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Academic Technology

Academic Technology Newsletter

June 2024

Academic TechnologyLink opens in a new window is part of Flexible & Online Learning Division (FOLD). We support and advise on a range of technology-enhanced learning tools.

Farewell to Jim Judges who will be leaving Warwick at the end of July. Jim has worked as a Senior Academic Technologist since 2012 and has been a valuable support for the central team and his shoes will be hard to fill. He takes with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be sorely missed.

Au revoir

This will be the final newsletter from Academic Technology!

Watch for developments within Digital Learning to keep informed of technology-enhanced learning tools in the future.

Digital Learning restructure

The Digital Learning team within the Flexible & Online Learning Division (FOLD) recently underwent a restructure as part of the wider Warwick Transformation process. As a result, the functions of the Academic Technology team will transition into the new Digital Learning structure.

From 1 August 2024, this new structure will be launched, with relevant functions distributed to teams within the updated framework.

Matt Street (Head of Digital Learning)

As we approach the end of another academic year, we wanted to give you an update about the Digital Learning team. To find out more, see here: https://warwick.ac.uk/insite/warwick-transformation/educationandstudentsupport/digitallearning/Link opens in a new window

Contents

  • JISC - New question set for student Discovery Tool, Digital Experience Insights Survey analysis update
eStream

Warwick eStream decommissioning on 26 July 2024

IDG are working with Echo360 to ensure all eStream content is successfully migrated to your personal Echo360 library by this date.

Moodle embedded eStream content will be appropriately redirected as part of the content migration.

If you discover an oversight or have further questions regarding the content migration, please contact the Digital Learning team.

For colleagues who have previously used eStream for video assessment, please see our Video assignments via MoodleLink opens in a new window guide to find out how to deliver assessment using Echo360, or contact the Digital Learning Team.

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Moodle

Moodle 4.4 upgrade on 23 July 2024

Please see the Moodle 4.4 announcementLink opens in a new window for an overview of this upgrade being delivered by IDG in collaboration with our application host, Co-sector.

This upgrade will improve on Moodle version 4.1, with features including:

Also see Moodle's 'New for Teachers' pages for highlights of some of the changes:

Please contact the team directly if you have more specific enquiries.

Rollover

The Moodle rollover tool is now available to make decisions on content for next year's courses. Whether departments can make rollover decisions for SITS modules is dependent on the module availability records (MAVs) in SITS.

If the module does not show in the list, please speak with your department's course administrators or the Modules, Marks and Assessment team who are responsible for this data.

We are unable to assist with module availability data and therefore any calls raised regarding this will be closed.

NB. To reduce courses being unnecessarily rolled over, the 'apply default to all ad hocs' button has been removed.

See the rollover section of the Academic Technology Super User guideLink opens in a new window for more information.

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Rapidmooc

Podcasting pilot programme

The Westwood Rapidmooc studio is now running a podcasting pilot programme. See our Podcasting guideLink opens in a new window for more information on this facility and its features.

See our Rapidmooc StudiosLink opens in a new window guide for a Rapidmooc introduction and information on using and booking a studio.

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Echo360
  • Department General course structure
    Non-module lecture capture requests should now be categorised based on the course structure listed on our managing Echo360 content pageLink opens in a new window under the Courses heading. Previously, all non-module recordings were categorised as (Dept)-Gen.
  • On demand (self-service) Software Capture
    We are seeking volunteers to trial Echo360 Software CaptureLink opens in a new window (using Universal Capture [Classroom]). This can remove the need for lecture capture scheduling and allow on-demand, self-service recording in your rooms that may not be suitable for installing the Echo360 hardware. Please contact the team if you'd like help with a pilot programme.
  • Browser Capture
    Echo360 now has an option for using lecture capture in a browser tab without the need for any Echo360 software or hardware. Just log into your Echo360 account and click 'New Bowser CaptureLink opens in a new window' from the 'Create' drop-down menu.

Lecture capture request guidesLink opens in a new window

For lecture capture scheduling assistance, please email lecturecapture@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window

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Training & Workshop Opportunities

LinkedIn Learning is coming to WarwickLink opens in a new window

A ‘soft launch’ roll-out of LinkedIn LearningLink opens in a new window will begin with a pilot of license provision across IDG, followed by wider departmental engagement and license provision for staff before the end of June. This will build towards a high-profile information campaign targeting the entire Warwick staff and student community in the run-up to the start of the new academic year. This will provide access to a host of expert-led courses, skills development content, personalised recommendations and more. It even includes a module dedicated to Learning MoodleLink opens in a new window.

For any questions or interest in supporting the roll-out to wider university colleagues or groups, feedback can be provided to the respective Digital Business PartnerLink opens in a new window or directly to Annie Davey (Training & Knowledge Manager, IDG).

Information about our other Training & Support is available on our training pageLink opens in a new window

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JISC

JISC Digital Experience Insights Survey

The Warwick JISC Digital Experience Insights SurveyLink opens in a new window for students and staff ran earlier this year. These surveys asked for feedback regarding the use of technology, the University’s digital environment, and how it could be improved. It also asked about staff and student experience of Moodle. We received 1278 student responses, 247 Professional Services staff responses, and 44 from teaching staff. After analysing the survey data, a communication plan is being developed to share the key findings with IDG, Digital Learning User Group, and departments over the coming weeks.

Similar JISC surveys are taking place at other HE and FE organisations. These will close by the end of June, and then JISC will provide an anonymised summary report that can be used for benchmarking. We expect the 2023/2024 UK higher education digital experience insights survey findings for both students and staff to be published in September and October respectively. Keep an eye on this JISC reports pageLink opens in a new window where you can also view last year's (2022/2023) reports.

If you are based in a department and want to explore your individual departmental feedback with us, please email academictech@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window so that we can discuss any collaboration, dialogue and support as appropriate.

JISC Discovery Tool

New question set for students - Recognising digital skills for employabilityLink opens in a new window

These questions and the accompanying resource bank are designed to support students developing and using their digital skills for future employment.

The JISC Digital Capabilities Discovery ToolLink opens in a new window - A 15-20 minute online activity for Warwick staff and students to produce a digital capabilities profile and recommend areas for development.

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Our other tools

Padlet

See Padlet's spring 2024 featuresLink opens in a new window release.

See our Introduction to PadletLink opens in a new window guide.

Vevox

See our Introduction to VevoxLink opens in a new window guide

Find out about updates on the Vevox blogLink opens in a new window

Mahara

The Mahara manualLink opens in a new window has more information

Or, our Introduction to Mahara for TeachersLink opens in a new window course.

Further support

This newsletter can only provide a taste and snapshot of some of the active areas of interest. If you need help and guidance, please refer to the main online Academic Technology pagesLink opens in a new window. If you have a technical query with Moodle or any of our supported tools, please contact academictech@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window. For more general IT enquiries, or if you are unsure who to ask please contact the IT helpdeskLink opens in a new window.

All the best,

Cameron Deans, Michelle Jackman, Jim Judges, Nadine Stewart, Paul Trimmer

Academic Technology | Flexible & Online Learning| Education Group | University of Warwick

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