Category: Digital

Let’s talk about inequalities, inclusion and belonging – by Prof. Kathy Armour, PVC Education

In order to open the Big Conversation 2019, I thought it would be helpful to consider the issue of inequalities. While it is difficult to prioritise any one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the challenge to reduce inequalities is particularly pertinent. In our University, we can see inequalities in action because we have … Continue reading “Let’s talk about inequalities, inclusion and belonging – by Prof. Kathy Armour, PVC Education”

Jisc Digital Capabilities Community of Practice Event – by Melanie Leggatt (HEFi)

On the 22 May some of us attended Jisc’s Digital Capabilities Community of Practice event at Leicester. It was a day very well spent. The discussions touched on the many and varied interlinked means by which ‘digital’ finds its way into every aspect of further and higher education; how academic and Professional Services staff can … Continue reading “Jisc Digital Capabilities Community of Practice Event – by Melanie Leggatt (HEFi)”

Do digital pre-lab resources improve students’ experience of lab work? – by Joseph Berry (HEFi)

As part of the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) project the University is investing in digital pre-lab resources. These resources will be in three main formats: instructional videos, virtual labs and 360-degree lab tours. Instructional videos aim to demonstrate either a specific technique or an entire practical procedure. Virtual labs are interactive resources, often two-dimensional simulations, … Continue reading “Do digital pre-lab resources improve students’ experience of lab work? – by Joseph Berry (HEFi)”

Using Resource Lists to deliver an inclusive educational experience? – by Polly Harper (Library Services)

Inclusivity, by its very definition, should include all aspects of an educational experience. One key element is ensuring equal and transparent access for all students to the resources that come with their University education. Very often, this might be achieved via a well-considered reading list, or here at Birmingham, a Resource List on our University … Continue reading “Using Resource Lists to deliver an inclusive educational experience? – by Polly Harper (Library Services)”

Consistently consistent design of digital resources: the science of same old, same old – by Adam Matthews (External Relations)

By ensuring that all of your digital learning resources have a consistency of structure and approach, you can help learners to easily find content, but more importantly, be able to understand and get to grips with key with key concepts and ideas of your discipline. ‘Same old, same old’ and ‘samey’ are not words that … Continue reading “Consistently consistent design of digital resources: the science of same old, same old – by Adam Matthews (External Relations)”

Envisaging the Law School of the Future – by Linden Thomas (Birmingham Law School)

Birmingham Law School’s Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) encompasses activities within the Law School that focus on legal education and the legal profession. As well as conducting research in these areas, the Centre has a substantial student-facing offering, largely aimed at preparing students for graduate employment. Its portfolio includes a busy careers … Continue reading “Envisaging the Law School of the Future – by Linden Thomas (Birmingham Law School)”

Supporting Learners’ Digital Needs: Content-led Pedagogy – by Dr Victoria Goodyear (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences)

Digital technologies have been heralded as providing new opportunities to transform education, learning and teaching. For example, education can be delivered at mass scale, boosting recruitment, income generation and international reach; learning can be more mobile, accessible and personalised; autonomous and self-motivated forms of learning can be promoted; and digital and online learning are cost-effective … Continue reading “Supporting Learners’ Digital Needs: Content-led Pedagogy – by Dr Victoria Goodyear (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences)”

The Digital Education Debate – by Jane James (HEFi)

This term’s theme for the Big Conversation is Digital Education. Over the next ten weeks, you will have the  opportunity to discuss and reflect on a range of articles around the Digital Education debate. This takes us to the inaugural HEFi conference on the 29th June at which the Birmingham Digital Education team within HEFi will … Continue reading “The Digital Education Debate – by Jane James (HEFi)”

Accessible equations – by Dave Smith, School of Mathematics

There is a divide in the academic world between those for whom equations and mathematical expressions are their primary tools, and everyone else! Pure and applied mathematicians, computer scientists, physicists and many computational biologists (for the purposes of this blog post I will refer to all of us as mathematicians for short) typically find that … Continue reading “Accessible equations – by Dave Smith, School of Mathematics”