The University approved a new Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy for 2011-13 in December. The new LTA Strategy has five aims related to improving the experience of our students and staff with regards to learning, teaching and assessment. As part of the development of the LTA Strategy, eight Graduate Attributes were also approved. These define the attributes we want…
The deadline for submitting to the Learning & Teaching Conference has been extended to Monday 16th April 2012. If you want to share your practice in technology enhanced learning with the University, please submit something! The University’s Learning & Teaching Conference provides an opportunity to explore the future of HE. The conference welcomes submissions from…
Staff interested in technology enhanced learning may want to share their practice at our University-wide learning and teaching conference, so we are repeating the call for proposals that went out via email: The University’s Learning and Teaching Conference will take place on Wednesday 11th July. Its main theme is “Higher Expectations: Meeting our Students’ Expectations…
We’re pleased to announce that we had the highest satisfaction rating (94.2%) for our virtual learning environment out of the 65 institutions who participated globally in the 2011 International Student Barometer! This is the second year we have achieved this honor (see last year’s announcement). The university also had the highest satisfaction rating out of UK institutions for available learning technology in general, and second…
This year the annual upgrade of Blackboard will take place on 20 or 21 July. Depending on the length of time needed for the upgrade, Blackboard will be unavailable either Friday evening or Saturday morning/afternoon. Students will not be able to access shuspace and Blackboard sites during the upgrade period. In the unexpected and unlikely event that the upgrade cannot be completed on Friday/Saturday,…
Christmas Ornament by Tim Baker Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone! If you don’t celebrate Christmas then enjoy the university closure time! It’s unlikely there will be any more blog posts until 2012. In the coming year, we’re going to have more case studies for you, a series of six articles on accessibility issues in e-learning,…
Staff may be interested in the chance to have their Blackboard sites or innovative e-learning practice submitted for an award. Blackboard Inc have put out a call for the Blackboard Catalyst Awards and Exemplary Course Program. This global competition honours practitioners who push the boundaries of their educational programs and technology in order to deliver innovative and effective…
In light of the Trade Unions Day of Action on Wednesday 30th November 2011, Liz Winders (Secretary and Registrar) has issued a statement saying that deadlines for assignment submissions due on Wednesday 30th November will now be Thursday 1st December. Ensure that if you have set up SHU Assignments in Blackboard with a Due Date of Wednesday…
This is a follow-up to the blog post about ensuring your external links open in a new window. The Blackboard admin team has managed to change existing External Links so that they will open in a new window. This means that you don’t need to change all of your previously added External Links, though you…
If you tell students to access specific information on Blackboard, be sure to check that students can easily find and access it. For instance: If your site structure is complex, add an Announcement linking directly to the content If you have added new information, ensure it is available (or that it is set to be…