Learning from Moving OnlineUniversity of Worcester Learning and Teaching Conference 2020

#UWLT2020

Page 1 of 11

Learning from Moving Online The University of Worcester annual Learning and Teaching conference is a forum where innovation and creative teaching practice is explored and shared. In what has been a truly exceptional period for everyone involved in Higher Education and in particular learning and teaching, we are truly pleased to be able to host this years’ event online.

Learning and Teaching has, due to COVID19, seen a significant transition into our digital online spaces. The conference aims to showcase examples of effective and innovative practice in moving learning and teaching online from March 2020, and to stimulate thinking about strategies for learning and teaching within a more blended mode for September 2020.

The conference will be opened by Professor Sarah Greer, (Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost), Dr Marie Stowell (Director of Quality and Educational Development) and Dr Elaine Swift (Head of Digital Learning and Teaching) who will update on plans for September and outline principles for successful learning design in the ‘new normal’.

The conference will be split into three themed strands around the main theme of moving online:

Student Engagement Online

Colleagues will be presenting on their experiences with engaging students online and designing inclusive approaches to engaging students online

Active Online learning and teaching

How colleague have approached the rapid adaptation or re-design of learning and teaching to deliver active learning and teaching online and design digitally accessible online learning activities.

Wild card

Colleagues will be presenting on a variety of topics related to moving online including online assessments, personal academic tutoring, student and staff wellbeing, or working as remote course teams.

Page 2 of 11

Learning and Teaching Conference 2020Thursday 11th June 2020, 9.30-12.30 Online

RegistrationRegistration for the conference is online via the Staff Development website

Once registered, conference participants will be provided with access to the Conference Microsoft Teams site where there are opportunities to network with colleagues online, ask queries and continue conversations beyond the conference itself. Information about the conference and the conference presentations slides will also be made available on the site.

All of the conference will be presented via Blackboard Collaborate. The links to the relevant webinars are included below within the programme schedule. All sessions will have a Chair and in addition a moderator will be present to manage queries and questions arising in the Chat facility in Blackboard Collaborate.

Conference participants do not have to register for a particular strand of the conference, but we ask that participants stay in a particular strand until after the question and answer section to help both the presenters, chair and moderators.

Please note that all webinar sessions will be recorded.

Time Activity Online Location9.00-9.30 Pre-registration Please join us in the conference MS

Teams site for a chat ahead of the conference starting.

9.30-10.00 Introductions and Welcome – Marie Stowell

Thinking Ahead to the new academic year – Sarah Greer

Key principles for the design of successful online teaching and learning – Elaine Swift

Blackboard Collaborate link for introductory session

10.00-10.05 Shuffle time

Page 3 of 11

10.05-10.45 Parallel Strands Part One Student Engagement Online Active Online Learning and Teaching Wildcard

Blackboard Collaborate Links – please click on link below to enter relevant webinar

Student Engagement Online Active Online Learning and

Teaching Wildcard

10.45-11.00 Comfort Break / Coffee Please join us on MS Teams if you wish to continue conversations

11.00-11.40 Parallel Strands Part Two Student Engagement Online Active Online Learning and Teaching Wildcard

Blackboard Collaborate Links – please click on link below to enter relevant webinar

Student Engagement Online Active Online Learning and

Teaching Wildcard

11.40-11.45 Shuffle Time

11.45-12.10 Feedback from Chairs on key ideas/themes emerging from strandsDiscussions with from Marie Stowell, Elaine Swift, Sarah Greer and Elizabeth Symonds (Head of TEL Unit) Chair: Jo Rouse, Moderator: Helen Scott

Blackboard Collaborate link for feedback and summary sessions

12.10-12.30 Conference close and an opportunity to hear about ongoing webinar series to share further moving online practice

Page 4 of 11

Parallel Strands Part One

Student Engagement Online Active Online Learning and Teaching Wild cardChair: Lesley SpiersModerator: Alison Reeves

Chair: Kay Emblen-PerryModerator: Debra Price

Chair: Sean BrackenModerator: Dawn Goodall

10.05 Ms Des McCannon, Mr Stephen Fowler, School of Arts:'Workshops at Home': the presentation will explore a pilot project that looks at ways to deliver studio-based skills workshops remotely building on the informal 'Biscuit Club' community of learners at the Art House'

Prof Dawn Brooker and Dr Chris Russell, School of Allied Health & CommunityLevel 7 Person-Centred Dementia Studies fully online provision: Engaging hearts and minds of busy practitioners

Dr Robert Herbert and Dr Mike Wheeler, School of Science and the Environment,The good, the bad and the digital: Maintaining academic rigour in online assessment

10.20 Ms Josie Kemeys, School of Humanities:Let’s Collaborate: creating an engaging, shared space for online learning

Mr David Hickman, Schools of Sports and Exercise ScienceTeaching using Blackboard Collaborate; Staff and Student Perceptions and an Example of PBL for Sports Injury Diagnosis

Mr Tim Wheeler, School of ArtsDisconnecting and re-connecting with our students

10.35-10-45

Q&A Session Q&A Session Q&A Session

Page 5 of 11

Parallel Strands Part Two

Student Engagement Online Active Online Learning and Teaching Wild card11.00 Miss Holly Andrews and Clare

Taylor, Worcester Business School:Coaching without talking; Moving interactive and interpersonal pedagogy online

Marion de-Almedia Santos, Susan Thomas, Lisa Stephens and Tina Dennis, School of Nursing and MidwiferyCovid 19 and online learning.

Dr Blaire Morgan and Miss Laura Simmons, School of PsychologyWellbeing Wednesdays: An online 'positive education' programme to promote wellbeing

11.15 Mrs Elena Lengthorn, School of EducationBelonging and Community

Mr Martin Hilliard & Ms Charlotte Watkins, School of Allied Health & CommunityReady Paramedic One: Online Simulation for Paramedic Students

Dr Jennifer Hatley, School of EducationThe Silliness Sessions

11.30-11.40

Q&A Session Q&A Session Q&A Session

Page 6 of 11

Conference Abstracts

Student Engagement OnlinePart OneMs Des McCannon, Mr Stephen Fowler, School of Arts:

Title: 'Workshops at Home': the presentation will explore a pilot project that looks at ways to deliver studio-based skills workshops remotely building on the informal 'Biscuit Club' community of learners at the Art House'

Abstract: The 'Biscuit Club' at the Art House blends conviviality, experimentation and peer learning to foster and encourage studio culture outside of the formal curriculum. The presentation will describe the rationale for a pilot project with participants of Biscuit Club to deliver studio-based skills workshops remotely using a combination of online and postal materials.

Ms Josie Kemeys, School of Humanities:

Title: Let’s Collaborate: creating an engaging, shared space for online learning

Abstract: The presentation will cover the broader use of Blackboard Collaborate and tools such as whiteboards and screen-sharing to encourage effective sharing of online spaces between staff and students. Recent experience has shown that helping students to take ownership of the online environment can stimulate participation and promote inclusivity for all.

Part TwoMiss Holly Andrews and Clare Taylor, Worcester Business School:

Title: Coaching without talking; Moving interactive and interpersonal pedagogy online

Abstract: This presentation will examine the challenges faced when attempting to translate small group coaching sessions from the classroom environment to the virtual classroom. Changes made to the way we delivered coaching and what was successful will be discussed.

Page 7 of 11

Mrs Elena Lengthorn, School of Education

Title: Belonging and Community

Abstract: The presentation explores the lessons learned from an online Sustainability Leadership course and how the practice of developing emotional connections in a virtual environment were transferred into practice working with ITE trainees.

Active Online Learning and TeachingPart OneProf Dawn Brooker and Dr Chris Russell, School of Allied Health & Community

Title: Level 7 Person-Centred Dementia Studies fully online provision: Engaging hearts and minds of busy practitioners

Abstract: We reflect on the first year of delivering the fully online masters-level modules in Person-Centred Dementia Studies. Lessons learnt and plans for the future are identified. Included also are emerging insights in transforming pedagogy so distance learning can enable people living with dementia and family carers to contribute to teaching.

Mr David Hickman, Schools of Sports and Exercise Science

Title: Teaching using Blackboard Collaborate; Staff and Student Perceptions and an Example of PBL for Sports Injury Diagnosis

Abstract: This presentation will include an example of PBL to develop critical thinking, and as assessment preparation tool for final year students. Staff and student perceptions of this, and the wider transition to online teaching via the use of Blackboard Collaborate, will also be discussed.

Page 8 of 11

Part TwoMarion de-Almedia Santos, Susan Thomas, Lisa Stephens and Tina Dennis, School of Nursing and Midwifery

Title: Covid 19 and online learning.

Abstract: The teaching of clinical skills is an integral component of undergraduate nursing and midwifery education. The teaching teams have been developing innovative ways of teaching in the virtual classroom, seeking early evaluation from students. This presentation combines the responses from both the nursing and midwifery teams on running online sessions which would normally have been taught in the classroom.

Mr Martin Hilliard & Ms Charlotte Watkins, School of Allied Health & Community

Title: Ready Paramedic One: Online Simulation for Paramedic Students

Abstract: This presentation will explore how the paramedic team used visual stimuli (including video, still photography, ECGS and monitor pictures) alongside the interactive features of Blackboard collaborate, to effectively engage students with the timeline of a real-life ambulance call.

WildcardPart OneDr Robert Herbert and Dr Mike Wheeler, School of Science and the Environment

Title: The good, the bad and the digital: Maintaining academic rigour in online assessment

Abstract: The Covid-19 crisis has led to many changes in University assessment, not least a move of exams from physical presence within an exam hall to students sitting these exams at home, online. This has led to many novel innovations many of which may be useful after the outbreak is over. In this presentation we discuss examples of the successful implementation of ‘emergency measures’ to ensure students are assessed appropriately in BIOS 1201 and an example of online examination that has been running successfully for several years in a Level 6 module, BIOS3109 Genomics & Bioinformatics. We also show that the move to online assessment can still maintain academic rigor.

Page 9 of 11

Mr Tim Wheeler, School of Arts

Title: Disconnecting and re-connecting with our students

Abstract: How can we develop teaching and learning, using dramaturgical strategies, to support communities in lockdown? This presentation will explore evolving strategies focused on the delivery and assessment of theatre and performance modules via the online platform Zoom.

Part TwoDr Blair Morgan and Miss Laura Simmons, School of Psychology

Title: Wellbeing Wednesdays: An online 'positive education' programme to promote wellbeing

Abstract: The School of Psychology has implemented an 8-week programme of online sessions (on topics including mindfulness, gratitude, resilience and optimism) to support wellbeing alongside academic skills. Here, we introduce this ‘positive education’ approach. A student perspective will further outline how this has inspired the Psychology Society’s subsequent study session initiative designed to maintain support and community within the School.

Dr Jennifer Hatley, School of Education

Title: The Silliness Sessions

Abstract: A sense of belonging and community aids retention especially in times of crisis. This presentation takes a light-hearted look at what has worked in the Department of Education and Inclusion to maintain a sense of community and belonging, enjoy each other’s company and gain a break from the challenges everyone has been facing.

Page 10 of 11

Page 11 of 11