Designing appropriate online staff development for part-time distance teaching staff presents many challenges. Traditionally, much of what is learnt happens ‘on the job’, as staff try out new approaches or meet each other for a chat over coffee (Clus, 2011). In a geographically distributed institution such as The Open University, this sort of situated and social learning is unlikely to take place often, particularly for its part-time staff. In addition, staff often will have the time and motivation to participate only in development or training which is directly relevant to their own working practices and is very timely for them (Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2010). To encourage staff to make the best use of technologies and to adopt them enthusiastically, we need to make development engaging and attractive. In this presentation we discuss how we address these challenges when designing and developing training and development opportunities in the use of Blackboard Collaborate for part-time distance teaching staff in
The Open University. An overview of the various resources and courses we have produced will be discussed, alongside participant perspectives. Our development pathways include experiential and peer learning in cohort groups, exploiting the potential of short online courses (Campbell & Macdonald, 2011), as well as supported self-study routes using online resources. Each of the development pathways we provide allows staff the opportunity to participate in shared reflection, fostering a sense of community (Baran and Correia, 2014; Perry and Edwards, 2009). As well as these main development pathways, ongoing support, for those not presently participating in one of our development pathways, is provided through online communities of practice (Kear, 2011).
TLC2016 - Experiences and strategies used for implementing a portfolio didact...BlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Bo Lüders
Organisation: University College Southern Denmark (UC Syd)
Description: In this session we will present our experience with using Blackboard Portfolio on a fully 100 % online Teacher training education.
You will be introduced to how the portfolio became a key concept in the pedagogical thinking of the online course and how the portfolio gave educators a completely new and deeper insight in the learning of the students compared to students in traditional face-to-face education.
You will be given examples of the formative evaluation performed in the portfolio and will see examples of portfolios created by students. The portfolios will be in Danish but presenters will translate the structural elements so you can be inspired on the use of portfolios in Blackboard.
TLC2016 - Driving Up Quality. Improving the quality of Blackboard Learn cours...BlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Danny Monaghan & Peter Mella,
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Description: This session will describe how we created a programme to help and promote development of quality course material in Blackboard Learn, by creating an exemplary course programme based on Blackboard’s. We will show delegates how we started this process, and how we are attempting to create a small and self-sustaining community of academics who are actively looking to develop high quality course content that don’t require large scale support, by using the tools available in Learn rather than relying on a high level of technical knowledge or external software packages to create rich content. We will conclude by looking to the future, and show where we would like this work to take us.
TLC2016 - Online Results Entry using the Grade Journey ToolBlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Birthe Aagesen & Karen Louise Møller
Organisation: Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University
Description: Presentation session (45 min) with time for questions.
The presentation will address:
- An investigation of Blackboard Course Structures on the basis of a socio cultural perception of learning
- Application and evaluation of selected Blackboard Course Structures in courses at Aarhus University.
Accessibility Webinar: Making Blackboard Modules and Content Accessible for AllBlackboardEMEA
To support the changes to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) provision meaning English universities need to be ready and able to support learners by September 2016 this presentation provides an overview of inclusive classrooms and outlines the benefits and challenges faced in implementing them.
They will also help institutions towards achieving inclusivity and best practice for all learners through their online and face to face classrooms and provide a practical framework to:
• Assess their pedagogy
• Review their existing content
• Evaluate their institution's technology
http://webinars.blackboard.com/accessibility
TLC2016 - Data for Students - A student-centred approach to analytics in LearnBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Ross Ward
Organisation: The University of Edinburgh
Description: Learning analytics is primarily focused on staff accessing student data to gauge performance, predict student outcomes, and make interventions where necessary. This session will provide an overview of the work that the University has done in researching and developing a bespoke learning analytics building block called, ‘Data for Students’ that allows students to access information about their course - using click counts and comparison of grades against the cohort. The session will report on the outputs of our initial pilot studies and feedback from staff and students who have used the tool.
Presenter: Tony Churchill
Organisation: De Montfort University
Description: This session provides a brief introduction to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its implications for delivery in Higher Education both online and face-to-face. UDL is being implemented at De Montfort University (Leicester, UK) to enhance learning and teaching for ALL our students. DMU’s application of the principles of UDL seeks to provide an inclusive experience using the Blackboard learning environment, whilst addressing reductions in government funding for disabled students.
TLC2016 - Turning Blackboard Learn into a Digital Examination Platform: lesso...BlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Walter Roosels & Geert De Schutter
Organisation: Universiteit Antwerpen voor Associatie Antwerpen
Description: Once your institution has decided to make a shift towards (more) online examinations, these are the most important aspects that have to been taken in consideration before 'shaping' the Digital Examination Platform:
-Benefits of digital examinations
-Organisation of digital examinations
-What testsoftware to use?
-Security
-Computer and examination infrastructure
-Teacher support
University of Antwerp shares her 8 years experience implimenting digital examinations, using an agile solution: Blackboard Learn & our own examination Building Block.
TLC2016 - Exchange of experience through (Blackboard):A tool to develop facul...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Rasha Malik
Organisation: Dar Al Hekma
Description: This research titled as “Exchange ofexperience through (Blackboard):A tool to develop faculty’ skills in Innovative learning”has been developed by a team from Dar AlHekma University in academic year 2014-2015. Thisresearch aims to expand the scientific communication and exchange of experiences between faculties across different departments and combinethe traditional teaching methods with the newest teaching ways that depends on technology(Blended learning).
TLC2016 - Experiences and strategies used for implementing a portfolio didact...BlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Bo Lüders
Organisation: University College Southern Denmark (UC Syd)
Description: In this session we will present our experience with using Blackboard Portfolio on a fully 100 % online Teacher training education.
You will be introduced to how the portfolio became a key concept in the pedagogical thinking of the online course and how the portfolio gave educators a completely new and deeper insight in the learning of the students compared to students in traditional face-to-face education.
You will be given examples of the formative evaluation performed in the portfolio and will see examples of portfolios created by students. The portfolios will be in Danish but presenters will translate the structural elements so you can be inspired on the use of portfolios in Blackboard.
TLC2016 - Driving Up Quality. Improving the quality of Blackboard Learn cours...BlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Danny Monaghan & Peter Mella,
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Description: This session will describe how we created a programme to help and promote development of quality course material in Blackboard Learn, by creating an exemplary course programme based on Blackboard’s. We will show delegates how we started this process, and how we are attempting to create a small and self-sustaining community of academics who are actively looking to develop high quality course content that don’t require large scale support, by using the tools available in Learn rather than relying on a high level of technical knowledge or external software packages to create rich content. We will conclude by looking to the future, and show where we would like this work to take us.
TLC2016 - Online Results Entry using the Grade Journey ToolBlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Birthe Aagesen & Karen Louise Møller
Organisation: Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University
Description: Presentation session (45 min) with time for questions.
The presentation will address:
- An investigation of Blackboard Course Structures on the basis of a socio cultural perception of learning
- Application and evaluation of selected Blackboard Course Structures in courses at Aarhus University.
Accessibility Webinar: Making Blackboard Modules and Content Accessible for AllBlackboardEMEA
To support the changes to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) provision meaning English universities need to be ready and able to support learners by September 2016 this presentation provides an overview of inclusive classrooms and outlines the benefits and challenges faced in implementing them.
They will also help institutions towards achieving inclusivity and best practice for all learners through their online and face to face classrooms and provide a practical framework to:
• Assess their pedagogy
• Review their existing content
• Evaluate their institution's technology
http://webinars.blackboard.com/accessibility
TLC2016 - Data for Students - A student-centred approach to analytics in LearnBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Ross Ward
Organisation: The University of Edinburgh
Description: Learning analytics is primarily focused on staff accessing student data to gauge performance, predict student outcomes, and make interventions where necessary. This session will provide an overview of the work that the University has done in researching and developing a bespoke learning analytics building block called, ‘Data for Students’ that allows students to access information about their course - using click counts and comparison of grades against the cohort. The session will report on the outputs of our initial pilot studies and feedback from staff and students who have used the tool.
Presenter: Tony Churchill
Organisation: De Montfort University
Description: This session provides a brief introduction to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its implications for delivery in Higher Education both online and face-to-face. UDL is being implemented at De Montfort University (Leicester, UK) to enhance learning and teaching for ALL our students. DMU’s application of the principles of UDL seeks to provide an inclusive experience using the Blackboard learning environment, whilst addressing reductions in government funding for disabled students.
TLC2016 - Turning Blackboard Learn into a Digital Examination Platform: lesso...BlackboardEMEA
Presenters: Walter Roosels & Geert De Schutter
Organisation: Universiteit Antwerpen voor Associatie Antwerpen
Description: Once your institution has decided to make a shift towards (more) online examinations, these are the most important aspects that have to been taken in consideration before 'shaping' the Digital Examination Platform:
-Benefits of digital examinations
-Organisation of digital examinations
-What testsoftware to use?
-Security
-Computer and examination infrastructure
-Teacher support
University of Antwerp shares her 8 years experience implimenting digital examinations, using an agile solution: Blackboard Learn & our own examination Building Block.
TLC2016 - Exchange of experience through (Blackboard):A tool to develop facul...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Rasha Malik
Organisation: Dar Al Hekma
Description: This research titled as “Exchange ofexperience through (Blackboard):A tool to develop faculty’ skills in Innovative learning”has been developed by a team from Dar AlHekma University in academic year 2014-2015. Thisresearch aims to expand the scientific communication and exchange of experiences between faculties across different departments and combinethe traditional teaching methods with the newest teaching ways that depends on technology(Blended learning).
TLC2016 - Mobile Learning – Unlocking the potential of authentic assessment a...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Chris Moore
Organisation: University of the West of England
Description: Authentic assessment has the potential to be very valuable, allowing for much more complex analysis of the students’ performance than traditional de-contextualised assessments.
On the other hand, online examinations under controlled conditions can be unviable for large student cohorts due to pressures on the real estate of the institution.
This session will showcase a number of innovative initiatives that are enabling us to create sustainable authentic assessments and very flexible online examinations.
We will bring a number of mobile devices to the session, so that attendees will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the solutions we have developed, actively participating during the session.
What does good course design look like to you - Alex Wu, BlackboardBlackboard APAC
Course design is undoubtedly a critical element of any online or blended learning environment. As academics and instructional designers, we often associate course design with teaching and learning outcomes that are course- and program-specific and are aligned specifically to graduate attributes or goals. In this session, we will instead take a deconstructive approach to analyse each of the main tool groups within Blackboard Learn and Collaborate, and showcase some unique tool deployment use-cases from clients around the globe. We will also touch on using the same tools in research and grant management to discuss how both teaching and research departments could cross benefit from using the same platform within an institution.
TLC2016 - The use of Collaborate in schools in Northern Ireland – Needs Must!BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Eamon McAteer
Organisation: C2k
Description: The introduction of BlackBoard Collaborate into schools throughout Northern Ireland as part of the Education Network NI provided schools with a range of opportunities to: share, exchange and learn from each other.
Eamon McAteer, Curriculum Consultant with C2k will discuss some innovative ways schools use this platform to tackle educational and social needs in a cost effective and safe manner. He will also examine some of the related challenges and opportunities of this technology.
TLC2016 - Reviewing Blackboard sites to raise minimum engagment across the in...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Brian Irwin
Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Description: In 2013 Sheffield Hallam University approved a set of minimum expectations which outlined what should be on each Blackboard course. In preparation for these expectations becoming policy in 2015, we hired graduate interns to review every taught module (over 3000) and create reports about how well they meet the expectations.
During this session we will explain how the minimum expectations were developed. We will describe the review process, highlighting challenges faced and providing recommendations for others. We will share some high level findings of the reviews and example anonymised reports at different levels (e.g module, departmental, faculty). Finally we will explain how we are using the reviews to inform staff development and the feedback we have gotten on the reviews so far.
TLC2016 - Inspiring a Sense of Educational CommunityBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Barbara Becker
Organisation: Leeds Beckett University
Description: Functionality in Blackboard Communities has been utilised to tailor a unique Communities view for identified groups of distinct University students. Leeds Beckett University provides courses for a vast array of learning perspectives: Distance Learners, global Franchise partners, Researchers and specialised CPD courses.
Over the past five years, students have been given their own customised view of the MyBeckett portal, utilising Institutional Roles to tailor Brands, Tabs & Modules so that specific, purposeful content is delivered to each group, creating unique student portal views.
Learning Analytics and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning - an obvious ...Blackboard APAC
The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) essentially advocates for a research approach to be applied to the improvement of learning and teaching. It encourages teachers to reflect in a scholarly way on their teaching practice and at the more advanced level to undertake research on teaching practice and curriculum. Learning analytics has the potential to provide data on elements of the teaching process which have to date been difficult to measure particularly for the broader cohort of teachers.
This presentation will draw attention to the connection between SoTL and learning analytics and prompt participants to think about how learning analytics can be used in a wider context to contribute to changes in teaching design and practice.
TLC2016 - Power Using' Blackboard for purely online learnersBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Nathalie Thorne
Organisation: Leeds Beckett University
Description: The Distance Learning Unit at Leeds Beckett have been described as 'power users' of our Blackboard installation. Since 2012 we have revolutionised how our academics deliver an integrated learning experience for purely online learners, with our instructional design team utilising various tools and techniques available in Blackboard to produce interactive, enjoyable and rewarding modules for our learners.
This session will demonstrate our distance learning style, showing how we have used discussion boards, wikis and other tools to create an immersive experience for our learners.
Group work without tears - Valerie Springett - University of Queensland | Sch...Blackboard APAC
The presentation will outline the systematic use of the Blackboard Wiki tool, for a large class (120) consisting of external and internal students, to engage in Group work with success. The added benefit was an enhanced student capacity to engage with digital media in their professional role. This UQ post-graduate course has received annual teaching awards which have reflected high student satisfaction in the evaluations.
Our case study illustrates use of the Wiki tool to enable collaboration within a group of 6 (three from internal and 3 from external mode) to write a formal electronic Report on a national health system that could be used by that government to strengthen its health system.
In a practical sense, participants will be able to access the framework of assessment, the tool set up and the marking criteria, along with student samples and student evaluation.
Blackboard Analytics for Learn: A recipe for successRichard Stals
So much of the current discussion around Learning Analytics seems to be caught up in the realm of Big Data that informs the top executives and decision makers who are shaping institution-wide strategies. While these kinds of topics need to be explored, truly significant and transformative uses of learning analytics can be had at the grassroots level of the teacher and student.
This session will look at how Edith Cowan University is using Blackboard Analytics for Learn to empower staff and students with their own data, allowing them to make informed and timely decisions in their own teaching and learning journeys.
We will explore how learning analytics data enables staff to do things like identify and support students at risk of disengaging from the course early, monitor how students are actually engaging in their course and collect real evidence on student interactions that informs a continual process of improvement in learning design and resources.
Adoption of Blackboard in the ELICOS system: Innovating and Augmenting Qualit...Blackboard APAC
In 2016 the Centre for English Teaching (CET) launched Blackboard for its university pathway courses (DEC) as part of an initiative to innovate and transform them into high quality blended Academic English language programs that would support students in developing both academic skills and awareness of the technology and systems required to excel during the first semester at university. While LMS use is standard practice in higher education, for the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector the integration of an online platform is still new territory and there is great potential for innovation within teaching and learning practices. Moreover, the unique context allows for a fresh perspective on how Blackboard, at its core, is a dynamic and flexible platform in teaching and learning practices that fosters communities of practice and consolidates traditional educational practices.
The implementation of Blackboard across university pathways courses at CET faced two major hurdles. To begin with, international students were less familiar with the culture and expectations surrounding LMS use at tertiary level and the nature of independent learning. Secondly, teaching staff had varying degrees of proficiency and experience in using technology in the classroom. Dealing with the challenge of educating, immersing and empowering both teachers and students simultaneously in their use of Blackboard as an integrated and powerful tool in teaching and learning raised numerous questions and helped gain valuable insights into adoption and adaption of technology and the opportunity for creative disruption. Grounding innovations in solid pedagogy, integrating technology and independent learning with in-class interaction and making learning objectives clear to both students and teachers enabled the successful uptake of Blackboard and allowed for greater support and autonomy for both teachers and students.
Blending the Tutor Lounge: using Blackboard to develop tutors - Sonya McIlroy...Blackboard APAC
At Academic Colleges Group Tertiary & Careers (TCG), we recognise the importance of student-centred, innovative classes across a wide variety of vocational programmes. Therefore, there has been concerted effort put into providing engaging lessons in a blended environment.
This presentation will be of interest to those who are supporting tutors to deliver engaging lessons and implementing change in methodology to include technology in a face to face environment. During our session, we will unpack the threefold functions of the Tutor Lounge as described above, and share our experiences of tutor uptake. We will give participants the opportunity to see how we structured our development area in Blackboard, as well as ask questions and discuss strategies to overcome/implement possible issues.
Presenter: Ciara Duffy
Organisation: South West College
Description: South West College have introduced a new student enhancement initiative called the “SWC Virtual Academy” which is student-centered, interactive, engaging and available 24/7.
The Academy, which is hosted on Blackboard Learn, provides a series of online programmes designed to prepare students for future employment by building their expertise in core skills using today’s most popular technologies. Students can choose from a wide variety of fully online or blended programmes including: Employability, Entrepreneurship, Business Start-up, Digital Skills and Study Skills. Over 10,000 digital badges have been awarded to students for the successful completion of individual courses/programs since September 2015. This session will encourage educators to reflect on how the student delivery models are evolving.
Engaging large cohorts of international students: Technology Enhanced Learnin...Blackboard APAC
This session presents findings of an investigation into how staff used a fully-integrated Active Learning Platform to engage international students in large cohorts. It presents how the system enabled staff to engage students in the classroom and facilitate the review of class activities through recorded audio, presentation and other resources. The focus of this project was to promote student engagement through blended delivery and increase student performance using technology. It also highlights how the learning analytics within the Active Learning Platform was used to direct and guide students to increase academic performance and enhance their learning experiences.
What we have learned in 13 years of using Blackboard - Debbie Williams & Geof...Blackboard APAC
Debbie Williams and Geoff Evans will explain how they use Blackboard Learn as a basis for Blended Learning. All the students are issued with an iPad Mini, and this, combined with the Blackboard Learn platform, provide the basis for all of the teaching and learning at the campus.
We will:
• Present how our courses are set up in Blackboard Learn
• Explain the Use of Grade Centre
• Demonstrate the use of Blackboard Learn in and out of class
• Explain the use of video
Our journey with the technology is enabling some teachers to flip their classrooms. We will explain how far this has progressed and the potential benefits and pitfalls for teachers of international students.
TLC2016 - Assessment Journey: a programme to enhance the educational experien...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Brian Irwin
Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Description: The Assessment Journey Programme at Sheffield Hallam University (UK) is continuing its progress towards delivering the changes needed to provide a seamless, improved and effective assessment experience for students and staff.
Within this session we will present on the changes needed in order to shape our institutional vision for assessment and the technology required within it. We will share our experiences of exploiting Blackboard solutions (including the Grades Journey) to implement the technological future state for online management of assessment, and report on the lessons learned and the challenges faced around merged enrolments, extension management, and reassessment.
Australian Academic Leadership Survey &;Interviews – An interim report - Alla...Blackboard APAC
Australian Higher education is facing the demands of new and rapidly changing student demographics, an increasingly competitive global environment and tighter funding and accountability constraints. Now, in 2016, it is an important time to understand the issues the sector is facing and consolidate the ways we are responding. We sought the perspectives of Australian university education leaders on current learning and teaching challenges, trends likely to influence the future of learning and teaching at Australian Universities and the ways our universities are responding.
This presentation reports on the findings of our research thus far and some of the ways that Blackboard Strategic and other Consultancy Services are positioned to assist our institutions going forward.
TLC2016 - A showcase of using BB LEARN in large coursesBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Robert Rozier
Organisation: Hanze University Groningen
Description: At the School of Communication Media and IT eduction is structured in integrated domains.
Web programming is one of these domains. Students have to attend a number of different courses. Courses are subdivided into lectures and practicals, demand that online instructional videos are to be viewed and have formative tests at regular intervals. The ramifications are that heavy burden is placed on the LMS since it has to both incorporate all the different courses, projects, assignments, and has to allow for attendance registration. The number of users and of roles is high. We will present a show case of how to structure a course in BB thus reducing this complexity especially for instructors.
Thinking it through: Choosing the right Blackboard tool for the job | Neville...Blackboard APAC
Blackboard Learn has many tools. How do you help academics to make the right choices? How do you validate that the choice you've made will be fit for purpose? In this session, we will be exploring a framework for tool choice for assessment across quizzes, assignments, journals, blogs and discussion boards in whole-class, group or individual contexts. We will also share best practices in the preparation and use of these tools.
Wow! That’s a great use of Blackboard Collaborate | Mark Bailye & Foong Yee L...Blackboard APAC
It is evident that Blackboard Collaborate is being used creatively and effectively in many institutions where it is having a positive impact on the learning and teaching experience. This session provides an opportunity for Blackboard Collaborate users to showcase how they have used it to make a difference
Towards Blended Learning; Strategies and Roles of TeachersNashwa Ismail
Agenda
What is blended learning?
Models of blended learning
Benefits of blended learning
Challenges of blended learning
Role of teacher in a blended classroom
Management of large class number
Towards an effective blended learning environment
TLC2016 - Mobile Learning – Unlocking the potential of authentic assessment a...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Chris Moore
Organisation: University of the West of England
Description: Authentic assessment has the potential to be very valuable, allowing for much more complex analysis of the students’ performance than traditional de-contextualised assessments.
On the other hand, online examinations under controlled conditions can be unviable for large student cohorts due to pressures on the real estate of the institution.
This session will showcase a number of innovative initiatives that are enabling us to create sustainable authentic assessments and very flexible online examinations.
We will bring a number of mobile devices to the session, so that attendees will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the solutions we have developed, actively participating during the session.
What does good course design look like to you - Alex Wu, BlackboardBlackboard APAC
Course design is undoubtedly a critical element of any online or blended learning environment. As academics and instructional designers, we often associate course design with teaching and learning outcomes that are course- and program-specific and are aligned specifically to graduate attributes or goals. In this session, we will instead take a deconstructive approach to analyse each of the main tool groups within Blackboard Learn and Collaborate, and showcase some unique tool deployment use-cases from clients around the globe. We will also touch on using the same tools in research and grant management to discuss how both teaching and research departments could cross benefit from using the same platform within an institution.
TLC2016 - The use of Collaborate in schools in Northern Ireland – Needs Must!BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Eamon McAteer
Organisation: C2k
Description: The introduction of BlackBoard Collaborate into schools throughout Northern Ireland as part of the Education Network NI provided schools with a range of opportunities to: share, exchange and learn from each other.
Eamon McAteer, Curriculum Consultant with C2k will discuss some innovative ways schools use this platform to tackle educational and social needs in a cost effective and safe manner. He will also examine some of the related challenges and opportunities of this technology.
TLC2016 - Reviewing Blackboard sites to raise minimum engagment across the in...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Brian Irwin
Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Description: In 2013 Sheffield Hallam University approved a set of minimum expectations which outlined what should be on each Blackboard course. In preparation for these expectations becoming policy in 2015, we hired graduate interns to review every taught module (over 3000) and create reports about how well they meet the expectations.
During this session we will explain how the minimum expectations were developed. We will describe the review process, highlighting challenges faced and providing recommendations for others. We will share some high level findings of the reviews and example anonymised reports at different levels (e.g module, departmental, faculty). Finally we will explain how we are using the reviews to inform staff development and the feedback we have gotten on the reviews so far.
TLC2016 - Inspiring a Sense of Educational CommunityBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Barbara Becker
Organisation: Leeds Beckett University
Description: Functionality in Blackboard Communities has been utilised to tailor a unique Communities view for identified groups of distinct University students. Leeds Beckett University provides courses for a vast array of learning perspectives: Distance Learners, global Franchise partners, Researchers and specialised CPD courses.
Over the past five years, students have been given their own customised view of the MyBeckett portal, utilising Institutional Roles to tailor Brands, Tabs & Modules so that specific, purposeful content is delivered to each group, creating unique student portal views.
Learning Analytics and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning - an obvious ...Blackboard APAC
The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) essentially advocates for a research approach to be applied to the improvement of learning and teaching. It encourages teachers to reflect in a scholarly way on their teaching practice and at the more advanced level to undertake research on teaching practice and curriculum. Learning analytics has the potential to provide data on elements of the teaching process which have to date been difficult to measure particularly for the broader cohort of teachers.
This presentation will draw attention to the connection between SoTL and learning analytics and prompt participants to think about how learning analytics can be used in a wider context to contribute to changes in teaching design and practice.
TLC2016 - Power Using' Blackboard for purely online learnersBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Nathalie Thorne
Organisation: Leeds Beckett University
Description: The Distance Learning Unit at Leeds Beckett have been described as 'power users' of our Blackboard installation. Since 2012 we have revolutionised how our academics deliver an integrated learning experience for purely online learners, with our instructional design team utilising various tools and techniques available in Blackboard to produce interactive, enjoyable and rewarding modules for our learners.
This session will demonstrate our distance learning style, showing how we have used discussion boards, wikis and other tools to create an immersive experience for our learners.
Group work without tears - Valerie Springett - University of Queensland | Sch...Blackboard APAC
The presentation will outline the systematic use of the Blackboard Wiki tool, for a large class (120) consisting of external and internal students, to engage in Group work with success. The added benefit was an enhanced student capacity to engage with digital media in their professional role. This UQ post-graduate course has received annual teaching awards which have reflected high student satisfaction in the evaluations.
Our case study illustrates use of the Wiki tool to enable collaboration within a group of 6 (three from internal and 3 from external mode) to write a formal electronic Report on a national health system that could be used by that government to strengthen its health system.
In a practical sense, participants will be able to access the framework of assessment, the tool set up and the marking criteria, along with student samples and student evaluation.
Blackboard Analytics for Learn: A recipe for successRichard Stals
So much of the current discussion around Learning Analytics seems to be caught up in the realm of Big Data that informs the top executives and decision makers who are shaping institution-wide strategies. While these kinds of topics need to be explored, truly significant and transformative uses of learning analytics can be had at the grassroots level of the teacher and student.
This session will look at how Edith Cowan University is using Blackboard Analytics for Learn to empower staff and students with their own data, allowing them to make informed and timely decisions in their own teaching and learning journeys.
We will explore how learning analytics data enables staff to do things like identify and support students at risk of disengaging from the course early, monitor how students are actually engaging in their course and collect real evidence on student interactions that informs a continual process of improvement in learning design and resources.
Adoption of Blackboard in the ELICOS system: Innovating and Augmenting Qualit...Blackboard APAC
In 2016 the Centre for English Teaching (CET) launched Blackboard for its university pathway courses (DEC) as part of an initiative to innovate and transform them into high quality blended Academic English language programs that would support students in developing both academic skills and awareness of the technology and systems required to excel during the first semester at university. While LMS use is standard practice in higher education, for the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector the integration of an online platform is still new territory and there is great potential for innovation within teaching and learning practices. Moreover, the unique context allows for a fresh perspective on how Blackboard, at its core, is a dynamic and flexible platform in teaching and learning practices that fosters communities of practice and consolidates traditional educational practices.
The implementation of Blackboard across university pathways courses at CET faced two major hurdles. To begin with, international students were less familiar with the culture and expectations surrounding LMS use at tertiary level and the nature of independent learning. Secondly, teaching staff had varying degrees of proficiency and experience in using technology in the classroom. Dealing with the challenge of educating, immersing and empowering both teachers and students simultaneously in their use of Blackboard as an integrated and powerful tool in teaching and learning raised numerous questions and helped gain valuable insights into adoption and adaption of technology and the opportunity for creative disruption. Grounding innovations in solid pedagogy, integrating technology and independent learning with in-class interaction and making learning objectives clear to both students and teachers enabled the successful uptake of Blackboard and allowed for greater support and autonomy for both teachers and students.
Blending the Tutor Lounge: using Blackboard to develop tutors - Sonya McIlroy...Blackboard APAC
At Academic Colleges Group Tertiary & Careers (TCG), we recognise the importance of student-centred, innovative classes across a wide variety of vocational programmes. Therefore, there has been concerted effort put into providing engaging lessons in a blended environment.
This presentation will be of interest to those who are supporting tutors to deliver engaging lessons and implementing change in methodology to include technology in a face to face environment. During our session, we will unpack the threefold functions of the Tutor Lounge as described above, and share our experiences of tutor uptake. We will give participants the opportunity to see how we structured our development area in Blackboard, as well as ask questions and discuss strategies to overcome/implement possible issues.
Presenter: Ciara Duffy
Organisation: South West College
Description: South West College have introduced a new student enhancement initiative called the “SWC Virtual Academy” which is student-centered, interactive, engaging and available 24/7.
The Academy, which is hosted on Blackboard Learn, provides a series of online programmes designed to prepare students for future employment by building their expertise in core skills using today’s most popular technologies. Students can choose from a wide variety of fully online or blended programmes including: Employability, Entrepreneurship, Business Start-up, Digital Skills and Study Skills. Over 10,000 digital badges have been awarded to students for the successful completion of individual courses/programs since September 2015. This session will encourage educators to reflect on how the student delivery models are evolving.
Engaging large cohorts of international students: Technology Enhanced Learnin...Blackboard APAC
This session presents findings of an investigation into how staff used a fully-integrated Active Learning Platform to engage international students in large cohorts. It presents how the system enabled staff to engage students in the classroom and facilitate the review of class activities through recorded audio, presentation and other resources. The focus of this project was to promote student engagement through blended delivery and increase student performance using technology. It also highlights how the learning analytics within the Active Learning Platform was used to direct and guide students to increase academic performance and enhance their learning experiences.
What we have learned in 13 years of using Blackboard - Debbie Williams & Geof...Blackboard APAC
Debbie Williams and Geoff Evans will explain how they use Blackboard Learn as a basis for Blended Learning. All the students are issued with an iPad Mini, and this, combined with the Blackboard Learn platform, provide the basis for all of the teaching and learning at the campus.
We will:
• Present how our courses are set up in Blackboard Learn
• Explain the Use of Grade Centre
• Demonstrate the use of Blackboard Learn in and out of class
• Explain the use of video
Our journey with the technology is enabling some teachers to flip their classrooms. We will explain how far this has progressed and the potential benefits and pitfalls for teachers of international students.
TLC2016 - Assessment Journey: a programme to enhance the educational experien...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Brian Irwin
Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Description: The Assessment Journey Programme at Sheffield Hallam University (UK) is continuing its progress towards delivering the changes needed to provide a seamless, improved and effective assessment experience for students and staff.
Within this session we will present on the changes needed in order to shape our institutional vision for assessment and the technology required within it. We will share our experiences of exploiting Blackboard solutions (including the Grades Journey) to implement the technological future state for online management of assessment, and report on the lessons learned and the challenges faced around merged enrolments, extension management, and reassessment.
Australian Academic Leadership Survey &;Interviews – An interim report - Alla...Blackboard APAC
Australian Higher education is facing the demands of new and rapidly changing student demographics, an increasingly competitive global environment and tighter funding and accountability constraints. Now, in 2016, it is an important time to understand the issues the sector is facing and consolidate the ways we are responding. We sought the perspectives of Australian university education leaders on current learning and teaching challenges, trends likely to influence the future of learning and teaching at Australian Universities and the ways our universities are responding.
This presentation reports on the findings of our research thus far and some of the ways that Blackboard Strategic and other Consultancy Services are positioned to assist our institutions going forward.
TLC2016 - A showcase of using BB LEARN in large coursesBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Robert Rozier
Organisation: Hanze University Groningen
Description: At the School of Communication Media and IT eduction is structured in integrated domains.
Web programming is one of these domains. Students have to attend a number of different courses. Courses are subdivided into lectures and practicals, demand that online instructional videos are to be viewed and have formative tests at regular intervals. The ramifications are that heavy burden is placed on the LMS since it has to both incorporate all the different courses, projects, assignments, and has to allow for attendance registration. The number of users and of roles is high. We will present a show case of how to structure a course in BB thus reducing this complexity especially for instructors.
Thinking it through: Choosing the right Blackboard tool for the job | Neville...Blackboard APAC
Blackboard Learn has many tools. How do you help academics to make the right choices? How do you validate that the choice you've made will be fit for purpose? In this session, we will be exploring a framework for tool choice for assessment across quizzes, assignments, journals, blogs and discussion boards in whole-class, group or individual contexts. We will also share best practices in the preparation and use of these tools.
Wow! That’s a great use of Blackboard Collaborate | Mark Bailye & Foong Yee L...Blackboard APAC
It is evident that Blackboard Collaborate is being used creatively and effectively in many institutions where it is having a positive impact on the learning and teaching experience. This session provides an opportunity for Blackboard Collaborate users to showcase how they have used it to make a difference
Towards Blended Learning; Strategies and Roles of TeachersNashwa Ismail
Agenda
What is blended learning?
Models of blended learning
Benefits of blended learning
Challenges of blended learning
Role of teacher in a blended classroom
Management of large class number
Towards an effective blended learning environment
Developing study skills through online interactive workshops by karen foley, ...EADTU
Blended and Online Edcuation webinar week, Day 1: Developing study skills through online interactive workshops by karen foley, The Open University, The United Kingdom
From curiosity to sustainable individual implementation: Getting settled into...Frederic Fovet
While Universal Design for Learning (UDL) had gained in momentum across Canadian post-secondary institutions over the last decade, oftentimes instructors who are introduced to the framework get few opportunities to consider detailed implementation or to reflect fully on its implication for their own teaching and learning – beyond the initial increased awareness of the need for accessibility and inclusion of all diverse learners. As a result, much of this initial curiosity and interest tends to die down, for simple lack of support, infrastructure, and time.
This session will seek to address this common issue and ongoing challenge, by offering participants a half day of deep immersion into the principles of UDL and their implementation in class. After a quick refresher of the key characteristics of the UDL approach, the participants will be encouraged to work in teams on hands-on case studies and scenarios that will offer them the opportunity to fully gauge what the redesign of a class delivery or assessment – along UDL principles - might look like and imply.
The workshop will also include a large segment reserved for interactive questions and discussions. This will offer participants the opportunity to develop their reflection around UDL implementation in their practice and individual professional context in detail and depth. The whole group will have the opportunity to review a number of hands on concerns and preoccupations and to equip all participants with a degree of autonomy in relation to the implementation of UDL into their teaching and learning.
South West College - A virtual Academy that boosts employabilityBlackboardEMEA
A series of specific designed courses, coupled with badges and gaming, helps students in Northern Ireland to master the skills they need to be ready for the workforce. The South West College team share their story.
Client Insights - National University Ireland, Galway: Online Results Entry u...BlackboardEMEA
As part of a wider Academic Simplification suite of projects, this webinar shares how it sought to improve academic administrative efficiencies and assessment data accuracy through the assessment grades.
Their existing home-grown process for grades return presented a number of issues and, a decision was made to investigate the use of the Grades Journey Solution. This webinar will describe the project requirements and how the Grades Journey Solution has been adapted to meet some (but not all) of these since their Online Results Entry project went live in December 2015.
Client Insights - Glasgow Caledonian University: Marks Integration and the Di...BlackboardEMEA
The concept of the digital university is often raised as a major issue within HE developments. Many universities have digital elements but still operate on a pre-digital basis. This webinar will outline how the piloting of the Grades Journey Solution at Glasgow Caledonian University is a microcosm of what a university has to address if it claims to be digital. Jim will share the results of their pilot and the intended outcome e.g. a simplified workflow for the single input of grades and their extraction into the SIS.
The Assessment Journey Programme at Sheffield Hallam University is continuing its progress towards delivering the changes needed to provide a seamless, improved and effective assessment experience for students and staff.
Presenter: Joseph Gliddon
Organisation: Bristol University
Description: This session explores work implemented over several years at the University of Bristol to develop a scalable workflow for coursework assessment and feedback online.
The workflow combines technical and pedagogic planning to support lasting cultural change. This uses Blackboard packages, which can also support consistent provision of other activities across multiple courses.
This work was done to address key challenges in this area, including:
-meeting complex requirements in a consistent way
-needing a standard approach which is scalable across multiple courses
-ownership of the process by Schools to ensure sustainability
-easily updating content across many courses with minimum editing
Session covers policy, pedagogic approaches, engaging academic & administrative leads, and the process.
TLC2016 - Taking assessments and examinations to the next level: AlephQBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Christine Lippens
Organisation: Universiteit Antwerpen
Description: It is often a challenge to educators to offer high quality assignments and quizzes in the context of blended learning. As a rule, intra-term assigments do not generate a lot of student engagement or enthusiasm, unless they match what students can expect on their actual final exam. And even if this is the case, additional incentives are often needed to ensure student participation. Over the past 5 years, Antwerp University has been succesfull in implementing technology driven solutions to achieve this, with degrees of participation exceeding 90% and significant improvement in exam results, without having to compromise on academic content.
TLC2016 - Online intercultural Exchange (OIE): capacity building for a flexib...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Teresa MacKinnon
Organisation: University of Warwick
Description: The Language Centre at the University of Warwick has been enhancing the language learning experiences of students through opportunities to connect directly with peers in other countries. The Clavier project began in 2011 using the Languages@Warwick platform as a shared point of contact. The portal course, known as EWC, incorporates Blackboard Collaborate tools for live and asynchronous contact and has provided a scalable model for other language courses which are now growing in Spanish and German classes at Warwick.
TLC2016 - Using badges to motivate and engage studentsBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Inger-Marie Falgren Christensen
Organisation: University of Southern Denmark
Description: The gap between educational institutions and students is widening. Many institutions maintain traditional methods and adopt new at a slow pace. Some educators and developers are looking to gamification to bridge the gap. This workshop will help participants’ explore the potential of badges in education.
An introduction to badges and the purposes of using these in education will be provided. Ways of integrating badges into courses will be explained. Furthermore, the process of designing and issuing badges in Blackboard Learn will be demonstrated.
Participants will get the opportunity to discuss how badges can be integrated in their context, share examples and design badges for their own students.
TLC2016 - Peer Review, Peer Assessment, and Peer Feedback methods based on Bl...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Hubert Nachtegaele
Organisation: Universiteit Antwerpen
Description: Our teaching staff asks support for types of “Self and Peer Assessment” which are not possible with the S&PA tool incorporated in Bb Learn.
Our Blackboard Support Team tries to support the desired types of S&PA by creative combinations solely of Bb Learn Course Tools, without using external tools (except Excel). In this session we will show how we realize this for different types of S&PA: “Groups reviewing assignments of other groups”, “Students assessing their peers and themselves within a group”, “Peer Reviewing using a rubric”, and "Anonymous Peer Feedback for oral presentations"
TLC2016 - Application of e-learning platform Blackboard Learn in the Universi...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Boyanka Zhelyazova
Organisation: University of Forestry
Description: Studies were conducted for the assessment of students and teachers at the University of Forestry to work with e-learning platform Blackboard Learn and the impact on the results.
TLC2016 - A search engine for Blackboard Learn, the impossible made possible.BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Machiels Wim
Organisation: KU Leuven
Description: Search engines have become an essential tool in our daily lives and anno 2016 we cannot imagine a system - which stores a large amount of documents - that is not searchable. Unfortunately Blackboard Learn doesn’t offer this functionality yet and it hasn’t been on the companies roadmap for years. Since students and staff at KU Leuven requested a search engine for their LMS for many years we decided to develop this functionality in-house.
In this talk we will demo our solution and show how we can index all content of a large Blackboard Learn deployment and provide personalized search results for all our users.
TLC2016 - Digicouching pedagogy in online learning on Humak University of App...BlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Paivi Timonen
Organisation: Humak - Humanistic University of Applied Sciences
Description: The Humak University of Applied Sciences runs online learning on Moodle/Moodlerooms and online webinars (Adobe Connect /Collaborate). Pedagogical aim is couching pedagogy which Humak has developed for the purpose to develop socio constructive learning. Studies are on digital environments. For supporting learning on small groups Humak uses real time webinars. For real time webinars we have developed a pedagogical path for activating and deepening students learning. Humak has recent experience on cMOOCs (Constructive Massive Online Courses).
TLC2016 - Online language courses in BlackboardBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Jeroen van Engen
Organisation: University of Groningen
Description: The University of Groningen Language Centre is offering fully online Dutch language courses since April 2015. Participants come from all around the world. They are expected to learn the language up to a certain level in period of two months under the guidance of a few instructors.
In my presentation I would like to show the approach taken (structure, planning, tools) to offer and support online language courses in Blackboard at the University of Groningen for a worldwide audience.
TLC2016 - KULeuven's new learning portal and css/JS tweaks for course designBlackboardEMEA
Presenter: Bert Coenen
Organisation: KU Leuven
Description: At KU Leuven, we developed a new portal to replace our tabs-and-modules-based portal.
The portal runs outside / on top of / alongside Blackboard.
It aggregates information from different sources
- Enrollments
- Updates and messages
- User-targeted tools, links and information
Key features:
- Course list
- Inline access to updates, messages, settings
- Filter, search and customization tools:
- Favorites
- Colours
- Banners
We're also introducing a new design for course pages.
Key features:
- Based on the latest Learn theme
- Enhancements
- Simplified, inline content creation
- ""Intelligent"" learning modules
- ""Productivity"" enhancements
- Availability of courses and items
- Drag and drop
- ...
- Responsive design
Presenter: Tim Boon
Organisation: University of Leuven
Description: Engaging students in online courses can be quite challenging. While the content of your course is obviously your main focus as a teacher, the importance of how you present the learning materials is often underestimated. Good-looking and well-structured courses help students stay motivated. By embedding web 2.0 tools (Google Drive, Prezi, Padlet, …) and using just a tiny bit of coding you can make your Blackboard courses stunning and a lot more interactive. We’ll show you how.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve ThomasonSteve Thomason
What is the purpose of the Sabbath Law in the Torah. It is interesting to compare how the context of the law shifts from Exodus to Deuteronomy. Who gets to rest, and why?
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
How to Split Bills in the Odoo 17 POS ModuleCeline George
Bills have a main role in point of sale procedure. It will help to track sales, handling payments and giving receipts to customers. Bill splitting also has an important role in POS. For example, If some friends come together for dinner and if they want to divide the bill then it is possible by POS bill splitting. This slide will show how to split bills in odoo 17 POS.
How do we develop part-time distance teaching staff in best practices for using Blackboard Collaborate with student groups?
1. How do we develop part-time
distance teaching staff in best
practice for using Blackboard
Collaborate with student groups?
Anne Campbell, Graham Storey
The UK Open University1
2. Educational setting
2
• The Open University is the biggest university in the UK, and a world leader in
flexible distance learning
• Around 200,000 part-time students based all over UK and global – urban, rural,
remote, small towns
• Student ages from school-leavers to retired with busy & active lives (median age of
new undergraduates is 29)
• Personal tutor (Associate Lecturer or AL) as part of a small group
• Distance learning & distance teaching: large highly distributed
workforce who rarely have the chance to meet face to face
• Long history of synchronous online tuition: Lyceum, Elluminate,
now BB Collaborate – being rolled out across all teaching
3. Effective staff development…
3
Learning in the workplace often is:
• Informal: ‘unintentional and results from interaction with co-workers’
• Situated: ‘involves making sense of the daily learning that occurs in
organisations and involves examining embedded knowledge and
encouraging learners to be self-directed and reflect on their learning
experiences’
• Social and community building: ‘represented by a range of strategies
including conversation, social interaction, teamwork and mentoring’
(Clus, 2011)
4. Challenges for distance developers
4
How do we…
• …create opportunities for development which distributed distance staff
want to and are able to attend?
• …design development which incorporate some of the features of informal,
situated & social learning situations? (Knight et al, 2006; Clus, 2011)
• …include opportunities to learn experientially? (Campbell
& Macdonald, 2011)
• …create a sense of presence and community? (Kear, 2011)
• …make development relevant to staff’s own working
practices? (Ottenbreich-Leftwich, 2010)
5. Challenges for OU developers
5
• Large (~5,500) diverse body of distance Associate Lecturer staff
with differing constraints on their time
• Wide spectrum of general online technical ability
– From apprehensive staff: reluctance to change from familiar methods of
teaching, inability to understand simple computing tasks
– To early adopters: need for advanced development both pedagogically
and technically, expert in general computing
• Regional, faculty and module system within the OU
• Gauging demand – sometimes can have huge bottlenecks
6. 6
• Large groups of staff still need introductory training in the features and tools
• After basic training many are stuck on replicating face to face tutorials instead of
thinking about how to use the new environment imaginatively
• Can often end up with one pedagogical style – lecture with element of
questioning, and student questions at the end
Challenges for OU Collaborate developers
• There can be distrust of teaching ideas outside own discipline
• Need for pedagogical development, running in tandem with
development on features
• Also need occasional development of practice outside formal staff
development
10. Meeting the challenge:
OU Live Pathways– a choice of core routes
10
Identify
development
need based on
experience
Beginner or
needing basics
refresher
1-week
moderated
cohort route
Supported,
open-ended self-
study route
Already
experienced,
want to learn
more
2-week
moderated
cohort route
Supported,
open-ended self-
study route
12. Cohort routes – ‘Tutor Moderators’
12
Practice
Reflection
with
peers
Module
activity
• 1-week online ‘Introduction’ to OU Live, part of a 3-week ‘Introduction to Online
tutoring’. Can be taken as standalone week. Takes ~5 hours
• New 2-week online ‘Advanced’ module. Takes ~ 14 hours
• Experiential learning: online activities
• Synchronous and near-synchronous activities
• Experience of being a student online
• Pastoral support by moderator (the identifiable individual)
(Campbell & Macdonald, 2011)
17. Completion rates on cohort routes
17
• Up to 25 participants per presentation in each module. Often
run with 18 or 20.
• Introductory route: ~2800 participants since Feb 2010 with a
72% completion rate
• Advanced route: just started – 3 presentations so far. 60
participants with 73% completion rate
18. Exit evaluation data on introductory cohort module
18
• Increase in overall confidence and competence
16%
52%
26%
6%
0%1%
10%
45%
39%
5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Terrified Anxious Moderately
confident
Confident Very confident
(Mar 2012 to April 2015, n = 383, 45% response)
How confident are you as a moderator?
Start of
module
End of
module
36%
38%
20%
4%
1%2%
5%
51%
38%
5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Complete
Novice
Generally
unfamiliar
Moderately
competent
Competent Very
competent
(Mar 2012 to April 2015, n = 383, 45% response)
How competent are you as a moderator?
Start of
module
End of
module
19. 19
– I am looking forward to having a go. Before this module I was
dreading it!
– The demo was the most useful part of the course. Being a
student in itself was very valuable.
– The use of breakout rooms was previously a mystery to me
but now I will be using them!
– The course gave space and time to practice working with OU
Live, as well as demonstration, explanation and support
which I found very useful.
– …there is so much to OU Live that it is almost the case that
the more you know, the less you know…
– …it was good to know that competence with basic OU Live
tools would enable one to produce an effective tutorial and
the more complex elements could be introduced later when
confidence and competence have grown.
Participant perceptions (Introductory module)
20. Participant perceptions (Advanced module)
20
– (The module)… is so well designed, with all parts
interconnecting with each other ie teaching,
practice, reflection (personal and collaborative).
– I was quite surprised by the variety of uses of the
whiteboard in OU Live in producing interactive
sessions for students.
– fostering a community of learning using OU Live
sessions... is one of the learning points I intend to
use…
– The OU Live sessions… offered a valuable
opportunity for taking a student’s perspective on
the use of OU Live .
– I got an awful lot from the final activity in which
we presented our ideas: this sharing of our
practices and ideas was extremely useful.
21. Non-cohort routes – ‘Independent’
21
• Aimed at tutors who prefer self paced, self-study to group work
• Provide an overflow when cohort reaches capacity
• Moodle VLE delivery, similar to cohort route
• Activities designed for self study BUT
• Introductory route offers early opportunities to join a Live!
session. Can’t collaborate alone.
• Collaborative production by team of PALS
25. Communities of practice
25
• ‘Helping hand’ forum
• Online rooms forum
• OU Live wiki
• Shares good practice
• Open to all staff
26.
27. Other development initiatives for OU Live
27
• ‘PALS’ – Peer Associate Lecturer Support group
• Exemplar tutorials in different disciplines (Macdonald and Campbell, 2011)
• Face to face development sessions – eg scenarios, sharing
practice
• One-off online ‘Talking point’ events (Campbell & Jones, 2014)
• Series of ‘transition’ events
28. Overall principles
28
Relevant and timely to
own working practices
Scaffold - start simple,
build up from the basics
Practice alone or
with peers
Experiential online
activities – learn as you do
Grounded in pedagogy
Informal social learning –
learn as you discuss and
share ideas
Offer choice – time-
limited cohort or own-
pace self-study
Supported learning
with peer moderators
Reflect on own and
others’ actions
30. Contact details…
30
Dr Anne Campbell
Online Educational Developer
anne.campbell@open.ac.uk
Graham Storey
Project Manager
graham.storey@open.ac.uk
Associate Lecturer Support and Professional Development team
The UK Open University