Category Archives: Learning Services

Catalyst Guidelines update – Keeping all students and staff safe

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Due to the 3rd national lockdown that is currently in place we have made some changes to services and facilities within Library & Learning Services and Catalyst.

Borrowing Books

As a temporary measure we have replaced our usual reservation service with a Click and Collect Service. This allows you to place reservations on available items through the Library Catalogue. You will receive a notification when your request is ready and then all you need to do is collect it from the reservation shelf in Catalyst and issue to your account using our self-issue machine. You can monitor your request via the My Account function in the library catalogue. Our book stock remains open for you to browse if you are on campus and using Catalyst.

Opening Times

We have reviewed our opening times and during the lockdown Catalyst will be open 8am – 8pm weekdays and 10am – 6pm at weekends. We will continue to review our opening times.

Face Coverings

We have reviewed our risk assessments and due to the 3rd national lockdown and the new, highly transmittable variant of Covid-19 it is now mandatory to wear a face covering at all times in public areas of Catalyst (unless you are exempt). This includes whilst studying at a desk or PC, borrowing books and moving around the building.

Staff will be monitoring this, and you will be approached if you are not wearing a mask or a pink lanyard. We ask that you support us in following this guideline by wearing your face covering at all times and show understanding to our staff.    

Ventilation

Government guidance states that areas should be kept well ventilated therefore you will notice that windows will be open in Catalyst. We know it may get chilly but we ask that you do not shut the windows. Please bear in mind that it may be cold and bring an extra layer or two if you are planning to study. Staff will periodically open windows throughout the day, please be understanding to our staff.

University Community Pledge

We will continue to ask all students and staff to abide by our Community Pledge.

We are asking each and every individual to agree to:   

  1. Fully adhere to official Public Health guidance in relation to Covid-19. 
  2. Protect myself and others by maintaining appropriate physical distance and hygiene.
  3. Unless exempt, wear a face-covering when and where required to do so.
  4. Not attend University if they feel unwell with, or if I have been in close proximity to others with, Covid-19 symptoms or who have tested positive for the virus.
  5. Raise and respond to concerns of Covid-inappropriate behaviour in an open, constructive and respectful manner and, if necessary, adjust their behaviour to be in line with Public Health and University guidelines.

Thank you from Library and Learning Services

Upcoming Events: research and society

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By Helen Bell, Research Support Team

View of the King's Library at the British Library
View of the King’s Library at the British Library. Photograph by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0.

Take a quick look at what is coming up over the next couple of months, in case there is a free event that you will find interesting and informative.

January

Join the British Library’s panel of experts who will be exploring Trump’s impact on domestic and foreign politics.

  • ‘You’re Fired’? Reviewing the Trump Presidency

Thursday 21st January 2021, 19:00-20:15
https://www.bl.uk/events/youre-fired-reviewing-the-trump-presidency

Take a break and spark an interest with the British Library’s Curators’ Lectures. This lecture, Beyond the Exhibition: Women’s Rights in Asia and Africa.

  • Unfinished Business: Curators’ Lunchtime Lecture – Beyond the Exhibition 1

Friday 22nd January 2021, 12:30-13:30
https://www.bl.uk/events/unfinished-business-curators-lunchtime-lecture-beyond-the-exhibition-1

February

Open Research Week 2021 Banner

Gathering together in the North West, members of the research support teams at the University of Liverpool, LJMU and Edge Hill have put together a programme of 9 events over 3 days dedicated to open research. Please take a look to see what might be of interest:
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/open-research/open-research-week-2021/

The keynote session is:

  • ‘The Open Revolution: making a radically fairer and free future’
    Dr Rufus Pollock
    Tuesday 9th February 2021 10.30-11.30
UK Data Service logo

An introduction by the UK Data Service to the new Catalogue of Mental Health Measures that compiles and organises information about mental health measures in over 30 studies. It features descriptions of the studies and the measures of mental health and wellbeing they have collected, as well as information about statistical resources and training.

  • The Catalogue of Mental Health Measures: Discovering the depths of mental health data in UK longitudinal studies.

Thursday 11th February 2021, 16:00-17:30
https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/news-and-events/eventsitem/?id=5719

Register in advance online for free, what more could you ask for!
Enjoy the debates.

Post by: Helen Bell, Research Support Team

Get Set to Goal Set with your Student Advisors

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Now that the whirlwind that was 2020 has come to a close and we’ve entered the part of 2021 where every conversation includes the phrase, ‘do you have any New Year’s resolutions?’ I’ve got a question for you; do you have any academic New Year’s resolutions?

My big goal for this year is to manage my time better! Like most students, I’m so busy with assignments and other commitments that it can be a bit chaotic to try and get everything done on time. It’s not unusual for me to work well into the evening, which isn’t exactly the best study habit to have. Time management is a big source of problems for a lot of students so here’s a quick post to share how I’m going about sticking to my study resolution this year. These strategies aren’t just specific to my goals though, whatever your study goals are, hopefully these points will help you in setting and sticking to your aims.

1.       Break it down

Having a big goal is great but wanting to ‘have better time management’ isn’t very specific. It’s good to have idea of what you’re going to do to reach that goal. For me, that means setting rules such as ‘no working past 10pm.’ It’s much easier to stick to a New Year’s resolution when you know exactly what you need to do, not just what you want as an end result.

2.       Give yourself a time frame

A year is a long time, it can be easy to put things off or lose steam when the goal is so far away so it’s a good idea to give yourself smaller deadlines that are more manageable. I like to set quarterly goals every three months because that time frame is short enough that I’ll stick to it but long enough to get a substantial amount done. What works for you will depend on your preferences, so think it through and choose what is best for you.

3.       Work with friends

If you and a friend both want to improve your timekeeping, why not get together (virtually) and make study timetables together? Keeping each other on track is a great way to stick to your plans and make it more fun. Even if your goals are different, just sharing them can help you stay motivated.

4.       Don’t overwhelm yourself at the start of the year

It can be easy to get carried away with everything you want to do and end up with a mile-long list of goals for the year, but that might not be the best approach. This is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s probably best just to pick a few goals to work at steadily rather than burning yourself out within a month.

5.       Come to a UniSkills session

Start the way you mean to go on by booking on to one of our brand new UniSkills webinars! The Spring programme will be available for you to book on soon and covers a wide range of subjects including academic writing, being critical, Harvard referencing, searching for academic information and much, much more. You can also book a 1-2-1 appointment for more tailored support with our knowledgeable Academic Skills Advisors

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates about what we’re doing in the Library and Learning Services department and how we can support you throughout the year. And while you’re here, let us know in the comments what your #NewYearNewUniSkills study resolutions are!

Student Advisor Lauren
Lauren – MA English
Student Advisor for Library & Learning Services

New Year, New UniSkills!

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🎉 4th-10th January 2021 🎉

There’s no better time than January to start afresh and set some study goals for the year ahead. From action planning your feedback to productivity techniques and perfecting your mindset, we’ve put together a timetable of webinars to boost your motivation and make semester 2 your best yet.

Let’s get to it…

Monday 4 January

*New* Set Your Study Goals in 2021: 11am-12pm

This session looks at the power of goal setting, how to align your environment to support you and online tools for creating vision boards.

Turn your idea of success into clear, actionable goals with a measurable outcome. Along with looking at different ways to visually represent your goals to keep you motivated, this webinar will cover the science behind “goal stacking” and how this can help in your journey towards achieving them.

Tuesday 5 January

*New* Study Smarter in 2021: 11am-12pm

Jam-packed with hints and tips to help you avoid procrastination, revise effectively and find a note-taking method that works for you.

Introducing techniques such as “eat the frog” and the “Pomodoro”, this webinar looks at ways to manage and prioritise your time, as well as looking at why waiting for motivation can hinder your progress. It will also introduce participants to the Cornell and Flow methods of note-taking, as well as different productivity apps to supercharge your studies.

Wednesday 6 January

Grow your Academic Resilience: 3pm-4pm

Come along to this webinar and discover the importance of being academically resilient at University.

A webinar to equip you with practical tools to nurture your own academic resilience, help you recognise the qualities of those with a ‘growth’ as opposed to ‘fixed’ mindset, and help you feel confident in dealing constructively with feedback.

Thursday 7 January

Develop Your Academic Writing: 12pm-1pm

Recognise and understand assessment criteria, apply critical reading and analysis and the importance of integrating referencing.

Building on previous experience learn to recognise and understand assessment criteria, apply critical reading and show critical analysis in your writing and the importance of integrating referencing. This webinar is aimed at students who have some experience in academic writing.

Friday 8 January

How to Action Plan Your Feedback (Bitesize): 11am-11:30pm

Break your feedback down into digestible targets, and learn how to create an action plan that will keep you on track to improve.

We know that receiving academic feedback is not always easy. You might not have received the grade you hoped for, or you don’t fully understand what all the comments mean. This session looks at how to make the most of your tutor’s comments so you can approach your next assignment with confidence.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to have received some academic feedback prior to attending this session. Please bring along one assignment with academic feedback to the session (this is for your use only).

Here in the Student Engagement team we’re so excited to welcome you back, but in the meantime, let us know which sessions you’ve booked on to, or even your own New Year Study Resolutions using the hashtag #NewYearNewUniSkills.

Catalyst at Christmas 🎄

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The days may be getting colder and the term winding down to a close, but here in Library and Learning Services we’re still here to support you through the festive period. While Catalyst’s opening hours are a little different, the good news is you can still access help and information via our online web pages and handy knowledge base, Ask Us.   

Opening times for Catalyst and Helpdesk support this Christmas

Friday 18th December – Catalyst is open 8am-8pm

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December – CLOSED

Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd December – Catalyst ground floor is open 10am-6pm
You will be able to access PCs, study space and printing. Virtual helpdesk support is also available 10am-6pm via our online knowledge base Ask Us and email.

Thursday 24th December – Monday 28th December – CLOSED

Tuesday 29th – 31st December – Catalyst is closed but virtual helpdesk support will be available 10am-6pm via our online knowledge base Ask Us and email.

Friday 1st January – CLOSED

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd January – Catalyst is open 10am-6pm

From Monday 4th January onwards – new opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8am-11pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am-6pm

Changes for 2021

New for 2021 and in line with COVID-safe guidelines we have:

  • Extended Catalyst opening hours from Monday 4th January and will stay open until 11pm Monday to Friday
  • We have opened up more study spaces, including the huts on the ground floor
  • We have increased capacity in the building to allow more students the opportunity to study and use the space
  • We have bookable individual silent study spaces available on our 3rd floor with the option to have a PC or a larger desk
  • Our coffee shop 53.3 Degrees has extended it’s opening hours and will now be open until 6pm Monday to Friday

From everyone in Catalyst, we’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2021!

#SleighYourStudies with motivational tips and techniques from your Student Advisor!

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Hi, my name is Charlotte and I’m a Student Advisor in the Student Engagement Team, providing peer to peer support within Library and Learning Services.

Student Advisor Charlotte at her home study space.

The holidays can be a really great time to get ahead and sleigh your studies in preparation for any assignments or studying that needs to be completed for your second semester. But with the days getting shorter and the weather getting colder, it can be really hard to keep motivated during Winter.

Here are some of my best tips and techniques which help me to stay motivated:

Keep Organised

The holidays are a period where there is a lot of free time, but time is really easy to waste. Creating a timetable or a to do list is a great way of constructing a schedule at home!

Making a to-do list will help you see what you are working towards achieving over the holidays, knowing what your goals are will really help to keep motivated while working towards your end goal. There is brilliant software available to do this such as ‘Microsoft To Do’, which is a task management app available on most devices.

Creating a timetable will allow you to dedicate a few hours a day to studying, which will help you to keep on top of what you need to do while also allowing you to schedule in time to do things you enjoy and to take a break! It will allow you to break down your to do list into more manageable chunks while also providing a routine to stick to during the holidays.

Have a look at the useful guides and toolkits on the ‘Getting Organised’ section of the Edge Hill Uniskills webpages for more time management hints and tips .

Find a cosy workspace

For many of us, we will be returning back home during the holidays and one of the most important things to do is to create a cosy workplace. Doing your university work in a designated study space can help you to separate your workspace and social spaces in the home, make sure you choose a space with minimal distractions, to ensure you can stay really productive while you are studying! 

Another really important way to stay motivated to sleigh your studies is to stay warm, being cold can make you feel tired which will reduce your motivation, so make sure to wrap up with a fluffy jumper or blanket!

Use the Pomodoro Technique

The pomodoro technique encourages you to study in short bursts of 25 minutes with no distractions, and then to take a short break of 5 minutes. Sometimes it can be really hard to start studying but sitting down but spending 25 minutes to complete something on your to do list can make starting your studies a little easier. A short intensive burst will help you gain momentum and make you feel motivated to complete your task! There are loads of apps which use the pomodoro technique, my favourite is Flora, it locks your phone during the 25 minutes and begins to grow a tree, the more you use this technique while you’re studying the more trees you grow!

Get outside and enjoy nature

Going out for a walk is really good for staying motivated and to keep your mind and body healthy during the holidays! Starting your day this way will set you off on a really productive track for the day and you’ll feel like you have achieved something before you have even opened your books to start studying. Or you can venture out into your local area during one of your study breaks, this will help you to clear your mind and help you to produce endorphins, which will boost your mood and your motivation!

Reward Yourself

Using rewards is a great way to motivate yourself to keep on studying, by doing something you enjoy every time you complete a task on your to-do list, you can customise this to whatever you like, it could be catching up on your favourite TV series or having a sweet treat! Make sure you take time out during the holidays to reward yourself for all the hard work you have completed this semester as well, by spending time with family or roommates to celebrate all you have achieved or by treating yourself with something you love!

Keep an eye out on the Library and Learning Services Twitter and Instagram pages throughout December for more of our Student Advisor top motivational study tips.

Sleigh your studies with UniSkills this December!

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With the festive season creeping up faster than a reindeer can fly, you may find your motivation for drafts and deadlines is on a bit of a downhill slope. But never fear! In true UniSkills spirit we’re here to sprinkle your end of term sprint with a little more sparkle, and a little less stress.

Sleigh Your Studies

From the 1st December, keep your eyes peeled for:

🎄Daily tree-mendous tips from your Student Advisors

🎄A wintery selection of UniSkills webinars

🎄Virtual 1-2-1 appointments with our Academic Skills Elves

No need to freeze your studies just yet, here’s what we’ve got in store until the end of term:

❄️Develop Your Academic Writing – Monday 7th December 12-1

❄️Finding Academic Information – Tuesday 8th December 12-1

❄️Using Harvard Referencing – Wednesday 9th December 12-12.45

❄️Being Critical – Thursday 10th December 1-2

❄️Harnessing Digital Accessibility – Friday 11th December 10-11

❄️Develop Your Academic Writing – Monday 14th December 1-2

❄️Returning to Learning – Wednesday 16th December 2-4

While you may not be rockin’ around the library, we still look forward to seeing you in our webinars, 1-2-1s and keeping in touch on our social media channels over the winter break. After all, you didn’t think we were going to leave you out in the cold, did you?!

The happiest of holidays from your Student Advisors and Student Engagement Team! 🎁

You’re our Study Happy Winner 🌟

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Thank you so much to those who have participated in this year’s #StudyHappyWeek competition, it’s been fascinating to see your creative home study setups and even a few furry friends (we’re looking at you Hank, Rocky and Rio)!

Having gathered all of your brilliant entries across Twitter and Instagram, we’re pleased to announce the following winners:

🏆1st Place: @MissBolton8 winning a £30 Amazon eVoucher

🏆2nd Place: @MissDundon winning a £10 Amazon eVoucher

🏆3rd Place: @MissShakeshaft winning a £10 Amazon eVoucher

And for those still in need of some study space inspiration, we’ve collated a few more of your submissions…

Sim

Sim told us that ‘…regarding students having to transition to blended learning is that it might be daunting and troublesome initially but it is important to adapt to the situation we are in and make the most of the experience using available resources since we are already in this scenario and if need be, do not be hesitant in asking for help if they need it!“

Twitter competition entry - Red Bar
View this on Twitter.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth’s new desk has really helped her productivity and I think it’s fair to say we are all missing campus cat! 🐈

“blended learning [is] definitely a big adjustment but luckily I’ve a support network of great friends and really approachable tutors who are all happy to help me. I do miss face to face teaching though (and the campus cat!)”

View this on Twitter.

Laura

Laura says sweets are essential study companions for student nurses! 🏥🍬

View this on Twitter.

Miss Bolton

“Blending learning has been hard, but taking time to come to the library gets me motivated to keep working!”

View this on Twitter.

Again, thank you all for taking part in #StudyHappyWeek, and for sharing your inspiring #MyEHUStudyHappySpace’s. Keep your eyes on our social media for your next campaign coming in December, as we prepare to keep you motivated right through to New Year 🥳

#MyEHUStudyHappySpace

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In a continuation of our Study Happy campaign we decided to extend the #MyEHUStudyHappySpace competition until Monday 16th November…so you still have time to enter and a chance to win up to £30 Amazon eVoucher!

Competition: share your study space with us for the chance to win a £30 Amazon voucher, or one of two £10 Amazon vouchers. T&C apply.

Study Happy is all about finding the perfect study-life balance for you. Part of that process is your study environment. We know this year has been a challenge for many, so it has been super inspiring to see your #StudyHappySpace’s on social media: Twitter and Instagram.

Hannah (and Hank!)

“At first I struggled with online learning during the end of last semester. However this year I am much more engaged in the blended learning approach. I am thoroughly enjoying the present in person sessions and I am engaging well with the online sessions too. My little puppy Hank certainly helps to motivate me, when he isn’t trying to get my attention! I am enjoying being at home and engaging with the sessions in a secure and safe environment.”

Hannah and Hank the dog.
Click here to watch the full video!

Em

“I think blended learning is good, I like having lectures pre-recorded so I can watch them at my own pace and around other responsibilities. I also like having my seminars in person as it allows me to share my ideas properly and have a good discussion with peers and tutors. I have 1 online seminar though, and I find that good as my teacher makes everyone feel really comfortable and really helps us get our ideas out and discuss using the text feature 😊”

Instagram story competition entry - Em's study happy space.

Eleanor

Eleanor claims the benefits of surrounding her study space with plants helps her feel “…calm before I attempt to study, it helps me get in the right mind set 🍃🍃”

Eleanors botanical study space.
Click here to view on Twitter.
We are all fond of that greenery!

Georgia

Georgia is proving size doesn’t matter when it comes to your favourite study space as she “…love[s] to work in the study rooms in the Catalyst 💫”

Click here to view on Twitter.

Jodi (and Rocky!)

“I feel Edge Hill have gone above and beyond in supporting the transition to online learning, I could not be prouder to be a part of the University. All of the teachers have showed amazing resilience and motivated me to do the same, I now feel ready for whatever teaching throws at me! 😄”

Click here to view on Twitter.

If you have been inspired by these entries, get snapping and share your #MyEHUStudyHappySpace with us on Twitter or Instagram. Remember to tag us (so we see it!) and use the #MyEHUStudyHappySpace to spread the important message of Study Happy!

43 days and counting …

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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.

My Staff Development logo with Christmas themed background

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

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.

Screenshot of the LinkedIn Learning courses available underneath the 'Resources' section. Shows three pathways - build, develop and enhance.
Screenshot of the LinkedIn Learning courses available underneath the ‘Resources’ section.

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. 

Online Staff Development

For more information about staff development opportunities, visit the Getting Digital Ready wiki page, which is part of the collaborative My Staff Development offer.

My Staff Development (Programme 2020/21) Logo