What was the main focus of the support you were given prior to Covid-19?
The main focus of support I was given was in using Planet eStream. Although there is loads of functionality in it, it isn't intuitive at all, so I needed help to be able to work it, as in the actual mechanics of accessing and using the Planet estream software and making the videos accessible to my students via Moodle, so a bit of help with Moodle as well. I was helped by Phil Devine, Phil Tubman, and Dale Munday
How have you found/dealt with the transition to fully online provision?
It's been fine thus far, the main challenges have been in relation to not having the same hardware and software set up as I had in the office. My computer is highly customised in terms of shortcuts on screen, and where all my files are, and I work with two screens which I find invaluable. Having to make a sudden transition to an unfamiliar laptop posed challenges in terms of finding where software was when all my shortcuts had gone, and using one screen instead of two, so having to switch between tabs a lot on the single screen instead of quickly switching between two documents that you can view full size simultaneously, each on one screen. Also, getting the software to work on different laptops and a chromebook was a challenge, fortunately I took my headset with me, but then it was accessing the mic and camera, and using different software operating systems.
The switch to fully online, ironically, has highlighted to me how much I love and miss face to face teaching in the physical space of the classroom. It's highlighted to me that neither physical teaching on its own, nor fully online, I believe, can substitute for the other, but rather, that both can enhance the other when used in tandem. The transfer online has made me think more about accessibility issues and digital divide, which I hope to explore more in the future.
Has the past support limited the work you've had to do?
No, quite the opposite; it has facilitated and expanded the possibilities for developing more online working. I could always get the help I wanted and those mentioned were keen to suggest variations and developments. My Department has also been supportive which helps give me the confidence to try new things.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I'm very grateful for the help I've had as I couldn't have developed my current online teaching practise without it. The data I gathered has shown that it's made a very positive difference to my students' learning experience, and I'm confident that I can develop this further. I hope to share my experiences with my colleagues and show them how to use eStream.
What was the main focus of the support you were given prior to Covid-19?
I was supported for the setting up and running of the work the students and I did on OneNote, Flipgrid, and other ad-hoc issues I may have had. Dale had also set up a Teams group for those colleagues interested in e-innovations.
How have you found/dealt with the transition to fully online provision?
For me this has been fairly straightforward since I have always used e-learning in my teaching both synchronously and asynchronously. Additionally, I had become familiar with the 365 package last year, which has facilitated the transition further. Online teaching takes a different degree of preparation and interaction but with some planning the virtual approach should not be an hindrance for anyone. The only thing I can say here is that it has taken me a lot of time to create online classes for those modules on which I teach but for which I am not the convener - my colleague never having used anything apart from Moodle and emails.
Has the past support limited the work you've had to do?
Yes, the past support has really helped me to speed thing up as I was already familiar with the software used in the transition to online teaching (especially since the move had to happen extremely fast given the circumstances). I think I had an advantage compared to other colleagues who are not using e-learning in their teaching.
What was the main focus of the support you were given prior to Covid-19?
I watched online training courses on the digital skills site, attended a face to face training session on Xerte in the library and had one to one meetings with Dale to talk through opportunities with using OneNote and Teams as a learning platform.
How have you found/dealt with the transition to fully online provision?
I’ve found it really interesting and quite an exciting opportunity, despite the sad circumstances that surround the need for online provision. Our students are distance learners anyway, so not a massive change apart from making face to face workshops online via a teams platform - exciting to be able to use technology in a new way! I’ve found the CV19 teams group and teams Innovation Education groups (now merged into the Digital Education Network) really useful to keep track of what is going on in developments in other areas of the university, and great to share ideas.
Has the past support limited the work you've had to do?
Working as an Associate I am usually based off site, so if I am able to come onto campus there has been no limit to the support available, but I now wonder whether online / remote support will be more accessible/available in the future. The Teams sites are great for accessing further information offsite, and the digital skills team are all great at responding and helping out - so thank you!
Anything else you’d like to add?
It would be great to have a more ‘formal’ sharing of good practice / ideas from all over the university and how different departments have adapted and created resources for their students - but I’m sure you have thought of this already!
What was the main focus of the support you were given prior to Covid-19?
Following the revision of an existing module and watching how a lecturer over in Australia had developed a Teams-based learning platform for his engineering module, I was keen to develop something similar for my Engineering Management module. I’d had an initial meeting with Dale Munday who’d shown me some of the features of Teams and the potential for developing the Teams space to support the delivery of the module.
How have you found/dealt with the transition to fully online provision?
Whilst I’m not teaching this term, I’ve found the transition relatively straight forward and have been able to assist several colleagues with teething issues that they have had. I’m confident in using Teams and it’s not been a daunting prospect switching to online delivery.
Has the past support limited the work you've had to do?
The past support I’ve received has definitely limited the work I’ve had to do to get up to speed with using Microsoft Teams. The amount of preparation before a meeting or tutorial is akin to a face to face meeting and it is largely irrelevant that it is being carried out online.
Anything else you’d like to add?
The support I have received has been excellent and exactly what I required. I feel a small sense of smugness that I was ahead of the curve in adopting Microsoft Teams although I still have plenty to develop, and the proof will be in the success of delivery, so I am being mindful of this.
What was the main focus of the support you were given prior to Covid-19?
I was given extensive help on setting up One Note and Flipgrid to deliver a first year Exercise Physiology module. I was mainly using the video for assessing skill competencies on exercise screening. I hoped students would learn from each other's videos on how to perform the tests accurately. My early experimentation with collaborative learning within the lab of filling in worksheets had some minor faults which I learnt a lot from.
How have you found/dealt with the transition to fully online provision?
I have found the transition exciting and quite easy. Early preparation was the key and I sought specialist help in setting up a channel on the Microsoft Teams to deliver my Exercise Medicine second year module. Creating the infrastructure for the module then allowed me to focus on preparing the material to be delivered. Once the presentations and worksheets have been written I could then focus on how best to deliver the module to maximise learning on-line.
Has the past support limited the work you've had to do?
Definitely as I have felt confident in exploring what online has to offer. I am conscious of focusing on how the students learn and engage them in the process.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Having a go and not being frightened to fail has been key. Sharing the journey with the students and talking about learning as a process rather than the content has helped. I am open to my weaknesses and how the students can teach me.
Definitely having Dale Munday spend time with me going through options for delivery and demonstrating how the technology could help me was essential to me gaining confidence in delivering online.
I am looking forward to the challenge after Easter. We already use online learning for so many things as Google becomes the go to when we want to find anything out. Critical analysis of material will be a focus for the module and collaborative learning. I will be delivering the material synchronously to keep the lectures and seminars at the times the had been planned for.
