Mini Conference Programme Announced

On Thursday 16th December, the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit will be hosting the second Academy Mini-Conference online of this academic year.

The theme will be ‘Using Polling Software to Enhance Learning and Teaching Activities’. Since we procured Vevox earlier this year, we’ve seen a proliferation in the use of polling software in learning and teaching activities.

The Mini-Conference will run from 10:30-15:00. We’re excited to confirm our programme:

Dr Christina Stanley – keynote (Chester University): Polling to boost student confidence and promote inclusivity
Joe Probert & Izzy Whitley: Vevox
Dr Maire Gorman (Physics & Graduate School): Inter & Intra-cohort bonding (and peer learning) in statistics teaching
Bruce Wight (Aberystwyth Business School): How much does a Polar Bear weigh? Enough to break the ice! Using Vevox for Icebreaker Activities
Dr Jennifer Wood (Modern Languages): Is there anybody out there? Using Polling Software in the Language Classroom: Breaching the void.

For session abstracts and timings, please see the programme on our webpages.

We hope that you will be able to join us.

You can register to attend the Mini-Conference by clicking on this link.

If you have any queries, please email lteu@aber.ac.uk.

Component Marks Transfer

24th November 202124th November 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, E-submission, Turnitin Leave a comment

As December starts to approach, we thought it would be useful to outline the support available for the Component Marks Transfer process. This process transfers marks from the Blackboard Grade Centre columns into AStRA’s Assessment marks per Module (STF080) page.

The tool is available in each Blackboard module and also in the Component Marks tool in MyAdmin. Departmental Administrative Staff are able to view and transfer modules for each module in their department whereas Module Co-ordinators are able to view and transfer marks for their modules.

To support the Component Marks Transfer process, we have:

Training Sessions on:
- Monday 13^th December, 11am-12pm
- Wednesday 5^th January, 1pm-2pm

Book your place online.

If you have any questions about this process, email elearning@aber.ac.uk.

Academy Forum 2: Designing Blended Learning

23rd November 202123rd November 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Academy Forum, Online Teaching Leave a comment

Our next Academy Forum will be taking place online on Thursday 2^nd December, 10am-11.30am. In this Academy Forum, participants will be sharing their experiences and approaches to designing blended learning.

In response to the pandemic, many of us had to adapt our teaching practices considerably. For most, this relied on an increase in the use of technology and online activities for students to undertake in their own time asynchronously. Blended Learning design looks at how you might approach or integrate online interactions with face-to-face teaching.

Participants will be reflecting on their current approaches to teaching and how they design online and face to face activities. We’ll be looking at some frameworks that will be helpful in planning for blended learning and be thinking about strategies for successfully and gracefully integrating online teaching into face to face interactions, and face to face interactions into online teaching.

Take a look at our overview of forthcoming Academy Forums and book your place online.

If you have any questions, then please contact us: lteu@aber.ac.uk.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 22/11/2021

22nd November 202122nd November 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, 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

22/11-1/12/2021 Centre for Research and Improvement of Education (CIME), Second Virtual Meeting on Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Higher Education
26/11/2021 Future Teacher Webinars, Open Educational Resources (OER) – make, find, use, reuse, learn to love
1/12/2021 Digitally Enhanced Education Webinars, Multimedia and accessibility: Making online work for everyone
2/12/2021 UKAT Symposium, Tutoring Matters – Sharing the Secret of Our Success
8/12/2021 Echo 360, Developing Inclusive Educational Practices with Video-Based Learning
Multiple dates through 2/2022 AdvanceHE, Inclusive learning and teaching workshop series
11-12/1/2022 University of Nottingham, Designing Programmes for Learning: Foundations and Aspirations
8-9/3/3022 Jisc, Digifest

Resources and publications

K. Patricia Cross Academy (n.d.), Exploring Schema in Your Class: Techniques to Activate Prior Knowledge set of short videos and text
Noetel M., Griffith S., Delaney O., et al. (16/2/2021), Video Improves Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review, Review of Educational Research. 2021;91(2):204-236
O’Toole, R. (n.d.), Hybrid, Warwick University Arts Faculty Technology Enhanced Active Learning, “Guide to hybrid teaching and learning”
RMIT University, Australia (n.d.), Writing with authority tutorial, Learning Lab
Rowan, A. & Neves, J. (11/11/2021), 2021 UK Engagement Survey (UKES), AdvanceHE
STAMMA/Stammerers Through University Consultancy/London South Bank University (15/6/2021), Supporting Students Who Stammer in Higher Education
Teaching Matters Podcast (18/11/2021), Decolonising the Curriculum – Sharing Ideas with David Kluth (15 mins)
Thomson, P. (15/11/2021), the disappearing writer – a redrafting strategy, Patter
Threshold Concepts in the Moment conference archive, Threshold Concepts Blog
van Dijk, E. E., van Tartwijk, J., van der Schaaf, M. F. & Kluijtmans, M. (2020), What makes an expert university teacher? A systematic review and synthesis of frameworks for teacher expertise in higher education, Educational Research Review, Volume 310
White, D. (20/6/2020), Visitors & Residents – teaching during Coronavirus, Dave White: Digital – Learning – Culture
Yan, Z. & Carless, D. (11/11/2021), Self-assessment is about more than self: the enabling role of feedback literacy, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education

Other

Call for papers 30/11/2021: Advance HE, Teaching and Learning Conference 2022: Teaching in the spotlight: Where next for enhancing student success?
Call for papers 21/12/2021: Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Conference
Call for papers 24/1/2022: Assessment in Higher Education (AHE) Conference, Contemporary assessment practice in the new age of higher education “If you would like to discuss the relevance of your project to the conference please contact one of the convenors: Kay Sambell kay.sambell@cumbria.ac.uk Linda Graham linda.graham@sunderland.ac.uk or Pete Boyd pete.boyd@cumbria.ac.uk“

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.

Exemplary Course Award 2022 Submissions Open

15th November 202115th November 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Blackboard, Exemplary Course Award, Exemplary Course Award Leave a comment

We’re really pleased to announce that this year’s Exemplary Course Award is now open for submissions with a deadline of 12 noon on Monday 31^st January 2022.

Continuing with the same process as last year, we’ve got a streamlined approach to the award.

Applicants will be asked to outline their 3 standout practices in relation to their module, before identifying which criteria the module meets. Applicants are welcome to submit a Panopto recording including a module tour.

If you’re considering submitting an award, we’ve got training for applicants on:

8^th December, 2pm-3.30pm
14^th January, 11am-12.30pm

You can book your place at these training sessions via the Course Booking page.

Further information, including the criteria, is available on our webpages, where you can also access an application form.

If you’re looking for ideas, then check out a recording of last year’s winner and highly commended winners.

If you’ve got any questions, then do not hesitate to contact us (elearning@aber.ac.uk).

Weekly Resource Roundup – 8/11/2021

8th November 20218th November 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

Online events and webinars

9/11/2021 #CreativeHE, Homestretch: Bringing Embodied Creativity to Postgraduate Support During Covid
10/11/2021 Echo 360, Reimagining Learner Engagement and Assessment in Blended Learning
11/11/2021 SEDA, CPD and Reflective Practice – Opportunities for meaningful outcomes
16/11/2021 TILE Network, Shifting the Dial to Include Those ‘Not in Education’
18/11/2021 Media & Learning, Online conference on Managing and innovating video-based services in Higher Education
8/12/2021 Echo 360, Developing Inclusive Educational Practices with Video-Based Learning
Multiple dates through 2/2022 AdvanceHE, Inclusive learning and teaching workshop series
8-9/3/3022 Jisc, Digifest

Resources and publications

Anthony, P., Digitally Enhanced Education Webinars YouTube channel, University of Kent
Association for Learning Technology, CPD Webinars YouTube channel
Carless, D. (6/11/2021), Feedback Seeking, Personal Website of Professor David Carless
Fallin, L. & Watling, D. (20/10/2021), Designing for Diverse Learners Poster [3.2.2], University of Hull
Groshell, Z. (30/10/2021), Demystifying Learning through Examples, Education Rickshaw
Henderson M, Ryan T, Boud D, et al. (1/11/2021), The usefulness of feedback, Active Learning in Higher Education. 2021;22(3):229-243.
JLDHE (31/10/2021), Special Issue: Compendium of Innovative Practice: Learning Development in a Time of Disruption, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education
Newton, F. J., Wright, J. D. & Newton, J. D. (2014), Skills training to avoid inadvertent plagiarism: results from a randomised control study, Higher Education Research & Development, 33:6, 1180-1193
Reedy, K. (22/10/2021), Learning from practice: refreshing the OU activity types framework, Reflection and Resources from the Open University Learning Design Team
Sherrington, T. (17/10/2021), Check for Understanding… why it matters and how to do it. #rEDSurrey21, Teacherhead
Think UDL (2/11/2021), Ultimate Collection of Go-to Faculty Resources with Danielle Hinton (1 hour podcast)
Thomson, S. (27/10/2021), Is HyFlex in flux?, Digisim
Traxler, J. (4/11/2021), Decolonising Learning Technology, Education Observatory

Other

Call for papers 30/11/2021: Advance HE, Teaching and Learning Conference 2022: Teaching in the spotlight: Where next for enhancing student success?
Call for papers 21/12/2021: Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Conference
Call for papers 24/1/2022: Assessment in Higher Education (AHE) Conference, Contemporary assessment practice in the new age of higher education “If you would like to discuss the relevance of your project to the conference please contact one of the convenors: Kay Sambell kay.sambell@cumbria.ac.uk Linda Graham linda.graham@sunderland.ac.uk or Pete Boyd pete.boyd@cumbria.ac.uk“

Changes to Teaching Rooms: Re-introduction of Neck Mics

8th November 20218th November 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Microsoft Teams, Panopto, Teaching Rooms Leave a comment

Information Services is working to re-introduce neck microphones in teaching rooms.

For those who are new to the institution or would like a refresher, neck mics are hooked up to the audio systems in teaching rooms, worn around the neck of the presenter, and can be used for Panopto recordings and Teams Meetings. Take a look at our FAQ on how to use the Neck Microphones.

Health and Safety Information

The reintroduction of neck microphones means that some additional hygiene guidance needs to be followed:

Regular hand hygiene helps to reduce transmission of illnesses and diseases; please wash hands regularly and use the hand sanitisers on entry to buildings.
To reduce contact points, only one person should use the neck microphone in a teaching session
The neck microphone should be wiped down with wipes effective against COVID-19 as per other equipment before and after its use
Although the neck mic gives staff greater freedom to move around the teaching room, staff are encouraged to maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres, where possible, and maintain good hand hygiene practices before and after handling the neck mics (as noted in the Aberystwyth University COVID Risk Assessment October 2021).
In most rooms, the lectern microphones will also stay in place and can still be used (provided staff stay near the lectern). In a small number of rooms, only a neck microphone will be available.

How will the rollout be managed?

Changes to the teaching rooms will be taking place gradually so you may notice the reintroduction of the neck mic imminently. All neck mics will be in place ready for the start of teaching in Semester 2.

Use the neck mic in Panopto

The neck mic can be used on your Panopto recording. When you start Panopto, change the microphone to Neck Mic by clicking on the dropdown menu to the right of the Audio field in the Panopto recorder:

Use the neck mic in Teams Meetings

The neck mic can be used as the microphone Teams meetings. To change your microphone in the Teams meeting:

Select the … more options button:

Screen Grab of Teams Meeting Options

This screen grab shows the options on the top right handside of the screen available in a Teams meeting.

Highlighted is the ... option which stands for more options.

And then Device Settings

Under microphone select Neck Mic.

Further Help

We’ve got our Teaching Room Guide 2021-22 which outlines how to use the teaching room equipment. If you are having difficulties with the teaching room equipment in a centrally timetabled teaching room, pick up a phone and it will come through to the workshop.

Our top tips for organising Online Conferences

2nd November 20212nd November 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Conference Leave a comment

Since the pandemic, many conferences have shifted from face to face to online events. Here in the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit we’ve run two annual learning and teaching conferences online as well as some mini conferences and Academy Forums. In this blogpost, we’ll be offering you some of our top tips to help you organise your event.

1. Choose the right platform

There’s a lot of video conferencing software to choose from, but here at AU we use Teams as our default video conferencing tool. We do have a limited number of licences for Zoom but these are reserved for functionality that can’t be achieved in Teams. For example, for simultaneous translation, or for sessions with more than 250 participants.

You can set up Teams meetings for the sessions from a calendar. Alternatively, you can set up a Teams site but this will be limited to .ac.uk domains so be aware of that, especially with External Speakers.

We like to put our links on a webpage so that we can quickly pass the sessions onto anyone who signs up late. Alternatively, you can use a word document or an email that has the links embedded.

Mini Conference: External Speaker

29th October 202129th October 2021 WordPress User [jbw] Conference, Polling Software, Vevox Leave a comment

We are pleased to announce that our first external speaker joining us at this year’s Mini Conference, Using Polling Software for Learning and Teaching Activities, is Dr Christina Stanley.

Dr Stanley’s session will be entitled Polling to Boost Student Confidence and Promote Inclusivity.

Dr Stanley is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and is MSc Programme Lead and the University of Chester.

Booking for the event on Thursday 16^th December is open alongside our Call for Proposals.

Keep an eye on our blog as we release further information on the event.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 26/10/2021

26th October 202126th October 2021 WordPress User [mhj] Resources and Webinars, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

Online events and webinars

3/11/2021 Transforming Assessment, Digital Equity in Online Assessment
4-5/11/2021 AdvanceHE, Assessment and Feedback Symposium 2021: Putting the Student at the Heart of Assessment and Feedback: Equality, Diversity and Partnership
10/11/2021 Echo 360, Reimagining Learner Engagement and Assessment in Blended Learning
11/11/2021 SEDA, CPD and Reflective Practice – Opportunities for meaningful outcomes
8/12/2021 Echo 360, Developing Inclusive Educational Practices with Video-Based Learning
Multiple dates through 2/2022 AdvanceHE, Inclusive learning and teaching workshop series

Resources and publications

Addie, T. (20/10/2021), What Inclusive Instructors Do: Q&A With Tracie Addy, ACUE (with 2-minute video)
Anthony, P. (8/10/2021), How to share best practice with teachers around the world, Jisc Beyond the Technology podcast series, (39-minute audio podcast).
Bunbury, S., Davies, M., Jones, M., Krajewska, A., Popoola, O., Waddington, L., & Revell, L. (2021), Contract cheating detection for markers: checklist, London and South East Academic Integrity Network
Carless, D. (12/10/2021), Supporting the Development of Student Feedback Literacy
Coe, R., Great Teaching Toolkit, Evidence-based Education: Understanding the content (3-minute video), Creating a supportive environment (2-minute video), Maximising opportunity to learn (2-minute video), Activating hard thinking (3-minute video)
Fallin, L. (21/10/2021), Designing for Diverse Learners Poster version 3.2.2, University of Hull LibGuides
Guccione, K. (21/10/2021), Launching the Are You OK? supervisor toolkit, Supervising PhDs
Jones, K. & Wiliam, D. (13/10/2021), Getting the “Think-Pair-Share” Technique Right, ASCD
Kwok, K., Potter, J., Shaikh, S., & Pritchard, J. (20/10/2021), The practical wisdom of… students? Co-creating a practical resource for HE teachers with students as partners, SEDA blog
Matthews, K. (1/10/2021), Energizing institutional assessment activities with students as partners: Assessment Institute 2021, University of Queensland
Salmon, G. (14/10/2021), Captivating Learning: Storyboarding, OEB Insights
Soon, L. (10/2021), Accessible Equations and Mathematical Text at the University of York
Swingler, M., Wehbe, L., Pringle-Barnes, G., Cleland-Woods, H., Buglass, E., Conlan, V., Sabha, N. & Fournarakis, G. (22/10/2021), Staying Connected: A Toolkit for Effective Groupwork, TILE Network, (11-minute video)
Talbert, R. (30/5/2021), How to write learning objectives