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Hello and welcome to episode 21 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript available

Here at Newcastle University, we are committed to providing a friendly and accessible service for students with additional learning needs, disabilities or conditions, so that they may study effectively and make full use of the opportunities available to them.

The Student Health and Wellbeing Service work with different schools within the university to support students throughout their time at Newcastle and engage them as a partner in their learning.  As part of their learning partnership, they will need to participate in the support that is offered to them to make it work. In particular, if they feel that their support requirements change at any time, then it is important that they let us know so that our provision can be reviewed to meet their needs. The Student Health and Wellbeing Service also liaise with academic Schools over students’ support requirements and external agencies where appropriate.

In this episode, we talk to Sandy Alden, team leader within the University’s Disability and Specialist Learning team and Dr Luisa Wakeling, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Dental Sciences, to explore how the university adapted to teaching students with additional learning support, disabilities, or conditions at the start and throughout the pandemic, and we talk about the what the future of learning looks like.

In the first section, Sandy discusses what the Student Health and Wellbeing Service team did at the start of the pandemic to ensure all students were supported through the switch to online learning. Luisa also gives us a point of view from an academic about how she adapted her teaching style to meet the needs of all her students.

In the second section, both Sandy and Luisa talk about adapting to life back on campus after a long period of online teaching. They talk about the provisions they put into place during lockdown and discover what proved useful for students who require additional support.

In the final section of the episode, Sandy and Luisa talk about the benefits that came from online teaching, looking at what measures worked well and how they can be used going forward.

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’.

References:

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

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/physicalwellbeing/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/mentalwellbeing/#counsellingteam

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/supportservices/disabilitysupport/#overview

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/elll/students/student-support/personal-extenuating-circumstances/

https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/sac/

https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/welfare/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/study/student-life/support-wellbeing/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/assessment/

https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/guidance/building-a-taxonomy-for-digital-learning.pdf

https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets.creode.advancehe-document-manager/documents/advance-he/DSC_disabled%20students%27%20experience_Covid19_Qualitative%20Report.docx_1643369663.pdf

https://repository.jisc.ac.uk/8150/1/learning-and-teaching-reimagined-a-new-dawn-for-higher-education.pdf

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Hello and welcome to episode 20 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript available

In this episode Dr Paul Fleet (Chair of the Academic Progress Board of Studies at Newcastle University) talks to Professor Ruth Morrow and Professor Richard Clay (Co-Heads of School X) about harnessing the collective power of interdisciplinarity and cross-sector collaboration across the University to help colleagues and students be producers of excellence, creativity, and impact. 

Ruth and Richard took post in September 2021 and have been consulting across the University to build a vision of how School X can become a new reality of collaboration in Higher Education.’

This podcast is for anyone involved in Higher Education (staff and students) and makes reference to research-driven ideas and practice to support the community of scholars who are committed to co-creation in education; authentic in education; the balance of learning across the student, educator, professional bodies, and the environment; and the power of innovative learning.

This is part of a suite of podcasts developed from the meetings of the Academic Progress Board of Studies and for more information on the work and support of the Academic Progress Team please contact: mailto:apt.lts@newcastle.ac.uk or visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ltds/professional/

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’.

Transcript available

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Hello and welcome to episode 19 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript available

In this episode Dr Paul Fleet (Chair of the Academic Progress Board of Studies at Newcastle University), and Kate Aitchison (Head of Student Health & Wellbeing) talk about the importance of embedding structures of wellbeing into Higher Education for the benefit of all stakeholders.

As academics, professional staff, and students we are acutely aware and encounter health and wellbeing issues in the workplace on a daily basis.  The discussion begins by discussing pressures upon students and colleagues and where the sources of information come from that inform and recognise where wellbeing support is needed.  Building a picture of a concern or of good practice can often be isolated to a smaller group and it is important to ensure linkage between people and services both internally and in the wider community.  As the conversation progresses, an outline of a structure that was piloted in the School of Arts and Cultures and was later presented at the SMaRteN Conference in Cambridge on 17th December 2019 as a leading case study of good practice.

This podcast is for anyone involved in higher education (staff and students) and makes reference to research-driven ideas and practice to support the community of scholars who are committed to delivering wellbeing support across the academic journey off all who work in HE.

For more information on Newcastle University’s Student Wellbeing Service please visit: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/ and if you want to know more about the SACS Circles you can contact paul.fleet@ncl.ac.uk or kate.aitchison@newcastle.ac.uk 

This is part of a suite of podcasts developed from the meetings of the Academic Progress Board of Studies and for more information on the work and support of the Academic Progress Team please contact: mailto:apt.lts@newcastle.ac.uk or visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ltds/professional/

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’.

References:

Transcript available

Stepchange: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/stepchange-mentally-healthy-universities

https://www.smarten.org.uk/reading-list.html Universities UK (2018) Minding our future: starting a conversation about the support of student mental health https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/minding-our-future

University Mental Health Charter https://universitymentalhealthcharter.org.uk/

SMaRteN: https://www.smarten.org.uk/

NHS 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/

OfS (2019) Mental Health: Are all students being properly supported https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/media/b3e6669e-5337-4caa-9553-049b3e8e7803/insight-brief-mental-health-are-all-students-being-properly-supported.pdf

World Health Organisation Definitions and Action Plan https://www.who.int/mental_health/en/

Bozier, J (2019), Mental Health in Higher Education and the Sector Challenges Ahead https://www.lsst.ac/blogs/mental_health_in_he/

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

Episode transcript

According to the Learning and Teaching Website. Feedback should be a dialogue rather than one-way communication. It should clearly link to the learning outcomes and encourage students to reflect on their learning.  

In this episode, our guest host Susan Barfield a Learning Enhancement & Technology Adviser from LTDS investigates how feedback is given, received, and interpreted. 

In the first section, a returning contributor to the podcast Liv Jonassen, an Academic Skills Development Manager from Liaison Services in the Library. Has put together an insightful section that looks at common student queries about interpreting feedback and how the liaison services would answer these student queries. 

The second section is a conversation with Professor Caroline Walker-Gleaves. Caroline is a professor of education in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Caroline spoke to us about her work using structural and stylistic domains within formative feedback to enhance students’ writing and communication at Level 3. 

In the final section, Chris Whiting from the academic practice team in LTDS takes us through some of the key aspects of providing good feedback from the Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education programme. 

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 

Episode transcript

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/ 

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

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

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

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

Caroline’s Case: Using structural and stylistic domains within formative feedback to enhance students’ writing and communication at Level 3 – https://microsites.ncl.ac.uk/casestudies/2021/09/21/using-structural-stylistic-domains-within-formative-feedback-to-enhance-students-writing-and-communication-at-level-3/ 

Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/professional-development/ilthe/ 

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

Transcript available 

In a previous episode of the Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle University Podcast, we listened to the student’s view on assessment. 

In this episode, Graeme Redshaw-Boxwell from LTDS returns to speak to the three Deans of Education from our three faculties to discuss assessment. 

Our three Deans. Sarah Graham, Dean of Education for Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS). Dr Ruth Valentine, Dean of Taught Programmes for the Faculty of Medical Science (FMS). And Dr Sara Marsham, Dean of Education for Science, Agriculture, and Engineering (SAgE), got together over zoom to discuss various aspects of assessment here at Newcastle University.  

In this conversation, we get a great insight into the Dean’s view of assessment. The discussion covered topics including 

• What we do well at Newcastle University 
• What lessons have we learned during the pandemic?  
• How academics provide feedback and how students interpret that feedback 

• Finally, how students can get involved in assessment design and processes  

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 and Teaching Website on Assessment – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/effective-practice/assessment/ 

Effective Practice Database – https://microsites.ncl.ac.uk/casestudies/category/all/ 

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

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

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

ASK pages on where to go for support https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/where-to-go-for-support/ 

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

Library pages on assessments – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/news/item/refresher/ 

Student Union pages on assessments – https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/sac/academic/ 

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

Newcastle University Wellbeing pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/ 

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

Transcript available.

In this episode, our guest host Holly Wheeler, a Team Administrator in the Educational Policy and Governance Team in LTDS. Digs into the concept of the Student Voice and Student Voice Surveys. 

According to the Learning and Teaching website, “Student Voice is an important part of any student’s experience at the university and serves as a conduit for communications between both staff, the wider university management and the student body.” 

During this episode, you will hear from five guests.  

Firstly, we hear from Gilly Box. Gilly is an Educational Governance Officer in the Educational Policy and Governance Team in LTDS. Gilly will be taking us through Student Voice Surveys, including where and when to complete them. And why they are vital to the University and our students. 

In the second section of this episode, we talk to three Newcastle University students. Who are currently course reps or have been course reps. Mack, Orla, and Joseph take us through their experiences and how they get their voice heard. 

Finally, we speak to Dr. Kenny McKeegan. Kenny is a Senior Lecturer in our Faculty of Medical Science. In this section, Kenny discusses the work they have been doing in his faculty and why it is crucial to get it right. 

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 and Teaching Website – Student Voice 

Student Voice schedule 

Student Representation at Newcastle University 

Student Representation Policy 

Student Voice Resources 

The Student Survey Website 

Advance HE – Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey PTES 

Student Voice in the Business School Case Study 

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Hello and welcome to episode 15 of the Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

Transcript available.

In this episode we hear from Jack Chamberlain and Sam Mead who help to run the PARTNERS programme at Newcastle University.  PARTNERS is a dynamic and innovative programme that gives prospective students a chance to experience university life before starting a degree.  Both staff and students can get involved to support the PARTNERS Programme by contacting partners@ncl.ac.uk.

We also hear from SAGE PhD researcher Josh Cunday who shares his thoughts on how best to get back into gear after the holiday season. Returning from the Christmas break, especially in a student’s first year, can be disorienting.  In this section, we speak to Josh to understand how he deals with the change of pace from uni to home life and back again, especially with assessments around the corner.

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’

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

PARTNERS Programme – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/partners/ 

You can contact the PARTNERS Programme at partners@ncl.ac.uk

Student support and Student Welfare:

https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/sac/

https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/welfare/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/study/student-life/support-wellbeing/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/assessment/

Transcript available.

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

Transcript available.

In this episode Dr Paul Fleet (Chair of the Academic Progress Board of Studies at Newcastle University), Sandy Alden (Manager of the Disability Team within our Student Health and Wellbeing Service at Newcastle University), and Dr Hilary Potter (Teaching Fellow in German with research interests in Cultural Memory and Educational Practice) talk about the importance of giving inclusive and meaningful feedback, linked to the value of using audio feedback from both student and staff perspectives. 

This discussion recognises that the process of giving feedback is an over-arching, deeply important part of the student’s academic journey and yet it is one of the most problematised areas.  One issue is that can be found in the process of delivering feedback is that something can be lost in translation between what was written on the feedback sheet by the assessor and what is read and understood by the student: 

• Can using audio feedback help to solve this problem 
• how long does it take to do 
• what are its benefits to the student cohort as a whole?   

This podcast is for anyone involved in higher education (staff and students) and makes reference to research-driven ideas and practice to support the community of scholars who are committed to delivering quality feedback. 

It is part of a suite of podcasts developed from the meetings of the Academic Progress Board of Studies and for more information on the work and support of the Academic Progress Team please contact: mailto:apt.lts@newcastle.ac.uk or visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ltds/professional/ 

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’. 

References: 

Blessinger, P. (2016). Creating a culture of inclusion in higher education. Higher Education Tomorrow, Volume 4, Article 8  

Carless, D. (2006) Differing perceptions in the feedback process. Studies in Higher Education 31 (2), 219–233 

CAST: About Universal Design for Learning 

Gibbs, G. and Simpson, C. (2004) Conditions under which assessment supports students’ learning. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (1), 3–32 

Hattie, J. and Timperley, H. (2007) The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research 77 (1), 81–112 

Killingback, C. et al (2018). ‘It was all in your voice’ – Tertiary student perceptions of alternative feedback modes (audio, video, podcast, and screencast): a qualitative literature review C Killingback et al 2018.pdf (bournemouth.ac.uk) 

Merry, S. and Orsmond, P. (2008) Students’ attitudes to and usage of academic feedback provided via audio files. Bioscience Journal 11 (3) 

Lunt, T & Curran J (2010) ‘Are you listening please?’ The advantages of electronic audio feedback compared to written feedback, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 35:7, 759-769 

Potter, H (2021) ‘Where Pedagogy and Disability Studies meet? Exploring the potential of audio feedback in COVID times.’ A Royal Holloway Case Study presented at the AULC Conference, University of Leeds on 21st March 2021. 

Rhind, S.M., Pettigrew, G.W., Spiller, J. and Pearson, G.T. (2013) Experiences with audio feedback in a veterinary curriculum. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 40 (1), 12–18 

Voelkel, S & Mello, L.V. (2015) Audio Feedback -Better Feedback? Bioscience Education, 22 (1), 16-30 

Links from the Episode 

Universal Design for Learning – Supporting students with specific needs 

Recording Audio – Learning and Teaching website 

Turnitin Page from the Learning and Teaching website 

Canvas Orientation Course – Online Marking 

Using audio feedback in Turnitin Case Study with Dr Jonathan Pugh from the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology 

Speech Marking Case Study with Michael Jin from the School of Modern Languages  

Turnitin Guidance on Audio Feedback 

Canvas Guidance on providing feedback 

Transcript available.

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Hello and welcome to episode 13 of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.

As we approach the assessment period for students, we have decided to focus some of the upcoming content on various elements of the assessment process.

In this episode, we focus on a student’s view of assessments. Future episodes will look at giving feedback, the Deans of Education from all three faculties’ views on assessment, and how to get the best out of feedback.

For the first section, we speak to Emily and Josh, who are our regular student contributors. Ben from LTDS caught up with Emily and Josh to discuss how they deal with assessments in university and how they found the jump from A levels to university assessments.

In the second half of the episode Liv Jonassen, an Academic Skills Development Manager from Liaison Services in the Library, has put together (what we hope is the first of many) a section about how the Library can support students in getting the best out of their assessments. Firstly, she speaks to three students (James, Vicky, and Zoe) about their experiences. Liv then provides some great advice and insight about the writing process. Finally, Liv catches up with Dr Helen Webster, the head of the Writing Development Centre, also based in the Library, to discuss techniques for students to tackle exams.

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’.

Transcript available

Show Links

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

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

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

ASK pages on where to go for support https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/where-to-go-for-support/

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

Library pages on assessments – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/news/item/refresher/

Student Union pages on assessments – https://www.nusu.co.uk/support/sac/academic/

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

Newcastle University Wellbeing pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/

Episode Transcript –http://podcasts.ncl.ac.uk/learningandteaching/files/2021/12/Episode-13-Transcript-1.pdf

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Hello and welcome to episode 12 of the Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle University podcast.  

Transcript available.

In this episode Emma McCulloch from the Academic Practice Team speaks with colleagues across the university who have recently gained a category of Fellowship with Advance HE.  

PVC Professor Tom Ward highlights the UK Professional Standard Framework and the importance of the framework to benchmarking and enhancing education for all our students.  

Nehal Hassan reflects on her journey to gaining Associate Fellowship via a course specifically designed for Postgraduates who teach: Evidencing Learning and Teaching (ELTS).  

Dr Fred Windsor and Jude Heed reflect on their experiences gaining Fellowship and Senior Fellowship via the Experiential route.  

Pamela White and Dr Jess Jung share their experiences of being a mentor on the UKPSF schemes and how that supports them in their own practice.  

Professor Tom Ward interviews Ben Steel from the Learning and Teaching Development Service on his recent success in gaining Fellowship. Highlighting that Fellowship recognition is for both academic and professional services staff who are involved in effective approaches to learning and teaching.   

The Academic Practice Team offer various routes to all four categories of Fellowship depending on what’s right for you. The Academic Practice Team will support you in choosing the right pathway based on your own experience of teaching and supporting of learning. Contact us via email apt.lts@newcastle.ac.uk  

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’ 

See the links below for more information:  

UKPSF Routes to all four categories of Fellowship https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/professional-development/ukpsf/ 

Evidencing learning and teaching (ELTS) https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/professional-development/elts/ 

UKPSF Experiential Route https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/professional-development/experiential/ 

Newcastle Educational Practice Scheme https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/professional-development/neps/ 

UKPSF CPD Canvas Community https://ncl.instructure.com/courses/32058 

Advance HE UKPSF https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/guidance/teaching-and-learning/ukpsf

Transcript available.