No Images? Click here Welcome to our first issue!With this new magazine from the Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (or LEADS, for short), we want to highlight what we can do for you, and how we can work with you and your students. Our regular features will include:
We'll also share handouts, downloads, and links to resources we already have on the LEADS website: www.glasgow.ac.uk/LEADS. We're starting by contacting those of who've been to one of our events recently, but feel free to pass this on to any colleagues who you think might not have had the chance to. They can subscribe here. Welcome from the DirectorWelcome to our first issue. LEADS was formed in January 2017 to support and enhance student success across the University of Glasgow by developing effective learning and teaching practices, effective people, and effective institutional strategies and responses to national and strategic imperatives and initiatives. We have three main areas of work... Read more Ask the ExpertsQ: Differentiation, where students within the same class are given different tasks appropriate to their skill level, is a common technique in schools (as I understand it). I was wondering if it is used in higher education, and if so, how it is done and whether there is evidence for it being successful? Answer by Dr Iro Filippaki: A: Drawing from published research, differentiation has been shown to be successful in HE primarily if the students are aware of stratified options and their benefits, and, additionally, if the ILOs are common for all students, but the path to achieving them differs. In other words, while it is not viable that students from, let’s say, a Level 1 Biology course are taught different core concepts according to their skill level or background, it would be realistic to suggest that... Q: I think many in our college [Arts] would like to know 'What does "blended learning" mean?'. We are trying to raise awareness of different techniques, so this would be a helpful question to answer. Answer by Jessica Bownes, Vicki Dale, Nicole Kipar, and Michael McEwan: A: Blended learning, essentially, involves combining face-to-face classes with online resources, in contrast to relying on traditional classroom-based learning alone. Where blended learning is at its most effective is when the online component is well-integrated into the course, and not just an optional add-on. Within LEADS, we subscribe to Garrison and Kanuka’s (2004, p.96-7) definition of blended learning as the 'thoughtful integration of classroom face-to-face learning experiences with... CPD, Events and Staff CoursesDesigning Assessment to Prevent Plagiarism - Dr Matthew WilliamsonNovember 22, 12:00 - 14:00Tea and coffee will be available, and you're welcome to bring your lunch! 11th Annual Learning & Teaching Conference March 28 & 29, 2018 Save the dates - plural! Keynote speakers to be announced in the next issue, plus a call for lightning talks. How to MoodleThis staff course offers technical guides plus learning and teaching ideas to consider when you're developing your Moodle courses.
What resources would help you use Moodle in your teaching? Let us know your ideas for the course here - we’re committed to making it meet your needs. Projects in Partnership with Schools
Dr Joe Gray, Senior Lecturer, School of Life Sciences Joe and Amanda have worked together over the past several years on a project to improve the way we approach coursework and examinations across the University: Leading Assessment and Feedback - LEAF. As an offshoot of the feedback branch of the project, Joe spoke with his Honours students about what had made the biggest impact on their learning development since their earlier years. If you have an idea, query, or a request about how we can work with you to help build on your teaching practice, get in touch or browse for your College Contacts directly. Classes for your studentsWe have a full series of timetables on academic writing and study approaches split by College, a series of drop-ins and classes for Maths and for Stats, and we also have a series from the International Writing Adviser. Meet the teamDr Iro FilippakiEffective Writing Adviser for International StudentsNext IssueWe'll be back in touch just before the end of Semester 1, when we'll bring you information on what the Good Practice Adviser can do for you, and more about the Learning & Teaching Conference. In the meantime, send us your questions for the Ask an Expert section. Finally, don't hesitate to drop us a line (or come visit!) with feedback and comments on what else you'd like to see from us. Get in touch: |