Continued Professional Development – What’s on Offer?

The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit offers a number of sessions for Continued Professional Development (CPD) covering a range of topics. We offer sessions in both English and Welsh. Welsh-language sessions will appear in Welsh on the staff training website.
In this blog post, I will detail the range of sessions on offer for you between now and January, who to contact to find out more about them, and how to book a place for a session.
Here is what’s on offer in the coming months:

November:

Sessions aimed at Graduate Teaching Assistants, both on Developing your Teaching Practice and on Using MS Teams, Teaching Room Equipment & Synchronous Delivery (English and Welsh language sessions available)
A session on Facilitating Intrinsic Motivation in Students – the Self Determination Theory Perspective (English language only)
Sessions on E-Learning Essentials: Introductions to Blackboard, TurnitIn, and Panopto (the former in English, the latter two in Welsh)
Sessions on Creating Accessible Learning Materials, Learning Environments, and Techniques for Teaching Scientific Subjects as well as Using Jisc Online Surveys (all English language)
Two Academy forums on Why and How to Help Students to Reflect on Their Learning, and on Motivation Strategies for Online Learning Engagement

Weekly Resource Roundup – 9/11/2020

As lecturer in learning and teaching responsible for the PGCTHE, I keep an eye out for new resources to help our staff teach effectively online. This includes externally-provided webinars, toolkits, publications and other resources. Because active learning is high on our university agenda, I’m particularly keen to share guidance for moving active learning online. 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.

23-27/11/2020, International Virtual Meeting of Teaching, Learning & Assessment in Higher Education – “Speakers include David Boud, David Carless, María Assunção Flores, Liisa Postareff, Ana Remesal, Pete Boyd, Phil Dawson, Daniela Bruna, Carlos González, Ernesto Panadero, Gavin Brown, Verónica Santelices, Gonzalo Cifuentes, Stephen Darwin and Verónica Villarroel.“
26/11/2020, Future Teacher Talks, “Working with Rich Media 1 – Images“
ACUE (5/11/2020), “New Resource for Inclusive and Equitable Teaching“
Education Technology, “Streamlining the virtual student experience webinar recording”
Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning, “The Student Perspective of Online/Remote Teaching webinar recording”
Future Teacher Talks, “Inclusive Practice“
Gettin’ Air – the Open Pedagogy Podcast
Pedagodzilla, “The pedagogic podcast with the pop culture core: This podcast is an elaborate effort to boost and broaden our knowledge of pedagogic theory, practice and research. It’s a heck of a dry subject though, so we have a bit of fun by clumsily slapping geeky analogies over the top from our favorite bits of pop culture nerdery. Each episode we’ll skim just enough information to blag a chunk of pedagogy, and then give it a damn good kicking.”

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 – 26/10/2020

26th October 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Events and Networks, Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

28/10/2020 Future Teacher, “Inclusive Practice”
4/11/2020 Jisc, “Learning and teaching reimagined, a new dawn for higher education?”
19/11/2020 Aberystwyth University LTEU, “Academy forum: Why and how to help students to reflect on their learning?”
16/12/2020 Aberystwyth University LTEU, “Advice for Action: Promoting Good Feedback Practice”
Burgos, D. (2020). Radical solutions and open science: An open approach to boost higher education. Singapore: Springer Open.
Carvalho, P. F., & Goldstone, R. L. (30/9/2020). “The most efficient sequence of study depends on the type of test“. Applied Cognitive Psychology.
Hibberson, S. (6/10/2020). “Teaching online: the challenges and the potential“, Jisc blog
Learning Scientists (30/9/2020). “Three Views On Remote Learning and Teaching“, #LrnSciChat
Learning Scientists (22/10/2020). “Digest #148: Engaging Students in Online Learning“
Nicol, D. (18/10/2020) “The power of internal feedback: exploiting natural comparison processes“, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
University of Edinburgh, “Mini-series: Social justice and anti-discrimination“, Teaching Matters Blog

Weekly Resource Roundup – 19/10/2020

19th October 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Online Teaching, Training and Support, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE), Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

20/10/2020 AbilityNet, “How to do accessible social media”
20/10/2020 Jisc, “Online teaching: overcoming the challenges”
21/10/2020 Centre for Distance Education (CDE) “Autumn 2020 Supporting Student Success event”
21/10/2020 Learning & Teaching in HE Tweetchat, “#LTHEchat187: The Value of Fiction in Learning and Teaching”
22/10/2020 ACUE, “Examining and Mitigating Implicit Bias”
27/10/2020 Faculty Focus, “Engaging College Students Using Active Learning Techniques”
28/10/2020 Chronicle of Higher Education, “Campus Wellbeing Post-Pandemic”
28/10/2020 Future Teacher, “Inclusive practice”
5/11/2020 Centre for Distance Education (CDE) “Adventures in synchronous online teaching”
6/11/2020 National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education “Developing feedback literacy in both staff and students and redesigning assessment to build on this new-found understanding”
16/12/2020 LTEU Aberystwyth University Mini-conference, “Advice for Action: Promoting Good Feedback Practice” proposal and booking
Clark, D. (12/10/2020) “Practice – mostly forgotten yet where most learning takes place…“, Donald Clark Plan B
Crook, A. & Crook, T. W. (26/8/2020) “6 tips for Teaching Online and In Person Simultaneously“, Inside Higher Ed
EdTech VoiceNotes podcast series
Dyer, S & Harris, L. (16/10/2020) “Let’s take the remote out of online learning“, WonkHE blog
Hiscox, T. J. (11/10/2020) “E-learning in the face of a pandemic through the eyes of the students” Post-Pandemic University
Penn, P. (16/10/2020) “How to plan your essays: key advice from psychology”
Thomas, (16/10/2020) “Learning theories timeline: key ideas from educational psychology“, myBRAINisOPEN
RAISE Researching, “Advancing & Inspiring Student Engagement Partnership Special Interest Group Resources”
Retrieval Practice, (11/5/2018) “Boost note-taking. Try Retrieve-Taking!” Weekly Teaching Tips
Sundar, K. (17/9/2020) “The Student Engagement Trap, and How to Avoid It” Edutopia
Swansea University, “Resources for Teaching”

Weekly Resource Roundup – 12/10/2020

12th October 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

14/10/2020 Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Kent. “Designing for online learning: Practical implications from research on learning design and student self-regulated learning”
14/10/2020 TILE Network (Teaching Innovation and Learning Enhancement). “Digital Learning in our New Normal”
19/10/2020 Aberystwyth University Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit. “Academy forum – Why and how to help students to reflect on their learning?”
19/10/2020 Aberystwyth University Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit. “Academy forum – creating podcasts in Panopto“
21/10/2020 Centre for Distance Education, University of London. “Supporting Student Success 2020 – Digital Assessment Practice”
4/11/2020 Jisc. “Learning and teaching reimagined, a new dawn for higher education?”
18/11/2020 Transforming Assessment. “Defending assessment against e-Cheating: design and standards”
19/11/2020 Transforming Assessment. “Re-imagining assessment to “robot-proof” our students”
15-16/12/2020 ALT (Association for Learning Technology). “Online Winter Conference”
Aberystwyth University, Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit. “Training Resources from CPD sessions”
Aberystwyth University, Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit. “Academy Forums 2020/21”
Hibbitts, P. “Student-Generated Assessment Questions – The Journey So Far“, Simon Fraser University.
Latheef, Z. (13/7/2020) “Synchronous Strategies for the ‘New Normal’“. Faculty Focus.
McMurtry, B. (7/10/2020) “The New Rules of Engagement – It can be a struggle to create a vibrant online classroom where all students feel connected. Here’s how some professors are making it happen”. Chronicle of Higher Education.
Mihai, A. (28/8/2020) “What’s Your Story? – Designing Asynchronous Activities.” The Educationalist.
Technology Enhanced Learning at York St John University (5/10/2020) “5 Days of Formative Assessment”
UCL. “Connected Learning Essentials – now open to teaching staff outside of UCL”
UCLA Library, “Writing Instruction + Research Education – Quick and practical research and writing tutorials, collaboratively designed by students at UCLA.”

Additional MS Teams Drop-in Sessions

8th October 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [sil12] Microsoft Teams, Online Teaching, Training and Support Leave a comment

Following the success of our drop-in sessions on using MS Teams for Learning and Teaching Activities, we have decided to run these sessions throughout October.

These sessions are an informal opportunity to speak with our Online Learning Specialists and to address any queries that may have arisen during the first weeks of term. You’re welcome to ask us for advice on any aspects relating to using MS Teams – from technical advice to advice on using MS Teams for students who are unable to join face-to-face sessions.

*Please note that sessions with an asterisk (*) will be bilingual sessions, and all sessions without an asterisk will run as English-medium sessions.

These drop-in sessions will take place on:

09.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

13.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

14.10.2020 (14:00-15:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

16.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

20.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

21.10.2020 (14:00-15:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

23.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

27.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

28.10.2020 (14:00-15:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

30.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting *

MS Teams: Drop-in Sessions

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We would like to offer all staff members at the University the opportunity to join us in our drop-in sessions on using MS Teams for Learning and Teaching Activities. These will be an informal opportunity to speak with our Online Learning Specialists and to address any queries that may have arisen during the first weeks of term.

All drop-in sessions will be held via MS Teams and there is no need to book, just click on the links below.

These drop-in sessions will take place on:

06.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

07.10.2020 (14:00-15:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

09.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

13.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

14.10.2020 (14:00-15:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

16.10.2020 (10:00-11:00): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

We hope that these sessions will provide you with an opportunity to clarify any questions about your teaching needs.

MS Teams: 10 Common Questions

2nd October 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [sil12] Blackboard, HyFlex, Microsoft Teams, Online Teaching, Panopto, Training and Support Leave a comment

Following training sessions that we have conducted over the past few weeks on using MS Teams for learning and teaching activities, here are answers to 10 common questions. Further information on using MS Teams can be found in our Microsoft Teams FAQs, and please do not hesitate getting in touch with us if you have any further queries (lteu@aber.ac.uk).

Q1: If I am sharing my screen can I still see the chat function?
A1: Unfortunately, unless you have two screens then this will not be possible. You could either ask a student to monitor the chat for you or you could stop sharing your screen from time to time to check what has been posted in the chat. There are some advanced share screen options that may enable you to see the chat in some instances, and we’re happy to discuss these with you further.

Q2: I would like to add an external individual from outside Aberystwyth University to one of my ‘teams’ within MS Teams, is this possible?
A2: It is possible to add external individuals who have an Office 365 account with an ac.uk domain, but any external individual who has an email account that is not an ac.uk address will need to complete a request form to have their domain added to AU Teams access. Alternatively, you could set up meetings with external individuals through MS Teams without having to request access.

Q3: After recording a meeting, how would I access the recording and how long is it available for?
A3: After ending a meeting the recording will appear in the meeting’s chat and this will be available to download for 22 days. Please familiarise yourself with the University’s Lecture Capture Policy for details on what type of sessions are appropriate to record.

Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Staff Development Programme

1st October 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [sil12] Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Events and Networks, Resources and Webinars, Training and Support Leave a comment

This year’s Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Staff Development programme (2020/21) will be delivered online, with the majority of the workshops being pre-recorded and placed on the Resources Portal (Porth Adnoddau), so that staff can follow them when it is most convenient for them. Some of the workshops are already on the Resources Portal, and more will be added over the coming weeks.

In addition to pre-recorded workshops, some will also be held live. Here is a snapshot of some of the live sessions (please note that all sessions are in the medium of Welsh):

October 2020
• Tuesday (October 6), 09:30-10:00 – Cyfres Iechyd a Lles: chi fel staff a’ch myfyrwyr (1/3)
• Tuesday (October 13), 09:30-10:00 – Cyfres Iechyd a Lles: chi fel staff a’ch myfyrwyr (2/3)
• Tuesday (October 20), 09:30-10:00 – Cyfres Iechyd a Lles: chi fel staff a’ch myfyrwyr (3/3)

January 2021
• Wednesday (27 January), 15:00-16:30 – Gweminar dysgu ac addysgu (rhannu arfer dda o ddysgu cyfunol)

June 2021
• Wednesday (June 23), 15:00-16:30 – Gweminar dysgu ac addysgu (rhannu arfer dda o ddysgu cyfunol)
• Tuesday (June 29) – Welsh-medium Research Conference (form and location TBC)

Take a look at the full programme for 2020/21 and follow this link to register.

Useful Information: Online Teaching

29th September 202028th April 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, Online Teaching, Other Tools, Training and Support, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE) Leave a comment

Setting up sessions through MS Teams:

Unless otherwise agreed, Microsoft Teams should be used to run all online teaching sessions.
Details of online teaching sessions should be posted in Blackboard (see our FAQ how to set up a Teams meeting in Blackboard?).
Please note that for any sessions set up through Blackboard, students will be able to use the link to join the session 15 minutes before the chosen start time. Any time prior to this, students have the option to add the session to their Office365 calendars (see our student FAQ).

Keeping students informed:

Use the announcements feature in Blackboard to communicate with your students. (See our FAQ How do I add an announcement to my Blackboard module?)
Ensure that your Blackboard contacts page has your contact information and clear instructions on how and when students should contact you.

Delivering online sessions from the University:

If required, you may come into the University to deliver your online session from the teaching rooms in the allotted timetabled slots. Please ensure you are using the correct room and time allocated to your activity.

CPD sessions:

The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit will be running a number of CPD sessions for staff members over the coming weeks, focusing specifically on online learning and teaching and associated E-learning tools.

For any technical assistance with using MS Teams or any of the E-learning tools, please email elearning@aber.ac.uk. If you wish to discuss any aspect of learning and teaching, please email lteu@aber.ac.uk.

Digital Education Group

Aberystwyth University

Category: Training and Support