Workshop introductions

Working with my colleague Rob Stillwell (Senior Learning Technologist), we have produced a series of introductory videos for ASTI (Academic Support Technology and Innovation) workshops that have been developed by the team.  These are very short around ~1 minute just to give a taster of what can be expected. These now appear, embedded within the workshop pages, as an example please feel free to visit the More with Moodle workshop page.  This workshop provides advance pedagogic benefits of using Moodle. The video also appears on internal Moodle course pages related to those workshops.

These were filmed using DSLRs, external sound recorder and LED lighting.

Moodle Stories - How I went from sceptic to enthusiast

I've been working on the following video with my colleagues to capture views of others using Moodle as a teaching and learning platform. I've been eagerly waiting for the release of the official ASTI news letter before publishing this to my own blog. The ASTI newsletter articles, current and past are available here for those who are interested.

In the above video Gary Strong (Lecturer in Paramedic Practice) provides some very frank commentary on his experience of using Moodle and shares some of his pedagogical approaches.
Further detail on this video available via the ASTI website:
http://technologyenhancedlearning.net/moodle-stories/ which also provides some chapter jumping options.

This interview was created using two cameras (Canon), seperate (Zoom mic), and editing (by me) performed in Premiere Pro CS5.5.

DigiThings video interview

Flea Palmer (Learning Technologist) recently interviewed Dr Emily Beaumont (Lecturer in Entrepreneurship) regarding the new DigiThings online course for academics. Here is the video I helped put together, capturing Dr Beaumont's experiences. It also gives insights into how this course also benefited her students.

This video with an evaluation can also be found on the ASTI website or visiting the DigiThings blog.

Paper: Enhancing student induction to Library and IT services in Higher Education

Collaborative development,
dissemination and student interaction

I have had the pleasure of working on an exciting project with colleagues within ASTI (Academic Support Technology and Innovation), which resulted in a journal publication.

Part of this project was devising a means of making induction more exciting for the participants. One approach used to increase student involvement was to create a game within the induction presentation inside PowerPoint, so initial contact would be much more exciting for attendees. This was based on the BBC show 'Pointless', although in this case, very much angled to University services and support specific questions (Special thank you to the BBC for giving the University permission to adapt their game show idea in this project). Thanks also extends to the ASTI team collaborators involved in the development work for this project.  The digram to the left gives a visual description of how this works.

The co-written paper with my colleague Julie Moody (Information Specialist -Health, Education and Languages) is available from the journal of Innovative Practice in Higher Education, which also details this process and looks at feedback from the students:

MOODY, J. & TRUSCOTT, J. 2014. Enhancing student induction to library and IT services in higher education. Innovative Practice in Higher Education, 2.

UPDATE: similar processes are now being implemented in 5 external institutions.

Teaching Fellowship: 'Getting Podcasting Right for Students and their Learning'

Podcasting for learning

Very pleased to have been awarded a University Teaching Fellowship (Plymouth University), with colleagues from the Faculty of Science and Environment: Dr Martin Lavelle; Dr Carrie Headlam; Dr Paul Hewson and Prof David McMullan. Congratulations to you all! I look forward to working with you more closely in this very exciting fellowship.

The work will involve research and development in the use of podcasting for students in the School of Computing and Mathematics, looking specifically at what really works well for our students. We also welcome our critical friend Dr Karen Gresty (Associate Dean for the Faculty).  Implementing use of the new DLE (Digital Learning Environment) at Plymouth with Moodle as the central modular learning platform.

Two new modules for the Hydrographic Academy

Sneaky snapshot of interface

I've been working hard on the design and development of another user interface for the Hydrographic Academic with Plymouth University.  This design has additional interactive usability enhancements, making it easier for students to find all the learning materials and support their needs. As in previous interfaces, I have incorporated HTML5 video integration and now includes some CSS3, JQuery and Javascript menu navigation to help thing look more interesting.  I've been asked not to give away too much as the Academy likes to surprise their students. This time round the Academy has produced 2 new modules based around this design, which incorporates a plethora of digital learning materials from both dedicated Academy and invited lecturers.  Details are available on the HA website.  I hope the students enjoy the next round of learning!

DigiThings

A multi-collaborative digital skills development programme started this week (created at Plymouth University). It is aimed at those involved in teaching wishing to learn about new and different digital tools first hand.  Further details can be found on the DigiThings blog, which is worth a look.

For this course I had the pleasure of compiling together ~30sec talking heads introduction videos from each of the team members involved, within their respective areas.  The above Prezi features all the videos. Many thanks to all and also to Flea Palmer, Edd Bolton and Ed Bremner for the video brainstorming and Prezi development.

Those interested in the video equipment - I used a Canon 650D and edited the content within Premiere Pro CS5.5 (also for titling).  Screen capture was performed by the respective team members (using applications such as Adobe Captivate, ScreenFlow and Camtasia).

Introduction to DSLR: a workshop to train the Learning Technologist

I have been working hard putting together a selection of photographic/video equipment for the learning technologists to help demonstrate effective use of technologies to staff. The idea was to empower them to create their own videos for workshops and demonstrations of other learning technologies.  This has culminated in the creation of a workshop to train my colleagues in the art of the possible. Thought I would share the plan of a very fun session :)
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Timings and learning outcomes for DSLR show and train for LTs

10:00 Technical introduction to the equipment.

10:15 Demonstration of the following (This includes using the Zoom MP3 recorder):

1. Face to camera interview.
2. Interviewer and interviewee scenario.
3. Still photograph (head and shoulders).

10:45 Breakout groups of ~6:

1. One group remains in classroom.
2. The other group goes elsewhere.

11:15 Breakout group return to classroom and discusses experiences with others.

11:30 Pack away equipment and ready for staff Christmas meal.

Learning outcomes

• Understand how to handle both camera and MP3 recorder for basic operation.
• Photograph a subject (person).
• Use the camera for an interview.
• Use the MP3 for an interview.

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Much thanks to Ed Bremner (Learning Technologist) who helped co-run and develop this session, with his excellent knowledge and experience of video and stills photography.

Become a Digital Guru (promotional poster)

A poster I created using InDesign 5.5 for ASTI. Aimed at Plymouth University staff, the poster is being used to promote/advertise a few of the new workshops available to train staff. All available workshops can be found here: http://technologyenhancedlearning.net/workshops/

Publication: Video for Teaching and Learning

Just completed, published and printed an ASTI (Academic Support, Technology and Innovation) guide I have been working on to help Plymouth University staff get started in the use of video for teaching and learning.  I've been using video since my early teens and was very pleased to be able to share some of this knowledge while writing this guide.

This 4 pager takes the reader through the stages of video production, pitfalls and includes tips on how to get the best out of their videos. The photos in this publication were taken by me and include an image of Prof Iain Stewart (Geology) with his students on field location, the laboratory photographs are of some equipment used by Dr Roy Lowry (Chemistry) in his own productions for a range of video podcasts that he uses for pre-laboratory work with his students. I was very pleased to have been a supporting member of staff for Roy as part of his Teaching Fellowship. Thank you to Flea Palmer for letting me also use a picture of her on the front cover!

This guide is also used to complement a hands on video workshop run by the learning technologist.