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Hello and welcome to episode 31 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript available.

In this episode, Holly Wheeler talks to Professor Tom Ward, Mack Marshall, Dr Amina Razak and Claire Rodgerson about the 2023 Learning and Teaching Conference and its theme Student Centred Education.

At the start of the episode Professor Tom Ward, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education talks us through what the conference is and what Student-Centred Education means to him.

We then hear from Mack Marshall, Education Office at the Student’s Union who explores the importance of the conference for students and delves deeper into some the conference sub-themes.

Finally, the episode closes with Dr Amina Razak from Inclusive Newcastle Knowledge Centre and Claire Rodgerson from Citizens UK. They share with their experiences of presenting at last year’s conference and advice for those submitting a proposal for this year.

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’.

Links from the episode.

Transcript available.

For more information on the conference and to register a place:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/professional-development/conference/

To submit a proposal for the conference:

Subscribe to our Learning and Teaching Newsletter for conference updates:

For more information on Citizens UK:

https://www.citizensuk.org/

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Welcome to the 30^th episode of the Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript Available

In this episode, Dr Chris Whiting from the Academic Practice Team speaks with Prof. Sally Brown and Prof. Kay Sambell about authentic assessment in higher education.

Sally and Kay are known internationally as advocates of assessment in higher education including assessment-for-learning and authentic assessment. In 2020, they created their Covid 19 Assessment Collection giving practical advice and examples in adapting assessment during the lockdown crisis and beyond. In this episode, they tell us more about implementing changes to move towards more authentic modes of assessment and learning, measuring the success of authentic assessment innovations, and making these innovations achievable and sustainable.

To thank Sally and Kay for volunteering their time, a donation was made to the Justice Prince CIC food bank.

Thank you to all our guests this week. We hope you enjoy this episode.  

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’. 

Links from the Episode

Transcript Available

https://sally-brown.net/

https://sally-brown.net/kay-sambell-and-sally-brown-covid-19-assessment-collection/

https://twitter.com/justiceprince

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/assessment/

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Hello and welcome to the first episode of season two of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript available. 

In this first episode, Sarah Graham, the Dean of Education for HaSS, sits down with Dr David Kennedy, our new Dean of Digital Education, to discuss: 

• David’s new role 
• His strategy for digital education over the next 12 months 
• The challenges he will face over the next year 
• And how digital education will impact students once David implements his strategy. 

In David’s welcome message, he talks about his role, and Sarah and David’s conversation explores this further. 

“Technology alone should, of course, not dictate what we do, but I am a firm believer in the role that technology and use of data are enablers for pedagogical improvement and delivery of efficiency. We live in a digital age where advances in technology and the use of data have become integral in many aspects of our lives.”  

“Our challenge as a University is to ensure we meet the expectations of our learners in how, when, and where they engage with education within educationally-grounded modes of delivery that are supported digitally where appropriate.” 

Thank you to all our guests this week. We hope you enjoy this episode.  

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’. 

Links from the episode

Transcript available.

Introducing our new Dean of Digital Education – Dr David Kennedy – https://newcastle.sharepoint.com/news/nuconnections/Pages/Introducing-our-new-Dean-of-Digital-Education-%E2%80%93-Dr-David-Kennedy.aspx?OR=Teams-HL&CT=1666341736818&clickparams=eyJBcHBOYW1lIjoiVGVhbXMtRGVza3RvcCIsIkFwcFZlcnNpb24iOiIyNy8yMjA5MDQwMDcxMiIsIkhhc0ZlZGVyYXRlZFVzZXIiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D

Case studies on digital education – https://microsites.ncl.ac.uk/casestudies/tag/digital-education/

LTDS digital education pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/digital-education/

LTDS digital accessibility pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/digital-accessibility/

Digital Education Sub-Committee web pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/epgs/academic-governance/committees/desc/

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Hello and welcome to a special preseason trailer of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

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We also have an update on one of our specials from season one.

Dr. Raghda Zahran, from NUIT, returns to talk to Dr. Matthew Forshaw, a reader in data science, and Dr. Huizhi (Elly) Liang, a senior lecturer in computing science, about how learning analytics plays a part in their courses and their teaching.

You can hear Raghda’s learning analytics special here if you want to learn more about the university’s approach to learning analytics. 

Thank you to all our guests this week. We hope you enjoy this taster for the new season.

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’.

Links from the episode

Learning Analytics from the Learning and Teaching website – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/learning-analytics/

Learning Analytics in Canvas – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/digital-technologies/canvas/canvas-new-analytics/

Learning Analytics Case Studies – https://microsites.ncl.ac.uk/casestudies/tag/learning-analytics/

Learning analytics season one special – https://podcasts.ncl.ac.uk/learningandteaching/series-1/episode-024-learning-analytics-special/

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Hello, and welcome to episode 27 of the Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast. 

Transcript available

‘Creative Practice’ as a discipline itself can seem mysterious, and yet we enjoy the fruits of that labour all the time; whether through live performance, in a gallery, on television, radio or online, but also in the shape of the built environment, in consumer product design, in the visual and sonic saturation of our attention, every day. 

But how can creative practice be taught?   

In this episode we hear from Dr Tara Bergin, an award-winning poet teaching creative writing within the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.  We also interview Dr Will Edmondes, an acclaimed musician, composer and performer, who teaches creative practice as Senior Lecturer at the International Centre for Music Studies. 

Both Tara and Will give us their perspective on teaching creative practice: how creative work can be generated, how it can be assessed, the challenges, the rewards, and how it can inform and develop other areas of a student’s academic work. 

If you would like to get in touch or have a podcast idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’ 

See the links below for more on the subjects in this episode: 

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/elll/people/profile/tarabergin.html

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/people/profile/willedmondes.html

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/creativearts/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/music/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/elll/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/fine-art/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/fine-art/research/digital-cultures/

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Hello, and welcome to episode 26 of the Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast. 

Transcript available

In this episode, we speak to Dr Pascal Stiefenhofer (Senior Lecturer and UG Director of Studies, Newcastle University Business School) about his research using games to aid those with mathematical anxiety. We also hear from Sarah Carnegie and Dr Tracy Scurry (both also from Newcastle University Business School) about a student project to create a board game to teach about the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Both discussions cover how they got started; why they chose to take the approach of using games to aid learning; and what they would advise for colleagues who are interested in trying something similar. 

Pascal covers his journey from playing with his toddler, to using the same toys to teach advanced mathematical concepts to social studies students through pedagogical games of mathematical proof. Tracy and Sarah share their experience of the development of the board game Get Sust!, created originally by Stage 3 Business School Students Jonty Carr, Benjamin Deepak Inian, Harit Jiaravongtrakul, Jessica Loyal, Alice Pertwee, Andrew Petyt, and Matt White. 

Thank you to our guests Sarah, Tracy, and Pascal. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share, please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’. 

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Hello and welcome to episode 25 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast. 

Transcript available

In this episode Emma McCulloch (Academic Practice Team Manager in LTDS) and Kevin Johnson (Disability Practitioner in Student Health and Wellbeing services) discuss the research Kevin has undertaken to develop a supportive practice toolkit to help teaching colleagues best support students with specific learning needs.  

The discussion covers quick teaching wins to best prepare and deliver material that is truly inclusive to all learners.  

Thank you to our guests Emma and Kevin. We hope you enjoy this episode.  

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’. 

Links from the episode 

Student Wellbeing: Disability Support – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/supportservices/disabilitysupport/#overview 

Student Wellbeing – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/ 

Student Services – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/ 

Toolkit link: Supportive Practice Tool – Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle – Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk) 

Newcastle University Student Union Welfare pages – https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/welfare/ 

Newcastle University Student Union Disability and Accessibility pages – https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/welfare/disability/ 

Supporting Students with specific learning needs Canvas Course 

https://ncl.instructure.com/

Elements workshop 

https://elements.ncl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1287

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Hello and welcome to episode 24 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast. 

Transcript available

This episode introduces Newcastle University’s approach to learning analytics from four interconnected perspectives.  

Dr. Raghda Zahran, from NUIT, talks to Dr. Colin Campbell, Newcastle University Registrar, about being the sponsor of the learning analytics project.  

Next, Raghda speaks to Professor Tom Ward, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education, about extracting value from learning analytics and informing students, colleagues, and University learning and teaching decision making.  

Raghda also talks to Graeme Redshaw-Boxwell about the Learning and Teaching Development Service approach to supporting the implementation of learning analytics and students’ and colleagues’ readiness and capacity building.  

Finally, Raghda speaks to Dr. Lindsey Ferrie about the university’s current state and the way forward with learning analytics. 

Thank you to all our guests this week. We hope you enjoy this episode.  

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’. 

Links from the episode 

Transcript available

Learning Analytics from the Learning and Teaching website – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/learning-analytics/ 

Learning Analytics in Canvas – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/digital-technologies/canvas/canvas-new-analytics/ 

Learning Analytics Case Studies – https://microsites.ncl.ac.uk/casestudies/tag/learning-analytics/ 

Policy on the Ethical use of Student Data for Learning Analytics – https://newcastle.sharepoint.com/sites/LTDS/DigitalLearningSite/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FLTDS%2FDigitalLearningSite%2Fweb%2FPolicy%2DLearning%2DAnalytics%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FLTDS%2FDigitalLearningSite%2Fweb 

JISC Learning Analytics content – https://www.jisc.ac.uk/learning-analytics 

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Hello and welcome to episode 23 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

As we approach the 2021/22 semester two assessment period, we will see the return of in-person exams for most of our students.

Spring 2022 will be the first time since January 2020 that most of our students last took part in an in-person exam. Many students have not completed an in-person exam since their A-levels or even GSCEs.

In this episode, aimed at students, our guest host Orla Thomas, a third-year history student will take you through her experience of an in-person exam journey.

Orla speaks to various guests to provide advice, guidance, and expertise to help you with the return of in-person exams.

We will hear from Dr. Vanessa Armstrong, a Lecturer in Biomedical, Nutritional, and Sports Science from the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Vanessa will advise about preparing yourself before, the morning of, and during your in-person exam.

Liv Jonassen, Academic Skills Development Manager from the Library Liaison Service, will provide hints and tips to get the best out of your exam preparation.

Ed Hillier, a therapist from our Student Health and Wellbeing Service, gives some wellbeing best practices to get yourself in the right mindset to complete your exam. Ed also gives us some techniques to support you during the exam.

Part of this episode will demystify the process and procedures of an in-person exam. Dr. Rebecca Gill from the Learning and Teaching Development Service will explain what to do and what to avoid before, during, and after the exam.

Thank you to all our guests this week. We hope you enjoy this episode. And it helps you with your exam preparations or any anxiety you may have.

If you would like to get in touch or have an idea you would like to share. Please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk and use the title ‘Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast idea’.

View PDF Transcript here

Links from the episode

ASK Website – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/

ASK pages on writing – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/writing/

ASK pages on revision – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/assessment/exams-and-revision/

ASK pages on Feedback – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/collections/understanding-and-interpreting-your-feedback/

Writing development centre – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/resources-and-study-support/writing-development-centre/

Student wellbeing pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/

Support and welfare – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/study/student-life/support-wellbeing/

Student’s homepage – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/

Student’s union – https://www.nusu.co.uk/

Student’s union wellbeing pages – https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/welfare/mental-health-services/

Exam rules – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/exams/rules/

Learning and Teaching Website on Feedback – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/assessment/good-feedback/

Feedback on exams – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/assessment/feedback-exams/

Library homepage – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/

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Transcript available here

Hello and welcome to episode 22 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

We look back at our 2022 Learning & Teaching Conference that took place on the 31^st of March 2022.

The conference, titled ‘Education for All: Learning Together’ was a chance to bring colleagues and students together and talk about learning, teaching & education going forward and what things we can learn from a tumultuous couple of years.

Before the conference, we checked in with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education Tom Ward who shares why he feels the conference is so important. He also picked out some of some of the key things he looked forward to such as Student Wellbeing and assessment design.

We then spoke with the Prof Paul Ashwin, just after finishing his Keynote address that posed the question ‘What is an Education For’. Paul gives us some behind-the-scenes insights into the process that goes into preparing a delivering a Keynote, and how these events help his research.

We also caught up with a few colleagues of the conference, who explained what the conference means to them.

Recordings of the presentations and lightning talks are now available to view via ReCap:

https://campus.recap.ncl.ac.uk/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx?folderID=6e3b00d5-58ad-49cf-aa2f-ae660082e8c9

If you are interested in keeping in touch with next year’s conference. Please join our Learning & Teaching Development Service Newsletter:

https://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=2940658&_gl=1*1nrh6r4*_ga*MTI0OTgwMzg1OS4xNTIzNDg2ODk1*_ga_VH2F6S16XP*MTYxMDczNzUxNy4xMS4xLjE2MTA3NDIxMTQuMA