News & Updates

The Digital Learning team recently delivered a series of beginner friendly workshops, equipping colleagues to confidently use podcasting, video, and PowerPoint to support teaching and learning.

The sessions were designed to provide practical, hands-on experience, with a focus on immediate application in teaching contexts.

Recording for learning day - with Medical School colleagues

With thanks to Cath Fenn for arranging the workshops, Paul Ottey and Poonam Pedley facilitated a beginners’ podcasting workshop (including practical experience in the CoLab of Curiosity), followed by an introductory workshop on video for teaching and learning. These workshops introduced Medical School staff to the fundamentals of creating engaging audio and video content for education.

Learning objectives:

• Identify when and why to use podcasting and video in teaching and learning
• Plan and structure effective short-form educational recordings
• Gain practical skills in recording audio and video using available tools
• Consider accessibility, inclusivity, and student engagement in media design

Feedback from participants was strongly positive, with colleagues highlighting the immediate practical value of the sessions and requesting more sessions of this type.

PowerPoint design to support effective teaching - with Wellbeing and Student Support

The team also delivered a workshop aimed at building confidence in using PowerPoint as a teaching tool. The session focused on improving both technical awareness and pedagogic approaches, with an opportunity to begin practically applying these to participants’ existing presentations.

Learning objectives:

• Develop confidence in using PowerPoint to support effective teaching
• Apply design principles to create clear, engaging, and accessible slides
• Use PowerPoint features (e.g. animations, templates, accessibility checker) purposefully
• Structure presentations to support student understanding and retention
• Begin applying practical techniques to increase student engagement during teaching

Feedback from participants was unanimous in acknowledging increased confidence in designing PowerPoints to support effective teaching.

Looking ahead

The strong feedback and increasing demand highlight the value of practical, supportive training that enables staff to experiment with digital approaches in a low‑risk environment. Further sessions are currently being explored to build on this momentum and support continued development.

If you are interested in arranging sessions for your department, please contact the Digital Learning team.