Author: Mandy Harcup (Page 2 of 3)

Guest Blogger Wanted!

September 2, 2019 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

Rather than just us rambling on, we’d like to invite colleagues from within the University community to write a blog for us. We’d like your blog to be associated with technology in some shape or form, but that’s not always necessary.

It’s often difficult to get started, so we’ve detailed some types of content that we’re interested in publishing in the hope that it might prompt you to tell your story:

Have you tried a piece of software that you found amazing? Or started using a new App that you want to shout about? It could help you with your studies, get you ready for the exams period or calm you down after a really stressful day.
Have you attended a conference where new technology was demonstrated and you’d like to share with colleagues across the University.
Have you produced a course introductory video with us, and want to encourage others to do the same? You could embed this video into your blog post.
Have you attended a TEL training session or an Academic Development (AcDev) workshop and then incorporated what you learnt into your teaching? How has our help and support prompted you to go on and put your learning into practice. Tell us how your audience responded, was it a success or a failure?
Have you taken a LinkedIn course and want to write your verdict on it? How did you feel using LinkedIn? Would you use it again? Will you/have you implemented what you learnt into your teaching?

When you start to think about writing a blog, even one on a topic you’re familiar with, does your mind go blank? If so, you’ll find some help and tips on what makes a successful blog in our first ever post Why Blog? Good question, why blog indeed?. If you want to gain more confidence and knowledge before tackling your first blog try taking a course on LinkedIn, there are a wealth of informative videos on blogging, and also some aimed at creating a blog, and finding images for blogging. Some of these are videos which are only a couple of minutes long, so go on, take a look, you know, you want to! 😉

For a slightly longer course take a look at the Writing a Compelling Blog Post by Starshine Roshell. Starshine is an award-winning journalist and writing coach, her course covers areas such as, content, structure, style policies, much the same as other courses, but she also demonstrates how to personalise your blog “by developing your own voice” and how to turn your knowledge into a brief, passionate, but sensitive blog that will make people want to read it. Starshine includes a Blog Checklist, which reminds you of things to keep in mind when writing your own content, and is certainly useful to look at once you’ve completed your writing.

If you’re interested in writing a blog for us, email elearn@port.ac.uk with your ideas on a subject, we are always happy to hear your suggestions and discuss with you.

Come on get in touch!! …

Photo by Plush Design Studio on Unsplash

Photo by My Life Through A Lens on Unsplash

Bespoke TEL Training Sessions

August 5, 2019 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning) will be offering bespoke training sessions over the summer period, timetabled TEL training sessions will resume in September.

Informal 1-2-1 bespoke sessions can be held at your desk, or if there are several of you interested in a session we have a room available where you can request a more structured group session. Topics for bespoke sessions can be based around our traditional TEL programme, or we can tailor the session to answer any specific questions or needs that you require.

Please complete a Bespoke Training Request form (see below) and simply tick the box next to the session you would like training on. If you tick ‘Other’ please give a brief explanation of the topic you wished to be covered in the session. Complete with the date on which you would like your training session to take place, along with your preferred time and finish it by clicking ‘SUBMIT’.

Please click on the link below for the Bespoke Training Request form:

Bespoke Training Request Form

Once we receive your form, a member of the TEL team will contact you to confirm your training arrangements.

NB: Bespoke TEL training sessions can also be arranged throughout the year.

Credit image: Photo by You X Ventures on Unsplash

Did you know? - creating new modules 2019-20

New Modules for Moodle 2019-20

June 24, 2019 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

As one academic year comes to an end, it’s time to start planning ahead. Do you have approval for any new 2019/20 modules? Would you like to start creating them now?

Take the following simple steps to setup your new Moodle modules.

Step 1

Complete the New Moodle Module Request form on the Service Desk Landing Portal, click on the Log a service request icon.

This will bring you to the My Services page, firstly make sure that you are on the All My Services tab, then select the Moodle link.

Step 2

On the Moodle service page, click on blue Moodle Request on the lower half of the screen.

Step 3

From the Moodle Request page, click on the drop-down arrow alongside What would you like to do? Select Request a new module to be created on Moodle, then click Next. Use the page that appears to input the details of your module. Please make sure that all mandatory fields (denoted by a red asterisk) are completed.

Step 4

When you’re happy with the information you have supplied click Finish. Once the form has been submitted you’ll receive an email confirming your request and a reference number.

We’ll get to work creating your site for you and then we’ll send you an email to confirm when it’s ready for you to create. Don’t forget to ask for help from your faculty Online Course Developers, should you need it.

You’ll notice that Moodle modules look a little different this year, as we’ve incorporated a Moodle Baseline template. The Moodle Baseline template features five tabs: welcome, module overview, learning outcomes, reading lists and assessment. For more information about the Moodle Baseline there is a dedicated website for guidance and help. Or you can attend one of our TEL Training Moodle Baseline workshops, see our full schedule here.

Credit Image: Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash

coloured labels with different areas covered in our workshops

TEL Training Sessions – Update

April 29, 2019 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

Can’t spare 2 hours (let alone 3 hours) to attend TEL Training sessions, but would like to . . . . . well you can now!

We’ve reviewed our sessions and have been able to reduce the running times of our longest sessions to make them easier to fit into the already busy working day. We’d like as many of you as possible to be able to attend our sessions, so in reducing the running times (in some cases by 50%) by keeping content relevant but concise, we hope more of you will be able to join our sessions in the future.

How do I find more information on TEL Training Sessions?

You’ll find our calendar with all our new times and full description on the sessions we run by going to the Department of Curriculum and Quality Enhancement (DCQE) website and clicking on the TEL Training Calendar.

Where else can I book onto the sessions?

The calendar on our blog pages also indicates the training sessions with a dot underneath the date, just click on the dot and the session information will appear. You can also book yourself onto a session here; just click the button at the bottom. Feel free to switch through the months to see what training sessions are coming up.

Who are your training sessions for?

Primarily, the workshops are for lecturers and PHD Students, but they can be adapted for professional service members of staff too. If you’re not available at the times of our training events, or if the programme does not cover a specific area you’re interested in, we can offer a 1-2-1 session tailored to your needs. In addition, if there’s a group of people in your department who would like a session to update their knowledge in a certain area, we can also arrange that. We have a meeting room here in Mercantile House, but we can always come to you. To arrange these bespoke sessions, firstly complete the Bespoke Training Request form, click here give us a brief outline into which areas you’d like the training to cover and for how many people, someone will then contact you to discuss your requirements.

So if you’ll looking to embark on a project involving technology, or if you would simply like some support or advice on how to use the various elearning tools available at the University, the TEL team are here to help.

We look forward to welcoming you at one of our training events in the near future.

Moodle – Teaching Block 2 Modules

December 14, 2018 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

One query which we often receive from students here in TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning), is concern that one or more modules are missing from their Moodle homepage. This is usually because the modules they are enquiring about, are for Teaching Block 2.

Teaching Block 2 modules are normally hidden from student view until the day students return from the Christmas break. Teaching Block 2 starts this year on Monday 21st January 2018. However, this is not always the case as some modules have two different cohorts of students attached to them. These modules may have a short name that looks similar to this: UXXXXX-18SEP & 18JAN. Depending how the module has been set up, both cohorts may have access to the unit in September, or maybe the January cohort won’t be able to see the module until the lecturer releases it to them at a later date.

Lecturers decide when to release their Teaching Block 2 module(s). Some prefer to release them when the students leave for the Christmas break so that they can start looking at them, while others wait until the first day back or when the first session starts. Some students may be able to see their Teaching Block 2 modules now. It really is up to the individual lecturer.

We’re often also asked why does the January code not reflect the new year – for example, why does the code say 18JAN and not 19JAN, as in 2019. This is because the code is taken from the academic year in which the course started, so as this academic year started in 2018, the code you’ll see is 18JAN. However if your course starts in the new year, it will have the 19JAN code.

It can be confusing, but as long as you can see your module(s) when the lecturer says you should be able to see them, that’s the main thing. If you can’t see your module(s), please email us at servicedesk@port.ac.uk.

In the meantime, the TEL Team would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Using Service Desk for your TEL Queries

November 21, 2018 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

Firstly, please don’t be alarmed – the elearn email address is not disappearing! We would just like to encourage everyone to start using Service Desk for their Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) queries.

Why email Service Desk rather than eLearn

For You:

Confidence knowing straight away that your query has been logged.
That by accessing your Self Service Portal you’ll be able to track your query.
Should you ever need to revisit the email again, it’ll be easy to do so through the call reference number.

For Us:

Traceability of emails: we often have to provide evidence for ECFs (e.g. Was Turnitin down on a certain date? Did my student report problems in Moodle on this date?)
As a team we can clearly see who is actioning which query, and no emails will be lost in the system.
The IT Service Management (ITSM) tool, Service Manager (was Supportworks), can supply reports and analytics quicker than us working our way through elearn email folders.

Some background information

Some of you may already be familiar with Service Manager, but for those of you who are not, the ITSM tool records all queries to the Service Desk for IS and for other departments in the University. ITSM helps to standardise the IT procedures across departments.

How does it work?

From the moment you contact Service Desk (servicedesk@port.ac.uk or telephone them on +44 (0) 23 9284 7777), a call reference number is allocated to your query.
The email is acknowledged by return, supplying the customer with a call reference number.
At the same time Service Desk logs the call and assigns it to the DCQE Group.
A member of the TEL team will accept the query and will try to resolve it.
If further information is required to complete your request. The TEL member of staff will reply to the original email, if this happens, the query is put ‘on-hold’.
This number can be tracked through your Self Service Portal (http://myport.ac.uk/), servicedesk.port.ac.uk, where you can check the status.
Once completed, the customer is emailed back with the actions that have resolved the query.
The call reference number stays with the query so should the issue arise again we’ll be able see how it was resolved.
If a pattern appears we’ll either be able to prevent it occurring or be in a position to inform other Moodle users.
Templates are available for you to complete (in some cases) on your UoP Self Service Portal, so that TEL can action your request immediately, as you would have supplied all the key information e.g. new modules, adding members of staff to your modules etc.
All the TEL team will be able to see if a query status has changed and should the original member be away from work, one of their colleagues would be able to complete your query.

Please remember whichever way you choose to raise your query, either via elearn or the service desk, we’ll endeavor to resolve your query and get back to you as soon as possible.

New Modules for Moodle 2018-19

August 7, 2018 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

You may remember that we introduced a new way to request new Moodle modules last year, since then the service desk has been updated so we thought we’d show you a refresher on how to request your site.

All you have to do is complete the New Moodle Module Request form on the Service Desk Landing Portal. To start, select Log a service request.

This will bring you to the ‘My Services’ page, firstly make sure that you are on the All My Services tab, then select the Moodle link

You’ll then see the Moodle service page, click on Moodle Request on the lower half of the screen, Click on the blue Moodle Request link.

You’ll then see the Moodle Request page, click on the drop down arrow alongside What would you like to do? Select Request a new module to be created on Moodle, then click Next.

Use the page that appears to input the details of your module. Please make sure that all mandatory fields (denoted by a red asterisk) are completed.

When you’re happy with the information you’ve supplied click Finish. Once the form has been submitted you’ll receive an email confirming your request and a reference number.

We’ll get to work creating your site for you and then we’ll send you an email to confirm when it’s ready for you to use. Don’t forget to ask for help from your faculty Online Course Developers should you need it.

People either side of a map, a camera, a laptop, some writing paper and pens

New Features of Moodle and Bespoke TEL Training Sessions

June 13, 2018 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

During August TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning) will be offering New Features of Moodle 3.5 and bespoke training sessions only. The usual timetabled TEL training sessions will resume in September.

New Features of Moodle 3.5 sessions

Each year new features are added and old tools are upgraded to improve functionality. The New Features of Moodle sessions will look at the latest features of Moodle that have changed since the roll over. Any updates or new features of our latest Moodle will be included in the session to help you keep up to date with the workings of the system.

To view our training sessions, please see the TEL Training Calendar.

Bespoke Sessions

Informal 1-2-1 sessions can be held at your desk, or if there are several of you interested in a session we have a room available where you can request a more structured group session. Topics for bespoke sessions can be based around our traditional TEL programme, or we can tailor the session to answer any specific questions or needs that you require.

Please click here for the Bespoke Training Request form:

Bespoke Training Request Form

Once we receive your form, a member of the TEL team will contact you to confirm your training arrangements.

NB: Bespoke TEL training sessions can also be arranged throughout the year.

Background image credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-book-business-cactus-297755/

A hand just about to open a reading book

Guest Bloggers Wanted!

April 23, 2018 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

So here we are a whole year later and the Tel Tales blog is still going strong!

Rather than just us rambling on, we’d like to invite colleagues from around the University to write a blog for us. We’d like your blog to be associated with technology in some shape or form, but that’s not always necessary.

It’s often difficult to get started, so we’ve detailed some types of content that we’re interested in publishing in the hope that it might prompt you to tell your story:

- Have you’ve tried a piece of software that you found amazing? Or started using a new App that you want to shout about? It could help you with your studies, get you ready for the exams period or calm you down after a really stressful day.

- Have you attended a conference where new technology was demonstrated and you’d like to share with colleagues across the University.

- Have you produce a course introductory video with us, and want to encourage others to do the same? You could embed this video into your blog post.

- Have you attended a TEL training session and then incorporated what you learnt into your teaching? Tell us how your audience responded, was it a success or a failure?

- Have you taken a Lynda.com course and want to write your verdict on it? How did you feel using Lynda.com? Would you use it again? Have you been able to implement what you learnt on Lynda.com into your teaching?

When you start to think about writing a blog, even one on a topic you’re familiar with, does your mind go blank? If so, you’ll find some help and tips on what makes a successful blog in our first ever post Why Blog? Good question, why blog indeed?. If you want to gain more confidence and knowledge before tackling your first blog try taking a course on Lynda.com, there are a wealth of informative videos on blogging, and also some aimed at creating a blog, and finding images for blogging. Some of these are videos which are only a couple of minutes long, so go on, take a look, you know, you want to!

For a slightly longer course take a look at the Writing a Compelling Blog Post by Starshine Roshell. Starshine is an award-winning journalist and writing coach, her course covers area such as, content, structure, style policies, much the same as other courses, but she also demonstrates how to personalise your blog “by developing your own voice” and how to turn your knowledge into a brief, passionate, but sensitive blog that will make people want to read it. Starshine includes a Blog Checklist, which reminds you of things to keep in mind when writing your own content, and is certainly useful to look at once you’ve completed your writing.

If you’re interested in writing a blog for us, email elearn@port.ac.uk with your ideas on a subject.

So are you ready . . . . . . .

Image credits: Photo by Mona Eendra on Unsplash

Moodle – Teaching Block 2 Units

December 11, 2017 / Mandy Harcup / 0 Comments

One query which we often receive from students here in TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning), is that they are concerned that they have one or more units missing from their Moodle homepage. This is usually because the unit(s) they are enquiring about, are for Teaching Block 2.

Teaching Block 2 units are normally hidden from student view until the day students return from the Christmas vacation, which this year is Monday 8th January 2018. However, this is not always the case as some units have two different cohorts of students attached to them. These units may have a short name that looks similar to this: UXXXXX-17SEP & -17JAN or this UXXXXX-17SEP & UXXXXX-17JAN. Depending how the unit has been set up, both cohorts may have access to the unit in September, or maybe the January cohort won’t be able to see the unit until the lecturer releases it to them at a later date.

Lecturers decide when to release their Teaching Block 2 unit(s). Some lecturers prefer to release them when the students break up for the Christmas vacation so that they can start looking at them, while others wait until the first day back or when the first session starts. Some students may be able to see their Teaching Block 2 units now. It really is up to the individual lecturer.

We’re often are asked why does the January code not reflect the new year – for example, why does the code say 17JAN and not 18JAN, as in 2018. This is because the code is taken from the year that the academic year started in, so as this academic year started in 2017, the code is 17JAN.

This is not to be confused with courses that actually start in January 2018 where there might be the odd short name that does end in 18JAN.

It’s all very confusing at times, but whatever course you’re on and whenever it started, as long as you can see your unit when the lecturer says you should be able to see it, that’s the main thing. If you can’t see your unit(s), please email us at servicedesk@port.ac.uk.

In the meantime, the TEL Team would like to wish everyone Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year.

Image credits: https://pixabay.com/en/sparrows-christmas-christmas-time-2900850

Author: Mandy Harcup (Page 2 of 3)

Guest Blogger Wanted!

Bespoke TEL Training Sessions