Blended Learning

The Teaching Development Unit provides a reliable and sustainable e-learning environment to enable students and staff to engage in flexible learning and teaching. The e-learning environment at UWS incorporates the enterprise wide e-learning system (known as vUWS(opens in a new window)) and associated e-learning technologies and support services.

In 2011 the areas of focus and initiatives include:

• Online feedback (ReMarks trial)
• Managing large classes online
• Engaging in effective retention strategies
• Collaboration and group work online
• Working with Schools in designing for blended learning
• Implementing the E-Learning Quality Framework
• Promoting the awareness and use of e-learning technologies
• Upgrade to Learn 9.1 of the learning management system

Working with Schools in designing for blended learning

The Teaching Development Unit works in partnership with academic staff to provide advice and practical support in curriculum re-design with a particular focus on areas such as assessment, flexible learning and innovative technologies.

A key role of TDU is to develop the capabilities of academic staff in effectively integrating e-learning technologies into their units. Development activities use blended and fully online approaches that model good practice and allow lectures to experience the system from a student's perspective.

Implementing the E-Learning Quality Framework

The Teaching Development Unit has developed an E-Learning Quality Framework which focuses on the improvement of individual sites and the development of academic staff skills, for the explicit purpose of improving student learning in the online environment.

The E-Learning Quality Framework (opens in a new window) consists of three 'layers': Basic Standards, Advanced Standards and a Staff Development Toolkit. This enables designers to develop their own e-learning design skills from a basic level right through to advanced, pedagogical uses of e-learning. The framework provides explicit support systems in place at all stages.

The introduction of Learn 9.1 in 2011 builds upon the existing functionality and features of Campus Edition 8 which many staff are familiar with at UWS. New features in Learn 9.1 foster student collaboration through group spaces and opportunities for staff to create engaging and interactive content, and provide for greater flexibility in the student experience. The Teaching Development Unit will be working with academic staff to enhance their skill set to take advantage of the new features and functions of Learn 9.1.