Simulation: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

Simulation refers to the imitation of real-world activities and processes in a safe environment. Simulations aim to provide an experience as close to the ‘real thing’ as possible; however, a simulated activity has the advantage of allowing learners to ‘reset’ the scenario and try alternative strategies and approaches. This allows learners to develop experience of specific situations by applying their wider learning…

Critiquing: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

Critiquing is an approach that encourages students to consider their own work by drawing comparisons with the work of their peers. Traditionally, students will submit their work to be critiqued by fellow students and perform their own critique on the work of one or more peers. Through this process the students get feedback on their work from their fellow students and,…

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…

What is Augmented Reality?

This is part of a regular series of articles exploring some of the terms used in e-learning (view other articles in the series).  We’ll do our best to break down the jargon and explain what things are from a basic perspective. Augmented Reality (AR) refers to technology which overlays additional information onto a person’s experience…

What is an Electronic Voting System (EVS)?

This is part of a regular series of articles exploring some of the terms used in e-learning (view other articles in the series).  We’ll do our best to break down the jargon and explain what things are from a basic perspective. An ‘Electronic Voting System’ (EVS) is a system that allows presenters to ask multiple…

What are Pecha Kucha presentations?

Pecha Kucha (or, more formally, Pecha Kucha 20×20) is a style of presentation where each presentation lasts exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The reason for this is that the presentation is made up of 20 slides, each of which is displayed for 20 seconds before automatically moving onto the next. The format originated in 2003 as…

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…

What are Open Badges?

This is part of a regular series of articles exploring some of the terms used in e-learning (view other articles in the series).  We’ll do our best to break down the jargon and explain what things are from a basic perspective. Open Badges are a visual way to recognise and display learning, personal development and…

Example Prezi Presentation

Why Use Powerpoint Alternatives?

What are they? Powerpoint (and similar software such as Apple’s Keynote) is an extremely popular tool for supporting presentions and lectures, and has almost become synonymous with ‘presentation’; however, while it is widely used, there has also been criticism that it is responsible for dull presentations that, among other things, don’t engage the listener and are often too dense in information…