15 February 2017
Change to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) login
From February 18, the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) login page will look slightly different. The standard UQ sign on screen will appear instead of the Blackboard login page. Please refer to ITS single sign on for more information.
Top 7 course design tips
Tip 1: Welcome message
Your first announcement should welcome and orientate students to your course. Refer to the Announcements guide for step-by-step instructions.
Tip 2: Menu design
In a number of surveys UQ students have requested a more consistent navigation scheme across courses. To achieve this please consider the following recommendations:
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Use the default content areas of Learning Resources and Assessment.
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Use the UQ colour scheme or ensure your colour scheme meets accessibility guidelines. For more information refer to the accessibility guidelines webpage.
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Keep the number of menu items to a minimum.
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Use a divider line and subheading to break the menu content into sections.
For more information refer to the Course menu webpage.
Tip 3: Weekly folders/ learning modules
Organise your content from the students' point of view i.e. By week (or by topic). For more information refer to the Content area webpage.
Tip 4: Assessment folders
Create a folder for each assessment with the same name as that used in the ECP. Include all resources needed for the assignment and an online submission link. Refer to the Turnitin and Blackboard assignments guides for step-by-step instructions.
Tip 5: Label all resources
Label all resources with a description of its contents and purpose. For more information refer to the Content area webpage.
Tip 6: Personalise your site
To express your personality and make the site more interesting by including a banner, images and use of colour in headings.
Tip 7: Make your course available in O'week
Remember to make your course available to students as soon as you think it is ready. This is something the course coordinator has to do, following the instructions below. Most students start looking for their courses in Learn.UQ during O-Week.
Control Panel > Customisation > Properties > Set Availability and select the Yes radio button.
Not finished setting up your course? Just hide the menu links and create an announcement to welcome your students.
Resource: Course Availability guide or video guide.
Order your Semester 1 course
You can request your Learn.UQ course for Semester 1 2017 now!
1. Use the online Site Request form located on the Staff tab in Learn.UQ. This form also allows you to request a copy of course content from a previous semester.
OR
2. Publish your Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for a blank course template to be created automatically within 48 hours. For content to be copied, request a 'copy' through the Staff tab mentioned above.
Refer to the Course Request guide for step-by-step instructions.
Video assignments - improve upload times
New mobile devices and tablets default to a high quality video setting that will produce large file sizes. This creates a problem when students upload their video assignments to Kaltura as it significantly increases the upload time. We recommend course coordinators refer to the Video assignment recommendations guide for tips on how to address this issue. If you would like a personal tutorial on Video assignments email help@learn.uq.edu.au with "ELSS - Nomination" in the subject line.
For further information on the eLearning Solutions Service, visit the eLearning Solutions Service webpage.
UQ Active learning tools
UQ Active learning tools allow you to easily add interactive questions to your lectures to engage students, check their understanding of concepts covered and to collate responses from small group discussions. The tools include functions for polling students and displaying the results as a graph, brainstorming activities and displaying the results in a wordcloud, and a free text response option where results are displayed in a "twitter like" feed. Refer to the Active Learning (UQpoll, UQwordcloud and UQwordstream) guides for more information. If you would like a personal tutorial on UQ Active learning tools email help@learn.uq.edu.au with "ELSS - Nomination" in the subject line.
For further information on the eLearning Solutions Service, visit the eLearning Solutions Service webpage.
Online lectures for public holidays
Producing an online eLearning module using Office Mix is a great way to replace a lecture missed due to a public holiday. This software allows you to easily add narration, webcam video, multimedia and formative quizzes to your lecture PowerPoint then embed the published module into your course.
If you are interested in producing an Office Mix attend a workshop, refer to the Desktop recording guide or access the eLearning Solutions Service.
TurningPoint ResponseWare software update
Staff planning to use TurningPoint ResponseWare with student mobile devices in 2017 will need to update their software to TurningPoint Cloud (from TurningPoint 5). Due to a change to the licencing agreement in 2017 staff will also need to create a new Turning Technologies account. Refer to the Updating to TurningPoint Cloud (TP7) guide for step-by-step instructions.
TurningPoint clicker users
Staff using only clickers with TurningPoint have the option to either continue using TurningPoint 5 in 2017 or updating to TurningPoint Cloud. Due to receiver software needing to be updated for use with TurningPoint Cloud, users of TurningPoint Cloud CANNOT share receivers with users of TurningPoint 5. For further information, refer to the TurningPoint 5 and TurningPoint Cloud (TP7) comparison webpage.
eLearning Solutions Service - ELSS
The eLearning Solutions Service offers one-on-one consultations on the integration of eLearning into courses. At the start of each semester, staff can nominate to use this service to help implement a centrally supported eLearning tool. Support will be provided for the duration of the semester. To make a nomination please follow the steps on the eLearning Solutions Service website.
As part of the eLearning Solutions Service, you can:
- receive one-on-one consultations tailoring eLearning solutions for your course;
- receive ideas on how to deliver your course more effectively with technology;
- save time, improve student engagement and give better feedback to your students;
Email help@learn.uq.edu.au with "ELSS - nomination" in the subject line. An eLearning advisor will make contact with you to arrange an initial consultation. All advisers have teaching qualifications.
ITaLI TeachAssist
TeachAssist is provided by ITaLI for the UQ community to offer support for their teaching and learning. If you are considering changing your curriculum, its delivery or assessment, evaluating your teaching or perhaps even educational research then get in contact through the ITaLI TeachAssist website. Assistance is available on a range of pedagogical, teaching professional development, evaluations, learning analytics and online learning development activities.
Custom workshops for teaching staff, tutors and professional staff
Custom workshops on centrally supported eLearning tools are available on request for faculties, schools and/or courses. Laptops are provided for the sessions and course coordinators only need to book a meeting room. Contact elearningtraining@uq.edu.au with details of the preferred date, time, room booking and approximate numbers.
Feature Videos
Video Case Study
UQ’s Kaltura system allows staff to record and upload instructional videos. In the video below, Mr Brett Simmonds explains how he uses a video welcome message in his fourth year Pharmacy course. Watch Video (3.31mins)
Useful Links
eLearning Custom Workshops
Custom workshops on centrally supported eLearning tools are available on request for faculties / schools / courses.
To organise a workshop for your teaching staff, tutors or professional staff email elearningtraining@uq.edu.au
eLearning Solutions Service
Personal support is available for implementing centrally supported eLearning tools.
To access the service email help@learn.uq.edu.au with "ELSS - Nomination" in the subject line.
A-Z Guides eLearning Tools
A list of all centrally supported eLearning tools with associated guides are available to view and download.
Access the list of A-Z guides by clicking on this link: eLearning A-Z Guides
Flipped Classroom
If you are considering implementing the flipped classroom model at UQ, visit the Flipped Classroom website.
Video for Teaching and Learning
Helpful video production resources and advice are available on the Video for Teaching and Learning website.