Category: Series 1

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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.  

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In this episode​, Rosa Spencer (Professional Development Manager at Newcastle University) and James Davoll (Creative Practitioner and Technical Manager at Newcastle University) talk about evidencing and gaining a ​category of HEA fellowship ​from ​Advance HE from a technician’s perspective.

There is a transcript available. 

This discussion begins with James’s experience as a technician and an educator, and how his journey led him to write a guide for all technicians to help them demonstrate and evidence their work as being aligned with the UKPSF.  You can read and download the guide here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/research/nu-technicians/

James and Rosa talk about some of the complexities for both the technician and the university in the role of a technician as an educator, and they reinforce Advance HE’s and the university’s belief in recognising the contribution Technicians make to teaching and supporting students through HEA Fellowships.

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

Links from the episode

HEA / AdvanceHE Technician Guide – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/media/wwwnclacuk/research/files/HEATechnicianGuideUpdate.pdf

National Technician Centre –
https://nationaltechnicianscentre.ac.uk/

Technician commitment booklet –
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/media/wwwnclacuk/research/files/Technician-Commitment-Booklet.pdf

Newcastle University support in achieving AdvanceHE recognition –
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ltds/professional/

There is a transcript available. 

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Hello and welcome to episode ten of the Learning & Teaching @ Newcastle podcasts

There is a transcript available.

As we celebrate black history month, we look at Decolonising the Curriculum and speak with key members of the university about this subject. In this episode, we try to go beyond the title and see how the process can be implemented here at Newcastle University.

In our first segment, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Education Tom Ward shares his thoughts on why this is such a crucial step for us personally, institutionally, and nationally.

Students have greatly contributed towards the push to decolonise the curriculum.  We spoke with NUSU’s new Education Office Livia Scott, who has made Decolonising the Curriculum (or DeCol for short) a priority for her role. Livia shares what the student union is doing to work with students and staff to implement change through the ‘Decolonising NCL’ campaign. 

We then explore what this change is like in practice. Dr. Paula Waterhouse from the School of Dentistry takes us through the wider context behind their decision to make a pledge, and the steps are taken to Decolonise a Curriculum like dentistry. Paula offers her advice for other schools looking to go through a similar process.

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 for the episode

Decolonising NCL X BHM Panel Discussion NUSU Recording – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzymu46isMY

Newcastle Changemakers video – https://twitter.com/changemakersncl/status/1270772605176463366

School of Dental Sciences EDI Update video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z1DJq2Z3eY&t

School of Dental Sciences Pledge to NUSU – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/mediav8/dental/files/Decol_pledge_SDS_NUSU.pdf

Transcript available here

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

There is a transcript available.

This first section is dedicated to placements and internships in industry and also study abroad opportunities. Contributors to this episode include the NU Careers Service, International Office and Industry representatives, plus students who have just started or finished their placements/internships. All hosted by the SNES Academic Lead for Employability and Enterprise, Dr Lee Higham.

In this section Lee discusses the importance of placements, what students gain from placements, and how placements have a positive impact on the business and the University in general. In the second part Lee discusses why students should consider studying aboard, the benefits they will gain, and also why studying aboard is an amazing opportunity to travel and gain unique experiences.

Did you know, according to UUKi (2017) Gone International: Mobility Works , students who go abroad as part of their degree are:

• 9% more likely to gain a 1st or 2:1
• 24% less likely to be unemployed
• 9% more likely to be in graduate jobs six months after graduation
• 5% higher wage earners six months after graduation

compared with those who don’t.

In the final part of this episode, Graeme Redshaw-Boxwell from LTDS speaks to Magnus Svendsen Nerheim from the University of Bergen in Norway about how they implemented Inspera, our new digital assessment tool, and how they got the best out of this technology. We recently launched this new software for digital exams. By adopting a specialist digital exam system, we have access to more advanced digital assessment functionality. This will enable the expansion of our digital exam provision to support more modules and larger student cohorts in future.

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

University placement pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/study/your-future/work-placement/

Contacting the placement team – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/workexperience/placements/

Careers Service – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/

Looking for a placement – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/workexperience/placements/finding/

Studying aboard – https://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=6582058

Go Abroad Fair is on Wednesday from 1- 4 pm on 3rd November

Inspera pages at Newcastle University – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/digital-technologies/inspera/

Inspera website – https://www.inspera.com/assessment

There is a transcript available.

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

There is a transcript available.

In this episode, we have five interviews that cover three topics, exploring different aspects of learning and teaching here at Newcastle University.

The first topic sees Dr Lee Higham, Senior Lecturer and SNES Academic Lead for Employability and Enterprise talk to staff and students about placements. In the first of three interviews Lee speaks to Tom Meadows an Employer Liaison Manager and Placements Advisor from the University Careers Service about what a placement is, the importance of preparation and motivation in securing these opportunities and what the benefits are of going on placement. In the second and third interviews, Lee talks to Caitlin Storry, a placement student who has recently started hers and Goda Stasytyte, a returning placement student, about their experiences.

The second item is with Emily and Josh our current students. Those first few weeks at university are exciting, they can be a nervous time, hopefully enjoyable, but always a brand-new experience. Emily and Josh discuss those first few lectures, seminars, and labs. They also discuss making new friends and interacting with academics and teachers. Emily and Josh try to demystify some of those thoughts  about the step up to university.

In the final part of this episode, Dr Adam Potts returns to talk about how Newcastle University students learned through the pandemic. In this conversation Adam and his students discuss managing your time and learning communities through the pandemic. How can what we’ve learned shape and influence positive outcomes for the future?

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

University placement pages – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/study/your-future/work-placement/

Contacting the placement team – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/workexperience/placements/

Careers Service – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/

Applying for a placement – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/workexperience/placements/finding/

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

Student wellbeing – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/ Student’s Union – https://www.nusu.co.uk/

There is a transcript available.