learning design – presented by Virna Rossi, Ravensbourne University London, United Kingdom
5/5/2021 Transforming Assessment, Honing self-assessment via serious games and team learning
7/5/2021 Book launch with Sarah Elaine Eaton, Plagiarism in Higher Education: Tackling Tough Topics in Academic Integrity Registration
14-18/6/2021 European Network for Academic Integrity, ENAI Summer School 2021 on Academic Integrity

Resources and publications

de Blacquiere-Clarkson, R., (14/10/2020), Digital Accessibility: meeting our ethical and legal obligations in the inter- and post-pandemic university, Post-pandemic University
Coffee & Cobblestones podcast (14/4/2021), Post Pandemic Assessment: Should exams as we knew them be a thing of the past?, Academic Practice: Trinity College Dublin
Irish Universities Association (14/4/2021), Future of Teaching and Learning post-Covid webinar recording
Mihai, A. (19/4/2021), Thinking about authentic learning? Try Project-Based Learning, The Educationalist
Mitchell, K. (14/4/2021), A group-based approach to online course design, The Educationalist
Open University Learning Design, Inclusive Curriculum: The Open University’s Three Principles (poster)
Pacansky-Brock, M. (2020). How to humanize your online class, version 2.0
Reedy, K. (21/9/2018), Perfect Partners: How we work with others to support learning design, Open University Learning Design Blog
Rossi, V. (3/2021), Rear-view mirror from a UK perspective: Reflecting about practice through the lens of Universal Design for Learning principles and practices to inform learning design, International Collaboratory for Universally Designed Education (INCLUDE)
Tasler, N. (14/4/2021), Not enough data but still learning, Adventures in Academic Development
Wells, A., Mayer, R.E., Plass, J.L. et al. (13/4/2021), Playing a Video Game and Learning to Think: What’s the Connection?. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement

Digital Education Group

Aberystwyth University

Category: Training and Support

Ultra Practice Courses created

Supervisor Information

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

Academy Forums 2022-23

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

Welcome to new staff joining Aberystwyth University

Vevox Training Sessions

Weekly Resource Roundup – 11/8/2021

Online events and webinars

Resources and publications

Other

Weekly Resource Roundup – 28/4/2021

Online events and webinars

Resources and publications

Weekly Resource Roundup – 20/4/2021

Online events and webinars

Resources and publications