David Callaghan is a Learning Technologist and an Associate Tutor for the Faculty of Education on the Undergraduate Professional Development
Programme, a blended course – delivered mostly online – via our Blackboard VLE and the Collaborate web conferencing system, with some face to face conference days. So, he can also practice what he preaches.
Collaborate is used by David and his colleagues for student inductions; it’s also used for tutorials giving an equivalent experience to that of distance learners. The feedback from students indicates that Collaborate has made them feel part of the University community.
David’s video tells us how using web conferencing can help create an equitable experience – by bringing students together online they are able to support and challenge each other and build a community of inquiry, as they would do in an on-campus classroom.
Learning Edge Blog Post – Student account:
“The experience for me was absolutely invaluable on every level and absolutely without a doubt was a contributing factor to achieving a first class honours.”
Read more in this blog post: Technologies are an “absolute lifeline” for our students!
If you feel inspired by this and other videos in the series and want to learn more about web conferencing (Blackboard Collaborate), your Learning Technologist can help.
In addition, you can access to Blackboard Collaborate training, talk to your Learning Technologist for more information.
Martin Baxter
Learning Technology Development Officer