Since 1 August 2019, the University has formed a new Digital Education team, which sees an alliance between Academic Support, Technology & Innovation and TELMeD (Technology Enhanced Learning for Medicine & Dentistry). The Digital Education team will support the University with enhancing teaching and learning through technology.
Learning Technologies support and advice
We support and advise on the use of the core learning technologies provision at the University. This includes Moodle (our virtual learning environment), PebblePad (our ePortfolio), Panopto (for lecture and content recording), Xerte (an interactive content creation tool), LinkedIn Learning (a library of online video courses covering a vast range of topics), TurningPoint (an in-class polling tool for interactive presentations). In addition to these, there are a number of integrated technologies which work seamlessly within the entire Digital Learning Environment, such as the resource and media stores for Moodle or H5P, a tool for creating interactive content, similar to Xerte but built directly in Moodle itself.
With such a wide range of technologies available for teaching and learning, we provide and advisory service to promote and discuss best practice so that the most appropriate tool is used for any given idea. So whether you’re wishing to use technology to promote higher levels of engagement in lectures, shift towards a more blended or online learning approach with your resources, use technology to evidence student reflection, speed up and refine assessment by going online, you may need help from us.
Development & innovation
In addition to the technologies listed above, the team will develop new and innovative applications that benefit teaching and learning. The team merge brings with it an exciting opportunity to draw together a vast amount of design and development skills and experience which will be brought into future project developments. We already have various Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) apps making use of some exciting technologies such as the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and HoloLens. With the ever-increasing use of mobile apps, we will continue to develop and enhance existing mobile and web apps.
Digital capability support
Working with colleagues in Faculties and in the Digital Experience and Platforms team in TIS, we have developed a number of resources to support and enhance digital capabilities for staff and students. These are interactive toolkits based on the Jisc Digital Capability Framework that take the users through a series of checklists highlighting the digital skills and practices needed at different points in time. Each checklist item has supporting resources that help the user learn more about that area. In the student toolkit there are self-check quizzes to complete and a series of reflective profile activities for students to be able to map their progress over time. The staff toolkit has an optional action plan that can be completed and shared where needed. The toolkits are currently being updated, but please contact Digital Education if you would like to know more.
Horizon scanning & research
Finally, we are dedicated to stay abreast of latest developments with technology in education. This includes seeking which learning technologies which are impacting or reforming education across the sector, and capturing best practice with these technologies with the aim of promoting positive enhancements in for the future. By engaging in research we’ll also have the opportunity to investigate emerging technologies and scope upcoming technology enhanced learning trends in both the short and long term.
How to find or contact us
We are physically based in Level 1, 3 Endsleigh Place (Plymouth campus) where staff are welcome to drop-in to discuss anything related to technology enhanced learning. Whether you’re looking to expand on existing academic practice or are at the very beginning of an idea, we are always keen to discuss and offer support for technology being used for teaching, learning and assessment.
We also have a new team e-mail address, please find ‘Digital Education’ in the University directory or use digi-ed@plymouth.ac.uk.