As more and more materials are made available online, including pre-recorded lectures, it is easy to become overwhelmed: in addition to adapting teaching materials for this different type of delivery and streamlining information into shorter instalments, the practical aspects of recording videos for teaching can be daunting. But fear not! The Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit has created two guides, a Video Recording Checklist and Video Recording Tips.
It is important to remember that no one expects a perfect greenscreen or Minority Report– style, interactive multi-stream extravaganza. If you follow the checklist, you will ensure your videos will be of a consistently solid standard, without much hassle. The tips offer you extra help with improving your video recording skills.
If you have any further questions, want additional guidance, or seek clarifications, remember that the LTEU is only an email away, at lteu@aber.ac.uk and elearning@aber.ac.uk.
Category: Training and Support
Hello from one of your newly appointed Online Learning Specialists
Hello, I’m Sioned, one of three newly appointed Online Learning Specialists who have recently joined the Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit (LTEU).
Having been born and raised in Aberystwyth, I am very excited to return to the University, having completed my BSc, MSc and PhD at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences (DGES). Whilst completing my PhD, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at DGES on a variety of Welsh- and English-medium modules and I became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2019. Since July 2019 I have been employed at Menter a Busnes, in the first instance undertaking research into measuring greenhouse gas emissions on Welsh farms and then as Development and Mentoring Manager, providing guidance to facilitators running face-to-face and online discussion groups with Welsh farmers.
I look forward to drawing on my past experiences, learning from other colleagues in LTEU and from staff members more generally across the University, to share best practices on delivering high-quality teaching to Aberystwyth University students through virtual channels. As a first-language Welsh speaker, I am also very excited to be given the opportunity to help develop the provision of Welsh-medium online teaching training courses to university staff.
If you’d like to discuss anything related to online learning, please feel free to contact me in Welsh or English on sil12@aber.ac.uk.
Hello from your other new Online Learning Specialist.
Sut mae, pawb!
I am Lara, a new member of the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit (LTEU) for the next six months. I’ve been offered this opportunity to introduce myself.
I am originally from Germany, Bavaria to be precise. I grew up in the Alps, and I still miss the mountains from time to time. But the sea, and the hills of Wales are very good substitutes.
I came to Aberystwyth in 2009 to study Joint Honours Scenography & Theatre Design and Drama & Theatre Studies. I fell in love with Aberystwyth, the place, and the people. As my undergraduate studies drew to a close, one of my tutors recommended I apply for the Access to Masters programme, so I did. This brilliant EU initiative sadly no longer exists. As part of this programme, I studied on the MA Practising Theatre & Performance, and was partnered with the Magic of Life Butterfly House in Cwm Rheidol. I applied for a PhD at Aberystwyth University, as my MA supervisor encouraged me, and helped me develop a proposal. I was offered the Doctoral Career Development Scholarship. One week after my viva voce – the final examination for a PhD – I was offered a full-time lecturing post at the University of Derby in the midlands.
Even though they say that if you stay more than five years in Aberystwyth, you’ll never leave, after seven years I packed my bag and moved from the sea to the place furthest from the sea on the UK mainland…but, as you can guess from my writing this, the mysterious gravity of Aber soon pulled me back. I returned to my alma mater for sessional and part-time teaching, while offering freelance workshops, and tutoring privately alongside. I started learning Welsh, which has been great fun and something I recommend to everyone, especially those usually in a teaching position. It’s extremely useful to put ourselves into learners’ shoes from time to time.
I have always enjoyed learning, and was very fortunate that I had exceptional teachers all throughout my education, not least at Aberystwyth University. Now I am on the other side, I continually strive to become that kind of educator: one that learners trust, and feel encouraged by to do their best. Joining the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit is the next step for me, developing ways to support staff with all their teaching and learning needs. Now more than ever, this is essential work, as we all learn to deal with the unprecedented crisis of a global pandemic, and strive to minimise its impact on our students.
If you’re interested in my creative practice, research, or publications, I point you towards my personal website.
Hello from your new Online Learning Specialist!
My name is Ania and I am one of the three Online Learning Specialists joining the LTEU.
Some of you may recognise me as I have previously worked with Information Services, at first as Communications, Marketing and E-learning Support Officer and then as part of the E-learning Group providing technical support to staff and overseeing smooth running of online exams. In the summer of 2019, I left Aberystwyth to pursue a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology. During my degree, I also worked for Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union as a Volunteer Centre Coordinator.
I would have never guessed I will be given the opportunity to join the LTEU once again. I am extremely grateful to be able to work alongside such a supportive team and contribute to the further development of, already outstanding, teaching at AU. Throughout my time of working at AU in the I have always been inspired by the dedication and creativity of AU teaching staff. I look forward to learning from your expertise and work alongside each one of you in delivering high-quality online teaching to our students. I am hoping to draw on research in the area of Positive Education, providing you with (hopefully) an interesting and transformative perspective of students’ basic psychological needs and their motivation for learning. It is clear that the upcoming year will be full of challenges for students as well as staff and I am hoping to provide you with the support and knowledge needed for you to develop online teaching that is sustainable, in line with your methods and the needs of your students.
I look forward to meeting you.
Please feel free to contact with me any queries comments: aeu@aber.ac.uk
Ania
Weekly Resource Roundup – 31/8/2020
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.
- 7/9/2020 FutureLearn, “Making Blended Education Work – free online course starting on 7 September”
- 17/9/2020 University of East London, “Learning and Teaching Symposium: Advancing Futures in HE”
- 22/9/2020 Pedagogy and Pancakes, “Formative assessment using Socrative and Zoom for physiology teaching during COVID-19 crisis” and “What’s the problem? Consider using Problem-based Learning in Higher Education”
- Amrane-Cooper, L. (11/8/2020) “Putting 110,000 examinations online – how are we doing?” University of London News and Opinion
- Denworth, L. (12/8/2020) “Debate Arises over Teaching “Growth Mindsets” to Motivate Students“, Scientific American
- Gibbs, B. & Wood, G. C., eds. (2020). Emerging Stronger: Lasting Impact from
Crisis Innovation. Godalming: Engineering Professors’ Council - Headleand, C. “Pedagogy and Pancakes webinar series”
- Jisc (27/8/2020) “Digital Learning Rebooted: From fixes to foresight: Jisc and Emerge Education insights for universities and startups”
- Munday, D. “Digital Education – Looking to support the educational community with advice, guidance and support to develop teaching, learning and assessment using educational technology”
- Thomas, A. (12/8/2020) “How the SAMR learning model can help build a post-COVID digital strategy“, Jisc Blog
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.
Additional online learning support for teaching staff
Recent months brought an expected rapid demand for high-quality online teaching. As in the upcoming academic year a large part of teaching will continue to be delivered online, the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit will be joined by three Online Learning Specialists. They will support the LTEU in designing and delivering an ambitious programme of training for all teaching staff at AU. This programme aims to make sure that all AU staff are able to deliver pedagogically effective teaching and learning activities, in our new learning and teaching conditions.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new team members.
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit
Weekly Resource Roundup – 24/8/2020
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.
- 25/8/2020 Advance HE “‘On Your Marks’: Vignette Presentations on Learner-Focused Feedback Practices and Feedback Literacy”
- 26/8/2020 “Panopto Advanced Training Webinar – Video Editing”
- NSW Government Education “Cognitive load theory: Research that teachers really need to understand”
- Clay, J. “Lost in Translation – a series of blog posts about translating existing teaching practices into online models of delivery”
- Dennen, V. (15/8/2020) “Discussion board guidelines”
- DePaul Teaching Commons, “Assessing Reflection”
- Gonzalez, J. (24/9/2017) “Retrieval Practice: The Most Powerful Learning Strategy You’re Not Using“, The Cult of Pedagogy
- Reddy, K., Harland, T., Wass, R. & Wald, D. (23/6/2020) “Student peer review as a process of knowledge creation through dialogue“, Higher Education Research & Development
- Learning Scientists, “The Six Habits of Highly Successful Students”
- Smith, N. (14/1/2020) “A decade of education theory; the rise and rise of cognitive science of learning“, St.Emlyn’s
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 – 10/8/2020
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.
- 3/8 – 14/9/2020 National STEM Learning Centre, FutureLearn MOOC, “The Science of Learning”
- 11/8/2020 AbilityNet, “Accessibility Insights with Neil Milliken of Atos”
- 3/9/2020 RAISE, “Messy evaluation’ and curriculum design – The pandemic is revolutionising how learning happens and it’s more important than ever to keep track of the effect of change on how students learn and achieve. This event will explore ways in which ‘messy’ real world evaluation can help improve curricula and student outcomes.”
- 17/9/2020 UEL Learning and Teaching Symposium: Advancing Futures in HE, “This year the conference has four main themes: Equity, equality and inclusion; Employability and digital skills; Innovative pedagogies; Student retention and progression.”
- 20-21/8/2020 European Sociological Association Research Network 10 – Sociology of Education – in association with Dundalk Institute of Technology and the Department of Sociology at Trinity College, Dublin “International Conference – Inclusive Education and Society in a Time of Change: Theories, Policies and Practices”
- LTEU Teaching and Learning Continuity Teaching Tips, “Guidance on recording seminars and Teams activities”
- Carless, D. (4/8/2020) “Developing learner-focused feedback practices“, Advance HE
- Deans for Impact (2015). The Science of Learning. Austin, TX: Deans for Impact. “The Science of Learning summarizes existing cognitive-science research on how students learn, and connects it to practical implications for teaching. The report is a resource for teacher-educators, new teachers, and anyone in the education profession who is interested in how learning takes place.”
- Griffiths, S. (29/9/2017) “How we learn – the science of learning”
- Hinchcliffe, T. (20/7/2020) “Making practical-based subjects work online“, Advance HE
- Learning Designed, “Embracing learner variability and developing expert learners is at the heart of our work and our commitment to strengthening and growing the UDL community.”
- Lecture Remotely, “The site for Higher Education lecturers and institutions to find and share resources and support for remote teaching, assessment and student support in response to COVID-19”
- Thistlewaite, I. (23/4/2020) “6 Things To Consider Before Moving Your Teaching Labs Online“, Learning Science
- Weinstein, Y., Madan, C.R. & Sumeracki, M.A. (2018) “Teaching the science of learning” Cognitive Research (3)2
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 – 3/8/2020
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.
- 3/8/2020 16:00-17:00 AdvanceHE Staff Development Forum #CoachingHE Twitter chat, “Preparing for the new academic year: stories, leadership and purpose”
- 5/8/2020 Transforming Assessment, “Adapting to COVID19 by ignoring proctoring: catalysing alignment of online teaching, learning and assessment”
- 13/8/2020 Blackboard, “Creating an inclusive online environment for diverse learners”
- 26-27/8/2020 ALT Summer Summit
- Academy Podcast, University of Liverpool. “Doctoral Supervision”
- Carless, D. (28/7/2020). “From teacher transmission of information to student feedback literacy: Activating the learner role in feedback processes“, Active Learning in Higher Education
- Jisc (10/7/2020). “Developing blended learning approaches”
- Open University Learning Design. “Collaborative Activities: a guide to good practice”
- SHIFT, University of Greenwich, “Call for proposals, Radically reimagining Higher Education for a new era: working together for a just and sustainable future”
- Stamov, R. C., Lo, B. K., & Fitzallen, N. (4/7/2020). “Constructive alignment and the learning experience: relationships with student motivation and perceived learning demands“. Higher Education Research and Development, 1-14. 6
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 – 28/7/2020
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.
- 28/10/2020 Advance HE, “Assessment and Feedback Symposium 2020: Assessment and feedback in the pandemic era: A time for learning and inclusion”
- ACUE, “Inclusive Practices Toolkit“:
“Ensure your course reflects a diverse society and world.
Ensure course media are accessible.
Ensure your syllabus sets the tone for diversity and inclusion.
Use inclusive language.
Share your gender pronouns.
Learn and use students’ preferred names.
Engage students in a small-group introductions activity.
Use an interest survey to connect with students.
Offer inclusive office hours.
Set expectations for valuing diverse viewpoints.”
- Advance HE, “Flexible learning comes of age”
- Bryn Mawr University, Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education
- Centre for Distance Education University of London, “The Future of Social, Creative and Experiential Digital learning. The webinar can be viewed on YouTube.”
- Cook-Sather, A. and Bala, N. “Naming and Navigating Troubling Transitions: Pedagogical Partnership during the Pandemic,” Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education 30 (2020)
- Jisc, “Connect More – You can now catch up on all the available slides and recordings from Connect More – the online event looking at how to elevate the student experience. There are also community groups you can join if you’d like to continue conversations with peers.”
- Stoner, M. “Understanding Plagiarism Workshop Lesson Plan from Sacramento State University”
- University of Saskatchewan, “JSGS Workshop: Activities on Avoiding Plagiarism”
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.