Micro-research: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

At its simplest, Micro-research (also known as Inquiry-based Learning) involves getting students to undertake a relatively small research project and report back to their peers. The purpose of the approach is to encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of the material they have been researching while also developing skills that will be useful for other parts of…

Use of Social Media in LTA at SHU Events – 1 May 2014

Following the success of the first Social Media in LTA event in January, we are putting on two further events. These identical events will run one after the other on the morning of 1St May in Hallam Hall at City campus, and will both showcase ten examples of how colleagues and students are using social…

Why Use Images?

Uses for Images Images can be used in many different ways, ranging from documenting a process through to providing an interesting ‘resting point’ within a dense page of text. The most effective way to use images will depend on the intended effect, for example advertisers and magazine/newspaper editors use striking images to grab our attention…

Case Study: Using screencasts and exercises to develop software skills

This case study explores the use of screencasts and supplemental exercises to support students in developing their competence with a particular piece of software. The software requires a significant amount of time to master but the amount of other material that needed to be covered meant that the this was not possible during the timetabled sessions. Instead, the…

Case Study: Creating Online Accreditation Portfolios

This case study explores the use of Google Sites to support students in developing online portfolios of evidence for professional accreditation. The tutor was looking for a way to reduce the need for students to collate large amounts of paper documents and for staff to distribute these during marking and moderation. The tutor also recognised that…

Case Study: Encouraging Reflective Writing through Blogging

This case study explores the use of student blogging to help students develop skills in reflection, particularly in reflective writing, and highlights how this approach can be used to ease the transition of students into higher education. The tutor wanted a way that would support students through their first few weeks at university and provide a…

Guidance for reading and annotating on-screen

If you want to know more about improving your screen reading experience, marking on-screen, or digital note taking – or you just want some pointers, you’re likely to find this resource really useful:  The reading onscreen wordpress site (readingonscreen.wordpress.com) It’s been put together by York University in response to their staff requesting guidance in this…

Social media resources for students at Sheffield Hallam

A range of resources to support students in their use of social media is now available. Students can access these four resources at http://go.shu.ac.uk/socialmedia.          The resources include  – How to use social media responsibly – a guide for students – explaining why and how students need to be responsible in their use of…

Why Use Audio?

What is it? In this sense, Audio refers to sound recordings that are shared with students in some way, typically through Blackboard. The recordings could be speech, music, ambient sounds, etc. or a mix of these. Uses for Audio There are many uses for audio in Learning, Teaching and Assessment, both by students and staff. These…

Why Use Video?

What is it? Video refers to a sequence of images, usually with accompanying audio, and this stimulation of two senses simultaneously makes video an engaging medium and a very useful learning tool. The videos themselves could take many forms, such as interviews, films, performances, computer screen recordings, ‘talking head’ monologues, demonstrations, debates, etc. The skill and technology requirements…