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Using Facebook to engage and retain new students
Weaving social media into the learning technology mix. Ian Currie, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, is an advocate for the complementary use of social media to support his students’ learning experience. Understanding the tensions between the professional educational environment offered by ‘Blackboard’ and the popular social medium of ‘Facebook’ he elegantly walks the tightrope…
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Supporting the Associate Tutor through a Blackboard ‘Hub’
Two programmes in the Faculty of Education who rely on Associate Tutors to bring skills and expertise to their courses have created ‘Hubs’ or Tutor Areas to create a community of practitioners where they can discuss and share experiences, questions and receive support in a safe environment, as they are most usually away from campus.…
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The secrets of online discussion
How one tutor used simple techniques to generate authentic, engaging and fruitful online discussion. During a focus group with a cohort of Teaching, Learning and Mentoring Practice students, 3rd years from the Faculty of Education, a picture emerged of excellence in the use of the online discussion. This post is based on an interview with…
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A bit of Blackboard TLC
Blackboard European Teaching and Learning Conference at Aston University, Birmingham Last week I was in Birmingham for the Blackboard Teaching and Learning Conference. This conference allows those interested or involved in Learning Technology to get together to discuss, demonstrate and network with colleagues from institutions all over Europe. The main themes involved: Engagement & Retention…
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Staff Development from the comfort of your own space
We’d like to take the opportunity to report on, and thank those who attended the very first Staff Development session delivered entirely online! Last Wednesday (27th March) saw the ‘Avoiding Digital Disasters in your Presentations‘ session delivered via the University’s web conferencing solution ‘Collaborate‘. Staff self enrolled onto the Developing Digital Excellence course and navigated…
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Grades being released too early?
With the imminent conclusion of Semester 2 on the horizon and marking being at an increasingly busy time we’ve had quite a number of calls regarding the premature release of grades to students. Many pieces of work will be submitted and marked over this period and after Easter – using many different e-assessment tools to…
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A Library of Answers
Technology Roadshow Learning Services and IT Services are again joining forces to offer advice on the latest technology developments. We will be setting up a pop-up stall in the University Library where all your students can come along and ask us questions at the ‘Technology Roadshow’. The aim of the…
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Update for iOS users: Blackboard Mobile
It seems that iOS users have recently been experiencing a few issues with their Blackboard Mobile app. Good news! A number of ‘bugs’ have now been fixed and the new version is available to download via the iTunes Store. You may have already installed the update, but just in case, you’re looking to have version…
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Shifting portfolios online
How a ‘spark’ during a staff development session led to a fully ‘on-line’ portfolio for all PCET trainees. Lindsey Marsh (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education) attended an early Campus Pack training session. During that session she realised that the wiki technology offered the potential to significantly improve trainees’ portfolios. This post is based on an…
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What’s on the Menu?
This morning we’ve implemented a couple of features to the side menu of our blog. The additions should make it easier for you to connect to our social media pages and to keep yourself up to date with any happenings on Learning Edge. Organised around two areas (see picture below) we have implemented a ‘Social…
