Session abstracts
The Office for Students Review of Blended Learning, 2022
Melissa Highton, Director of Learning, Teaching and Web Services, University of Edinburgh
inPalm Court
Dr Highton was part of the panel who met with staff and students in a number of universities of varying size, shape, age and mission. They developed a set of questions to collect the data necessary to get a clear understanding of blended learning approaches being taken. The technology context was different in each provider, and this technology context was essential for understanding how blended learning provision was enabled, quality assured and available equally to course leaders and students across their institution. This presentation will tell the story of how the review was done and highlight practical suggestions for moving forward.
Beyond ‘blended’ – new definitions and principles
Sarah Knight (lead presenter) Helen Beetham, Sheila MacNeill, Head of learning and teaching transformation HE and Research Directorate, Jisc
in Breakout Room A
"In 2022 Jisc undertook a review of approaches to curriculum and learning design across UK higher education to explore how the experiences of learning and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced university curricula and their design. The presentation will share ongoing research around key questions raised by the review including: how are campus spaces and digital platforms being integrated? how are teachers and students choosing to use their time, and invest their attention? what are the implications for community, belonging, sustainability and equity in the curriculum?
Participants will engage with:
· A process model for curriculum design
· Approaches for engaging students in different spaces, places and modes of interaction
· Approaches for teaching staff and curriculum teams"
But what is the one thing that your students will always want?
Gemma Stafford, Senior Learning Designer, Nottingham Trent University
in Breakout Room B
In HE, learning and teaching has been on the blended spectrum for well over a decade. So, there are things we should have been about getting right for a long time. Using the idea of doing better, doing more and doing something new this presentation unpacks the journey the Flex Team at Nottingham Trent University have taken to get blended right for their students. By the end of the presentation, we hope that delegates can begin to formulate ideas as to how they can work towards consistently high quality blended learning within their own institution that meets student expectations.
Moving forward with Blended Learning @ UWTSD
Emily May, Digital Learning Manager; Roger Covello, Principal Learning Technologist; Emma Jones, Digital Learning Technologist, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
in Breakout Room C
With campuses throughout south-west Wales and others in Cardiff, London and Birmingham the University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) is committed to delivering high quality blended learning – and to supporting learners and staff to develop their digital skills and confidence to study and work remotely. For this presentation, the Digital Learning and Digital Skills teams will take you through their approach in promoting digital pedagogy and skills to staff as well as students. This is supported by a rolling programme of training, webinars and drop in sessions as well as the development of online resources; allowing staff and students to access a range of support at a time and a place that suits them.
Adventures in audio: the interdisciplinary approach shaping engaging real world experiences for students - a podcast and radio production module case study
Rebecca Snelgrove, Content Developer (Digital Education), Keele University
in Palm Court
Post pandemic there’s still considerable debate about what the future of higher education looks like, in particular the student learning journey. Our presentation focuses on our experience of hybrid delivery of a module, to showcase our reflections on what module design and delivery may look like. We put student experience at the heart of the module, using various strategies to build an inclusive, community environment, both online and in person. We engaged with industry experts to create authentic experiences, from interviews for asynchronous learning content to a synchronous pitching and feedback session with a panel of industry experts.
Embedding staff and student digital skills development and support at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, to effectively support our Active Learning Framework
Alicia Owen, Digital Learning Manager, Wrexham Glyndŵr University
in Palm Court
Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s learning blend is our Active Learning Framework (ALF), based on principles of Universal Design for Learning. With appropriate use of digital technologies at its core, ALF embraces accessibility, flexibility and engagement. To embed ALF, we have worked to develop and support staff and students’ digital skills. This presentation outlines changes made and highlights their positive impact, demonstrated through findings from our Jisc Digital Experience Insights surveys. Our results relating to digital learning and teaching have been above the sector average and have improved year on year, as have most of our results relating to digital skills development.
Using IT effectively to deliver engaging and impactful teaching: a practical view of what teaching can look like using Microsoft Teams
Mary Hill, Digital Skills Manager, Sheffield Hallam University
in Breakout Room A
"Online or a blend of in-person and online teaching can be highly effective if the educator has knowledge of and confidence in using online tools and functionality. Knowing, and importantly seeing, what is possible can help us design courses to make full use of these tools and functionality, rather than just delivering in front of a webcam material previously designed purely for in-person delivery.
This session will show what online teaching can look and feel like by exploiting the functionality of Microsoft Teams before, during and after the event.
Do you know how to make a teaching session using Teams flow well, have an engaged and interacting audience, and convey its messages impactfully? This session will show you the art of the possible."
Empowering Staff for Digital Success: Strategies and Challenges for Blended Learning
Marc Bennett, Digital Adoption Manager, Newcastle University
in Breakout Room B
The workshop will provide a forum for members to discuss the strategies and challenges of embedding blended learning at their institutions. Beginning with an overview from Newcastle University on their progress and stumbles so far, followed by group discussions and interactive activities. The workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to share their own experiences and to network with colleagues from the sector. The workshop aims to help members reflect and consider strategies and solutions in place at other institutions to support staff in developing their digital skills and to achieve a better student experience.
