by Fanahan Barry, Derek Bevan & Sinéad Dunne
- Training & support for transitioning to online teaching & learning
- Provide online training sessions for staff and learners on the use of the VLE and digital tools
- Provide clear PDF guides for using the VLE and key digital tools (ensuring that there are no copyright/GDPR breaches as much as possible)
- Share resources from other institutions that are experienced in large-scale online delivery (with approval)
- Students may be distressed by the current situation, staff may need to be trained and supported around this increased counselling element
- Providing transparent facilitation for online engagement
- Universal design principles
- Limit the number of digital tools to reduce anxiety and user errors
- Stick to tried and tested tools where possible, do not introduce new digital tools if neither the students or staff have prior experience
- Have faculty be explicit about their expectations for online engagement
- If using online lectures, break them into chunks of 15-20 minutes and give a link to the recorded lecture to allow students to playback in their own time
- In addition to online lecturing it may be advisable to use other forms of open educational resource videos
- Ensuring that the online curriculum & assessment design is based on good pedagogical practice
- Ensure that a variety of access needs are considered for alternative (digital) assessments
- Provide templates and a list of alternative assessments
- Create an-online forum to provide technical supports for students and to seek student feedback
- Advertise the online office opening hours to reassure students and to assess their progress with the use of the new digital tools.
- If possible, do not go beyond the opening hours, staff wellbeing needs to be maintained during this pandemic.
- Use this forum to assess the student’s emotional state as changes to the curriculum delivery and uncertainty around assessment can cause anxiety.
- Use language to reassure students that considerations will be taken into account as these are extenuating circumstances outside of their control
- There is still a place for Learning Development Supports
- Consider that learning Development is not as simple as replicating the course material in an on-line forum
- Develop links with students to create and maintain relationships, building confidence and trust with the new learning environment
- Take into account that additional students may need to avail of learning development supports in this current situation. Be flexible with formally agreed learning recommendations.
Sinead Dunne's Digital Education Blog 