• Looking to the Future: The Horizon Report 2014

    The Higher Education edition of the Horizon Report always comes out this time of year, and is worth a read if you’re interested in emerging technologies and their impact on teaching, learning and research.

    The 2014 edition of the report is split into three sections. Key Trends looks at things like the growth of social media use and the potential to personalise online learning environments. Significant Challenges looks at things like the need for digital fluency and the challenge of scaling innovations. Important Developments looks at things like flipped classrooms and learning analytics.

    On the 20th of May we’ll be doing our annual session where we present on some of the technologies and ideas covered in the report, and encourage discussion. You’ve got plenty of time to have a read before then. If there is a particular aspect of the report you’d like to focus on in the session let us know and we’ll try to include it.

    If you want to join us in May, why not book on using the Staff Learning and Development Event Bookings system.

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    Peter Beaumont
    Learning Technology Development Officer

    Peter

  • Developing Digital Excellence

    Welcome to the February programme of staff development under our banner of Developing Digital Excellence.  We have brought together a range of activities and support, including an opportunity to take a look at our brand new broadcast TV studio.

    We are aware that Semester 2 has started in earnest now and our programme in February will hopefully support some of those pressing developments you have on the horizon.

    Staff from our teams’ involved in Developing Digital Excellence will also be available for a chat at the up and coming Staff Well Being Day –  Monday 10th February.    We will be there to talk about  how we can help in terms of developing ICT and digital skills and relieve some of the stress and anxiety around using new technology.  Come and have a chat to find out more about the programme, and also our Blackboard course area which might be a useful resource for you.

    The Digital Practitioner

    Successfully managing online marking – A guide to  using the Grade Centre in Blackboard February 2nd 1.00pm – 2.00pm

    Avoiding Digital Disaster In Your Presentations     February 12th 1.00pm – 2.00pm

    Learning On Location: A Mobile Field Trip       February 26th 1.00pm – 2.00pm

    Big Brother Knows: Supportive Online Tracking      February 28th 12.00pm – 1.00pm

    The Digital Classroom

    Tour of the TV Studio  – Creative Edge Building – places limited to 15 so please book early    February 13th 1.00pm – 2.00pm

    The Digital Researcher

    Introduction to RefWorks     February 14th 10.00am – 12.00pm

    The Digital Office 

    ECDL Induction     February 3rd 10.00am – 11.00am

    POWERPOINT 2 – Enhancing Your On-Screen Presentations  February 4th 9.30am – 11.00am

    WORD 2 – Working with Tables and Mail Merge     February 6th 9.30am – 11.00am

    EXCEL 1 – Getting Started with Formulas using Microsoft Excel 2010     February 10th 2.00pm – 3.30pm

    WORD 3 – Advanced Features of Word Processing     February 11th 9.30am – 12.00pm

    EXCEL 2- Functions and Workbook Management     February 17th 2.00pm – 4.00pm

    Places are available for all of our courses and more information for the coming months events, and how to book is within the HR Staff Development booking system.

    We look forward to seeing you in February.

    Developing Digital Excellence team

     

    Rachel

  • Blackboard’s Catalyst Award 2014

    Blackboard Catalyst Award

    Have you got a well-designed Learning Edge module area that you’d like to gain recognition for? Since its launch in 2000, Blackboard opens its Catalyst Awards each year which includes the Exemplary Course Program (ECP).  The aim is to support the use of e-Learning technology more effectively by identifying and disseminating best practices for designing engaging online courses.

    Using Blackboard’s rubric, tutors are able to evaluate how well their own course(s) conform to the best practices for Course Design, Interaction & Collaboration, Assessment and Learner Support before program entry. Courses can then be submitted to the program, which are reviewed by a team of peer reviewers and then by the directors of the Exemplary Course Program.  If successful your course will receive recognition internationally from Blackboard and as part of the accomplishment you will also be invited to attend Blackboard World in Las Vegas, July 2014.

    Last year I had the pleasure of collaborating closely with my colleagues to support and oversee our institutions’ debut submission of courses to the 2013 Blackboard Exemplary Course Program (ECP). As mentioned in my first ECP post back in January 2013. 2014 marks Edge Hill University’s second appearance with us submitting two more courses to the awards program, with one entry from the Faculty of Health and one entry from Learning Services.

    For information on all the Catalyst Awards, please visit http://blackboard.com/catalyst.

    Whether our submissions “win” or not, the fundamental aspect of receiving detailed feedback and insights to course recognition is always an investment worth making.  Participation in the program and the value of iterative improvements to our Learning Edge module areas is an accomplishment in itself.

    Winning submission(s) are selected and notified during May 2014 and let’s hope Edge Hill University receives an Exemplary Course Award or two! If you have any questions or would like to participate in this year’s Blackboard ECP program please contact [email protected].

    Mark Wilcock
    Learning Technology Development Officer

    Mark

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