So Long, and Thanks for All the…

28th July 202114th July 2021 Lara Kipp [lak22] Online Teaching, Uncategorised 1 Comment

…challenges, suggestions, and insights into many different departments at the university! The last 11 months have been an absolute blast working with the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit as an Online Learning Specialist.

Having started with the 2020 Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, it was wonderful to be able to be a part of the 2021 instance of the same event towards the end of my time in this job. This time round, I even presented (albeit in my role as Lecturer in Theatre and Scenography with TFTS) – you can find the recording of that paper here. Those two events bracket an intense time of learning and teaching for me: alongside my lovely colleagues, I designed, developed, and delivered training sessions on everything from Blackboard to Vevox. I supported staff from all kinds of departments in the switch from in-person to blended learning, to online-only, and back. It is no exaggeration to say I am in awe of the dedication, determination, and ingenuity displayed by colleagues all over the university. I am sure that the resources produced by the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit will continue to support staff as we head towards another academic year potentially full of necessary adaptations. Keep an eye on the Staff Training pages – I for one will be sure to make use of them.

As my Online Learning Specialist colleagues and I move on to other challenges, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all Information Services colleagues, and especially the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit, for being so welcoming and allowing me to gain a much deeper understanding of and appreciation for the many-facetted work of that department. Diolch o galon i gyd!

How to make asynchronous recordings engaging and interactive

14th January 202128th April 2021 Lara Kipp [lak22] Online Teaching, Panopto, Training and Support Leave a comment

Pre-recorded asynchronous content has become a key factor in delivering courses and enabling the best learning experience for students at Aberystwyth University. There are several strategies that lecturers can use to make these recordings both engaging and interactive.

The benefits of asynchronous pre-recorded lectures are manifold, and most students – as the so-called YouTube generation – know this mode of learning extremely well (Scagnoli, Choo & Tian, 2019). Benefits include that students control their engagement with the content and value the convenience and flexibility that asynchronous recordings provide them with, in particular regarding the pace of their learning, and the repeatability of their engagement (Dale & Pymm, 2009; Ramlogan et al., 2014; Scagnoli, Choo & Tian, 2019). It is therefore essential that staff outline what is expected of students in terms of engaging with learning materials, both in pre-recorded videos and in-person sessions.

Continued Professional Development – What’s on Offer?

10th November 202028th April 2021 Lara Kipp [lak22] Resources and Webinars, Training and Support Leave a comment

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

Two guides: a Video Recording Checklist and Video Recording Tips

10th September 202028th April 2021 Lara Kipp [lak22] Online Teaching, Panopto, Training and Support Leave a comment

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.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 31/8/2020

31st August 202028th April 2021 Mary Jacob [mhj] Online Teaching, Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

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.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 17/8/2020

17th August 202028th April 2021 Mary Jacob [mhj] E-submission, Events and Networks, Online Teaching, Resources and Webinars, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

19/8/2020 Jisc, “Learning and teaching reimagined: digital innovation”
7/9/2020 FutureLearn, “Making Blended Education Work – free online course”
17/9/2020 “UEL Learning and Teaching Symposium”
16/10/2020 HEPPP Research Network Symposium, “Exploring Expertise in Teaching in Higher Education Symposium”
Association for Learning Technology, Research in Learning Technology 28 (August 2020)
Boettcher, Judith. “Ten Best Practices for Teaching Online“. Designing for Learning
Bottcher, Judith. “3 Ways to Enhance Your Online Instruction“. ACUE Community
Brown, Sally. (17/8/2020) “Raspberries, (w)Riting, Reflection, Rage, Reading, Running around, Ruminating and Relaxing – designing better assessments post-Covid“. Assessment, Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Screenshot extracted from blog post — Image extracted from Brown and Sambell, “Writing better assignments in the post-Covid19 era: approaches to good task design”

Brown, Sally and Kay Sambell. (August 2020) “Writing Better Assignments in the Post-Covid19 Era: approaches to good task design”
Chavez, Monica. (14/7/2020) “6 papers on education to read this summer to prepare for blended teaching and learning: Ideas for a journal club“. ALT Blog
Jisc Member Stories. (6/8/2020) “Challenge-based learning: rethinking student engagement”
Jisc Podcasts. (6/8/2020) “Beyond the technology: University of Lincoln – using games to engage students”
Jisc. “Learning and Teaching Reimagined (resources)”
Learning and Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences (June 2020) 13(2)
Salim, Z. (2020). “Active Learning while Physically Distancing 2.0“. The Aga Khan University.

Weekly Resource Roundup – 3/8/2020

3rd August 202028th April 2021 Mary Jacob [mhj] Events and Networks, Online Teaching, Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Uncategorised, Weekly Resource Roundup Leave a comment

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

Weekly Resource Roundup 15/6/2020

15th June 202010th May 2021 Mary Jacob [mhj] Events and Networks, Online Teaching, Panopto, Resources and Webinars, Training and Support, Uncategorised, Virtual Learning Environment(VLE) Leave a comment

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.

Calling @AberUni staff. Do you use short Panopto lectures or Panopto quizzes in your online teaching? We’re after examples to use in our new good practice module. Email lteu@aber.ac.uk if you’d like to share your materials with us.

18/6/2020 “TILE Network – Back To School: What Did We Do? What Did We Learn?” https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-back-to-school-what-did-we-do-what-did-we-learn-registration-109125816254
23/6/2020 “How to localise ABC Learning Design?” https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-4-abc-ld-localisation-tickets-108845020386 Twitter https://twitter.com/ABC_LD
24/6/2020 “ALT – Preparing for our ‘new normal’: how can effective student feedback help universities to survive and thrive in the next academic year? Student feedback webinar. Topics to be covered include; Is student evaluation still as important, and what does this look like in the ‘new normal’?; How are universities developing their student feedback mechanisms to reflect what the next academic year is really going to be like?; What are the new, and emerging opportunities, for capturing student feedback?; Is it possible to engage the dis-engaged and traditionally harder-to-reach groups?; How are academic and professional teams being supported to deliver this agenda?” https://go.alt.ac.uk/3e1Xvbe
24/6/2020 “Ucisa – Virtual Stratified Medicine Lab – intro to basic lab skills. (Designing a virtual lab tour to promote the learning and teaching of Stratified Medicine)” https://www.ucisa.ac.uk/Events/2020/June/Spotlight-on-Digital-capabilities-webinar-2
“Teaching Innovation & Learning Enhancement (TILE network)“ blog https://tile.psy.gla.ac.uk/blog/ Twitter https://twitter.com/TILEnetwork
Association for Learning Technology (ALT), “Call for chapters: Designing Courses with Digital Technologies: Evidence and Examples by and for Higher Education Instructors” Higher education is currently undergoing a digital transformation. As most higher education institutions are integrating digital technologies, instructors need guidance. In this book, to be published by Routledge, instructors from around the world, representing different subject disciplines, will write short chapters with concrete examples of how they use digital technologies to support teaching and learning informed by evidence. The book will be written by and for instructors. https://go.alt.ac.uk/30MLdQf
Educause Review, “Editor’s Picks”: “Can HyFlex Options Support Students in the Midst of Uncertainty?”, “Teaching during COVID-19: Why We’re Fortunate”, “Orienting Students to Online Learning: A Must for Student Success” https://er.educause.edu/editors-picks
Gierdowski, Dana and Joseph Galanek, “ECAR Study of the Technology Needs of Students with Disabilities, 2020 – building accessible infrastructure for all students with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)”, Educause Review, 1/6/2020 https://er.educause.edu/blogs/2020/6/ecar-study-of-the-technology-needs-of-students-with-disabilities-2020
Okpala, Jude, “COVID-19, Online Learning, and Beijing Jiaotong University, Weihai: Outbreak Narrative or Paradigm Shift?”, Educause Review, 28/5/2020 https://er.educause.edu/articles/2020/5/covid-19-online-learning-and-beijing-jiaotong-university-weihai-outbreak-narrative-or-paradigm-shift
O’Toole, Robert, “Peer learning and breakout groups in live online lectures”, 20/5/2020 http://www.inspireslearning.com/journal/peer-learning-and-breakout-groups-in-live-online-lectures/
Rossi, Virna, “Inclusive Learning Design – a rich picture”, https://inclusivelearningdesign.com/inclusive-tree/

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.