A Message from The E-Learning Unit
What a month!! It has been incredibly busy for us in The E-Learning Unit. In March we moved QMplus to a cloud based server, Azure and while we had some teething issues, we worked with ITS to resolve this and provide alternative solutions as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience that these changes have had and thank you for your continued patience during these extraordinary times. Now that QMplus is hosted on Azure, we are in a great position to deal with the increased load from holding all the alternative exam assessments online!
In addition to all the testing and meetings this involved, over the past 5 weeks we have held over 35 e-learning workshops online, 24 elearning drop in sessions, received approximately 400 tickets via the Helpdesk and a deluge of inquiries via emails and MS Teams (which we’d love to know the number of)!
Looking ahead, as we begin to plan for teaching in September, be assured that The ELU stands ready to provide support and guidance that will be needed.
Teaching in September
Details on how Schools and Institutes will be supported by the Digital Education Support Team (formed from The ELU and QM Academy staff) and Curio, an external learning design company, for teaching from September will be communicated to key contacts in the coming days. This support will be continual to September and beyond and will be flexible to meet the requirements of each School.
New functionality with Blackboard Collaborate
Most of you know how to use the Collaborate webinar activity in QMplus, but did you know there’s now another version which allows you to access different functionality (such as reports, anonymised chat messages, the ability to upload resources in advance) and more? In this article we talk about the pros and cons of the Collaborate activity vs the LTI solution (external tool activity), so you can choose which is the best approach for you. Plus in this guide you can read all about how to configure Blackboard Collaborate via the external tool.
Staff development opportunities in May
Workshops
An introduction to ABC Learning Design
- Wednesday 6th of May, 2-3pm
- Wednesday 13th of May, 2-3pm
- Wednesday 20th of May, 2-3pm
- Wednesday 27th of May, 2-3pm
Running Webinars with Blackboard Collaborate
- Monday 4th of May, 3-4pm
- Thursday 7th of May, 2-3pm
- Monday 11th of May, 3-4pm
- Thursday 14th of May, 11am-12pm
- Monday 18th of May, 11am-12pm
- Thursday 21st of May, 2-3pm
- Tuesday 26th of May, 2-3pm
- Thursday 28th of May, 2-3pm
- Monday 4th of May, 3-4pm
- Tuesday 12th of May, 2-3pm
- Wednesday 20th of May, 11am-12pm
- Thursday 28th of May, 2-3pm
Online Assessment (Essay Submission) using QMplus
- Tuesday 5th of May, 11am-12pm
- Wednesday 13th of May, 2-3pm
- Tuesday 19th of May, 11am-12pm
- Wednesday 27th of May, 11am-12pm
Online Assessment using QMplus Quizzes
- Tuesday 5th of May, 3-4pm
- Thursday 7th of May, 11am-12pm
- Tuesday 12th of May, 3-4pm
- Thursday 14th of May, 11am-12pm
- Tuesday 19th of May, 3-4pm
- Thursday 21st of May, 11am-12pm
- Tuesday 26th of May, 3-4pm
- Thursday 28th of May, 11am-12pm
Please register attendance via the CPD website.
Drop-in Sessions and Book a Learning Technologist
Drop-in sessions are still being held online every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-2pm. There’s no need to tell us you’re coming; just drop-in via the Blackboard Collaborate webinar link on our E-Learning Online Support area on QMplus.
If you’d like to discuss something in more detail, appointments are available through our Book a Learning Technologist service. Book a one hour appointment with a member of the team to discuss your use of technology in more detail.
