We are excited to host our next Library & Learning Services Staff Development Week beginning on Monday 15th November to Friday 19th November.
Staff Development Week
Author Archives: Laura Riella
43 days and counting …
With Christmas break just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to spend some time getting digital ready and learning about some new and interesting technologies.
Over the upcoming weeks, before Christmas, the Learning Technology Development Team have scheduled some fantastic sessions to get you up to speed with the latest technologies and support you with teaching and learning activities.
We understand that this is a busy time of year and in response have a variety of opportunities for staff development, including: live sessions, pre-recorded sessions, LinkedIn Learning Courses, online staff development toolkits and more.
Live Sessions
Attending a live session with one of our team gives staff the opportunity to engage in discussion, ask questions and share ideas with other colleagues. Upcoming sessions include:
- Achievements within the Blackboard, planning, implementing and monitoring – Thursday 12th November 12pm-1pm
- Using Blackboard Collaborate with Students – Monday 16th November 12pm-1pm and Friday 4th December 12pm-1pm
- Turnitin Dropbox set-up & Troubleshooting for Department Administrators – Tuesday 17th November 11am-12pm
- Getting Started with Panopto: Basic Setup – Tuesday 17th November 11am-12pm
- Vevox: Adding Interaction to online, hybrid and in person sessions – Monday 16th November 12pm-1pm and Tuesday 17th November 1pm-2pm
- Using Microsoft Teams with Students (Part 3) – Wednesday 18th November (1pm-2pm)
- Microsoft Teams (Part 1) – Thursday 19th November 11am-12pm
- Microsoft Teams (Part 2) – Thursday 19th November 2pm-3pm
- Making Documents Accessible – Tuesday 24th November 2pm-3pm
- How to Deliver Engaging and Creative Presentations Online – Wednesday 25th November 1pm-2pm
- Digital Tools to Facilitate a Flipped Classroom – Tuesday 1st December 1pm-2pm
- Using Padlet to Facilitate Discussion and Interaction with Students – Thursday 3rd December 12pm-1pm
- Getting Assessment and Grade Centre Ready – Friday 4th December 12:30pm-1:30pm
To find out more information visit Getting Digital Ready for the session blurbs. To book onto any of the above sessions email digitech@edgehill.ac.uk.
Pre-recorded Sessions
If you can not attend a live event or want to work through a session at your own pace, we have pre-recorded a range of sessions. These pre-recorded sessions can be found on LTDs Training and Consultation page – https://go.edgehill.ac.uk/display/ls/Training+and+Consultation
LinkedIn Learning
Another valuable resource for staff development is LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform which contains a wide variety of courses on topics including business, management, design, photography, IT, marketing, media and much more.
As part of the My Staff Development offer, within each of the pathways you will find a range of LinkedIn Learning courses we have recommended. These have further been categorized into the framework of Build, Develop and Enhance.
You can access LinkedIn Learning via the LinkedIn Learning home page or using the LinkedIn Learning iOS app or Android app.
Online Staff Development Toolkits
We understand the importance of moving teaching and learning online, so in response to staff needs and seeking to enhance digital skills, Library & Learning Services have developed bespoke toolkits for staff to independently work through.
These toolkits aim to develop your digital skills and provide a greater awareness of the resources, services and support available to you.
View the toolkits by clicking on the image below.
For more information about staff development opportunities, visit the Getting Digital Ready wiki page, which is part of the collaborative My Staff Development offer.
Upcoming Staff Development Sessions
As we approach the start of the new term, we understand that this year the transition to a blended learning model may feel a little different. In response to staff needs and developments in delivery styles and technology, we have scheduled some new and exciting sessions to support you and your students.
These sessions, delivered by the LTD Team, aim to enhance your digital skills and empower your learning and teaching.
Take a look at the below scheduled sessions. More information can be found on the Getting Digital Ready wiki page and booked via the digitech@edgehill.ac.uk email address.
Scheduled Sessions
- Microsoft Teams (Part 1) – Thursday 15th October (1pm-2pm)
- Microsoft Teams (Part 2) – Friday 16th October (11am-12pm)
- How to Deliver Engaging and Creative Presentations Online *New* – Tuesday 27th October (12pm-1pm)
- Using Padlet to Facilitate Discussion and Interaction with Students *New* – Thursday 29th October (12pm-1pm)
- Digital Tools to Facilitate a Flipped Classroom – Wednesday 21st October (1pm-2pm)
- Learn how to ‘Beautify’ your Blackboard *New* – Thursday 24th September (11am-12pm) and Friday 25th September (1pm-2pm )
- Making Documents Accessible – Thursday 24th September (1pm-2pm) and Tuesday 20th October (11am-12pm)
- Achievements within the Blackboard, planning, implementing and monitoring *New* – Thursday 1st October (12:30pm-13:30pm)
- Portfolio tools in Learning Edge: Using Journals and Blackboard Portfolios *New* – Wednesday 21st October (1pm-2pm)
- Getting Started with Panopto – Basic Setup *New* – Thursday 1st October (11am-12pm) and Friday 2nd October (11am-12pm)
Session Spotlight
Using Microsoft Teams with Students (Part 3) *New*
Due to the demand and popularity of Microsoft Teams, this session will specifically consider how to use Microsoft Teams with students, including:
- how to schedule and deliver online sessions
- how to share your screen and audio
- how to use the whiteboard function
- how to boost interaction with the ‘Chat’ feature
- how to set up private channels for group work/individual discussion
- how to use breakout rooms (coming end of September)
This session will also be an opportunity to share best practice and generate ideas.
Thursday 8th October (11am-12pm)
Using Blackboard Collaborate with Students *New*
This session will cover the basics of using Blackboard Collaborate for teaching and learning. Staff will learn how to setup a session within a module and be introduced to the Collaborate interface. At the end of the session academics will have a good understanding of the set-up procedure, options for joining a session, managing participants and be familiar with the Collaborate room interface and tools for sharing content.
Monday 19th October (12pm-1pm)
Drop Ins
Microsoft Teams – Drop In
This drop in session on Microsoft Teams will provide staff with the opportunity to come with any questions about how to use the platform, both with staff and with students. Thursday 22nd October (12pm-2pm)
Blackboard Ultra Navigation Drop-In Session for Academics
Are you unsure about how the new Blackboard home page works? We’ll be here to answer your questions. Friday 25th September (1pm-2pm)
For more information visit the Getting Digital Ready wiki page, which is part of the collaborative My Staff Development offer.
All sessions can be booked via the digitech@edgehill.ac.uk email address. Sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams or Blackboard Collaborate – full details/instructions will be provided.
Getting Digital Ready
For staff interested in developing their digital skills or looking for some staff development opportunities, the new ‘Getting Digital Ready’ Wiki pages have launched.
Since working from home it is fundamental that staff are still provided with the opportunity to develop their digital skills and get involved in staff development. Developed as part of the ‘My Staff Development‘ offer, ‘Getting Digital Ready’ has launched, aiming to provide staff with high quality interactive booklets, guides and videos to support them whilst working from home.
These newly developed Wiki pages by Library & Learning Services aim to support staff working from home with digital staff development opportunities. These pages include a variety of materials for staff to engage with, including bespoke interactive guides, support materials, videos and recommended LinkedIn Learning courses.
The interactive guides have been designed to support staff, enhance their digital skills and provide them with the opportunity to engage in staff development.
The guides have received much praise and success, with staff across the university accessing the guides over 500 times and spending on average 33 minutes engaging with the materials. Within these guides (divided into parts) staff will be able to develop their skills in focused areas, with videos to watch, links to webpages, guides and more.
The guides are being developed weekly in response to staff training needs and digital advancements. Content has included: Top tips for working from home; Microsoft Teams; Making documents accessible; PowerPoint: Recording and adding voiceovers; Microsoft Sway: Creating interactive presentations.
Feedback
Staff have praised the guides, commenting:
“Really great bite size sessions you can explore”
“I have really enjoyed the opportunity to enhance my digital skills. I hope to learn lots more.”
“Very clear and accessible. Thanks!”
“These have been great!”
To access the ‘Getting Digital Ready’ Wiki pages, visit the following webpage for more information: https://go.edgehill.ac.uk/display/staffdevelopment/Getting+Digital+Ready
Written by: Laura Riella
Digital Capabilities Coordinator
Learning at Work Week – Impact Awards 2019
We are very pleased to announce that in the Learning at Work Week Impact Awards 2019 we have won in two categories ‘Shaping Digital Futures’ and ‘Innovation in Learning & Development’!
Learning at Work Week took place in May and provided staff in Catalyst with an opportunity to not only get to know each other but develop their skills and express their interests.
During Learning at Work Week 28 creative and informative sessions took place, delivered by both internal and external members of staff. These sessions were predominantly delivered by staff within Catalyst, as it gave staff the opportunity to inform colleagues about their services’ developments and an opportunity to share their skills and interests. Sessions included: ‘Creative Card Making’, ‘Rubber Stamp Printing’, ‘Sign Language’, ‘Writing for the web’ and ‘Pocket Photography’
We also added in a range of informative sessions, which allowed staff to learn more about other teams, networking with colleagues and promoting a workplace learning culture. The sessions were very well received with staff commenting on there being ‘plenty of variety’ and ‘something for everyone’.
Alongside face to face activities we also launched DigiQuest 2.0. This year’s quest prompted staff to explore and investigate new pieces of digital technology, allowing them to enhance and develop their digital capabilities. Activities included creating an infographic, learning the basics of Excel, analysing their digital footprint, making online quizzes and participating in Twitter chats. The choice of tasks were described as ‘varied’ and staff relished the opportunity to try out tools they had never explored previously. The theme for DigiQuest 2.0 was around space exploration, selected to coincide with the theme of Learning at Work Week. The exploration of space links to ‘Shaping the Future’ as they both revolve around progression, development and progress. Staff enjoyed the ‘inventive’ space theme and found the opportunity to achieve digital badges ‘motivating’. The variety of sessions on offer and focus on innovative staff development therefore meant that staff had the opportunity to take an active hold of their learning with a blended learning offer.
Learning at Work Week has successfully helped establish a positive learning culture and colleagues are keen to develop their digital skills further by getting involved in professional development initiatives. It has shown that learning and staff development works best when embedded in the culture of the department, so we have recently delivered ‘Learning at Work Week – Halloween Spectacular’ to continue the blended learning approach and further build a culture of learning at work.
For more information about the award please take a look at the following webpage: https://www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/news/award-winning-events-shape-future-through-learning
Written by: Laura Riella
Digital Capabilities Coordinator
Libraries Week is coming soon to Catalyst!
This year Libraries Week is taking place 7th-12th October 2019. The theme this year of Libraries Week is celebrating libraries in the digital world. This gives us the chance to celebrate our fantastic library housed in Catalyst and explore how digital technology is being used and what technology is available for you.
Throughout the week there will be a variety of sessions, exhibitions and online support available to both staff and students at Edge Hill. The aim is to improve digital literacy skills, create an excitement around using technology and use it to its advantages.
Take a look below at the sessions and exhibitions taking place and how to book on.
Students
Getting Started
Join our Student Advisors and discover how to navigate your new student homepage (MyEHU) and get the most out of Learning Edge and your My Library tab.
Weekdays 12pm-12:30pm – Book now via CareerHub.
Finding Your Resources
If you’re new to EHU, or just want a refresher after the summer break, join our Student Advisors for a virtual guided tour of your basic online resources, including Library Catalogue and Reading Lists.
Weekdays 1pm-1:30pm – Book now via CareerHub.
Staff
Cultivating A Growth Mindset with Digital Technology
Growth mindset, a learning theory developed by Carol Dweck, revolves around the belief that you can develop and improve your ability and performance as a result of establishing a positive mindset that encourages growth and positivity. In this session staff will explore how having a growth mindset can also empower digital transformation. This session will enable staff to try out new digital tools and find the benefits of using technology in different ways.
Monday 7th October 11am-12pm – Book now via MyView.
Wiki: Updating and personalizing the Wiki
This session aims to introduce staff to the Wiki and guide them through updating and personalizing it according to their specific department. This session will look at creating a clear structure on your Wiki pages, creating a main page, adding a colour scheme and sourcing high quality professional images and photographs.
Tuesday 8th October 2pm-3pm – Book now via MyView.
Annotating the Web: Encouraging Collaboration
This session will discuss different strategies and methods of making notes about online articles and webpages, considering ways in which technology can be used to make annotating the web more efficient and beneficial. Through the use of online pieces of software, we can now annotate the web, highlight key phrases and colour code our notes.
Thursday 10th October 12pm-1pm – Book now via MyView.
Students and Staff
Virtual Reality
Experience the Virtual Reality technologies that are being used extensively in the healthcare, sports, entertainment and engineering industries; during this exciting Libraries Week event you will have the opportunity to experience using a VIVE™ virtual reality headset and be immersed in a 3D gaming environment where physical space is irrelevant and the impossible can appear possible.
Tuesday 8th October 12pm-2pm – Catalyst Events Space
3D Printing
Learn more about the 3D printing technologies used to rapidly produce prototypes within the aerospace, medical, automotive, fashion and construction industries; this hands-on makerspace event held during Libraries Week will include an opportunity to design and print your very own 3D bookmark to take away.
Friday 11th October 12pm-2pm – Catalyst Events Space
So, what are you waiting for? Come to Catalyst and get involved in Libraries Week.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #librariesweek
What’s the word? Digital Workplace Technologies Feedback
We believe that listening to staff feedback is vital! It helps us to shape our sessions, develop new and exciting initiatives and respond to your needs and interests.
The Digital Workplace Technologies offer has now been active for over 6 months. During this time we have worked hard to develop a comprehensive and responsive offer, that has been adapted to suit staff’s digital needs and technological advancements. This year the current Digital Workplace Technologies offer has been restructured and refreshed in order to provide all staff with a clear pathway to increase and enhance their digital knowledge and capabilities. Learning Services aims to provide staff at Edge Hill University with a high-quality learning and development experience, enhancing staff digital capabilities through a variety of staff development sessions, online guides and resources.
So, what’s the word? Since launching in early 2019, over 350 members of staff have attended sessions and 100% of staff in the online feedback evaluation form said that ‘Overall the session’s objectives were met’. This is great news to hear and we are glad that we are making an impact!
Feedback has been a vital way in order to gather ideas, collate data and further develop the offer.
Staff have made the following comments about sessions that they have attended:
As a result of the feedback received, changes have been made to the structure of sessions, amount of participation and length of activities.
Also, due to staff feedback even more sessions have now been added! Some of these include: ‘Digital Participation: Encouraging Student Involvement’; ‘Word: Mail Merge 2016’; ‘Visio: Learning the Basics’; ‘Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Digital Technology’ and ‘Annotating the Web: Encouraging Collaboration’.
Alongside face-to-face sessions, there are also a range of online guides, videos and links to useful LinkedIn Learning courses on the Learning Services Wiki pages.
Book your session on MyView here.
Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.
Written by: Laura Riella,
Digital Capabilities Coordinator
Staff Development Fortnight
Following our very successful June Academic Staff Development Fortnight, Library and Learning Services will be offering sessions again between the 2nd and 12th of September 2019.
Staff Development Fortnight is designed to update your skills and knowledge of the support we offer – from Research Support to Student Engagement, and everything in between. Sessions include: Copyright, Beautifying Blackboard, Reading List Workshop, Disability Support and Assistive Technologies and Using Panopto and Ally.
All sessions can be booked now via MyView. For further information please see the Learning Services Wiki and the timetable below.
Information about the sessions can also be found here on Issuu.com, in our interactive timetable.
So, what are you waiting for? Come and join us to learn more about the support we can offer and update your skills!
If you have any questions or encounter any problems, please contact your Academic Engagement Specialist.
We look forward to seeing you in Catalyst in September.
Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.
Written by: Laura Riella
Digital Capabilities Coordinator
Upcoming Digital Workplace Technologies Sessions
Are you looking to boost your digital skills? If so, then there are a range of Digital Workplace Technologies sessions taking place throughout August and September.
These sessions aim to boost staff’s digital capabilities, developing staff into digitally proficient learners and thinkers.
Take a look below at the upcoming sessions, including a brief summary of the session and dates/times. All sessions can be booked on MyView.
Digital Mindfulness
The modern world is a hyper-connected digital place where everything is just a click away and is available 24/7. Digital mindfulness promotes the presence of mind and is defined as the conscious awareness and acceptance of present experience. This session will provide staff with the opportunity to apply this approach to our use of digital tools and technology, evaluating why it is important to be digitally mindful.
Tuesday 13th August
Word: Formatting Long Documents
This session will focus on using the features of Microsoft Word to put together long documents or formal reports, including using styles, creating tables of contents and applying section footers and working collaboratively with master documents.
Tuesday 13th August
Excel: Advanced
This practical session will show staff how to perform complex sorting, filtering and sub-totalling lists of data, along with creating and manipulating pivot tables.
Wednesday 14th August
Making Documents Accessible
It is important that when producing documents using Microsoft Word that you follow a few simple steps to make sure that your document is accessible by all users. This session will consider how to reach all of your audience, how to make effective use of accessible communication formats (also known as alternative formats), how to add Headings and Subheadings, add alternate text (Alt Text) for images and use tables wisely.
Monday 2nd September
Project Management
This session will be a key starting point for staff wishing to gain more knowledge about how to collaborate with colleagues using project management software. This session will cover project management software such as Trello and Microsoft Project.
Friday 6th September and Thursday 26th September
Using Kahoot
This session will introduce staff to using Kahoot, a game-based platform that can be used for quizzes and games. Popular in educational institutions, Kahoot can also be utilised with staff members as a way to encourage group participation, gather feedback and conduct surveys.
Thursday 19th September
Getting The Most Out Of Outlook
This session will introduce staff to useful features in Outlook email and calendar that can enhance productivity and organisation. By the end of the session staff will be able to categorize their emails and calendar events, set up follow up messages on emails, create and schedule appointments and meetings and add meeting notes using OneNote.
Friday 20th September
Eventbrite
This session aims to introduce staff to Eventbrite, an online event management and ticketing website. By the end of the session staff will be able to create events, manage and track attendees and promote the event using the custom design features.
Friday 20th September
Sway
This session will cover the basics of using Sway, a presentation software available as part of Office 365. Staff will learn how to navigate the application, how to add, edit and embed material, and how to publish their finished presentations.
Monday 23rd September
Instagram Hacks, Photography Skills and Camera Apps
Instagram is a popular and simple way to capture, edit and share videos, photos and messages. A photo and video sharing social networking platform, Instagram is a great way to share eye-catching and stunning photographs with your followers. This session will introduce staff to some simple tips and tricks that will allow you to take stunning photographs and introduce you to some beneficial camera apps to further improve your photography skills.
Tuesday 24th September
Alongside face-to-face sessions, there are also a range of online guides, videos and links to useful LinkedIn Learning courses on the Learning Services Wiki pages.
Book your session on MyView here.
Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.
Written by: Laura Riella, Digital Capabilities Coordinator
Case Study: Microsoft Sway
What is Microsoft Sway?
Sway is part of the Microsoft Office 365 package and can be used to create presentations, newsletters, portfolios and many more. A story-telling app that allows you to combine text and media, Sway is a powerful and versatile product that can be used in many different ways.
The below case study, will look at how a member of staff at Edge Hill University used Microsoft Sway to create a Faculty Newsletter.
Name:
Louise Habberfield
Department:
Education
Role:
Faculty Partnership Officer
Why did you decide to use Microsoft Sway?:
We wanted to introduce a faculty newsletter as a way of improving communication across the Faculty. I was looking for a way in which I could present key information in an appealing way but as well monitor readership and engagement rates.
What have you created as a result?:
The end result was a faculty newsletter distributed to all staff. Since it was distributed I have had other colleagues from across the institution approach me to ask what software I used, would I recommend it etc and that it was impressive.
What have you liked about Microsoft Sway?:
I really value the analytics I find that helpful to report on to the management team. I also like the way the text is displayed and appears interactive.
Would you receive further training on Digital Workplace Technologies?:
Yes, absolutely. There are always new things to learn, I consider myself quite computer literate and thought I was ok, but there is always new software and little tips to make working life easier!
Upcoming Sessions
If you are interested in using Sway to create a presentation or newsletter, then please take a look at the upcoming sessions. The session aims to guide staff through how to navigate the application, how to add, edit and embed material, and how to publish their finished presentations.
The next session takes place:Thursday 25th July – 11am-12pm
Book your session on MyView here.
Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.
Written by: Laura Riella
Digital Capabilities Coordinator