Getting ready for the New Academic Year
As we prepare to welcome students for the new academic year, now is the perfect time to make sure your digital learning spaces are ready. Taking a few minutes to review your Blackboard modules, PebblePad resources, and online learning tools can help ensure a smooth start to teaching.
- Check what students can see when they access your Blackboard module
When students access your Blackboard module for the first time, they should be able to find key information quickly and easily.
Before teaching begins, it is beneficial to use ‘Student Preview’ to check what content is visible to your students. If you have been developing content over the summer, check that everything students need for the first few weeks has been made visible.
If you need to update the visibility of multiple documents and/or learning modules, you can use the ‘batch edit’ option to select all of the content you want to make visible.
- Check any links are working
Over the summer, resources can move, files may be updated, and links can change.
Before teaching begins:
- Open key documents and presentations
- Test external website links
- Ensure embedded media still works
- Ensure PebblePad Resources and Workspaces are requested
If you use PebblePad as part of your module, please ensure you have requested a new resource for the upcoming academic year and for the workspace to be set up by the TEL unit, if you have not done so already.
It is particularly important to let us know if there are changes needed to your PebblePad resource, before it is made available to students.
At this time of year, enquiries can be high, so giving as much notice as possible is appreciated. Getting this done early means your students will have access to their PebblePad resource when they need it.
- Make sure you are familiar with Microsoft Teams for online sessions
From this academic year, online teaching sessions will take place through Microsoft Teams. If you are unfamiliar with Teams or would like a refresher, take a look at our previous blog post containing useful guidance videos. For additional support or training, please contact Digital Services.
- Reminders for student inductions
- As part of your student’s induction week, ensure you check that students have access to their Blackboard modules. If they do not, it may be because they have not yet completed their registration. Information for students is available through our ‘Student Blackboard Ultra FAQs’ webpage.
- You may also choose to share suitable links from our student support pages with your students.
- Please also point out the ‘Alternative formats’ available to students on Blackboard, to support them with using your Blackboard pages. Information for students is available via our new Blackboard Ally guide for students.
- Plan your first Blackboard announcement
Announcements are a great way to establish communication with students and can be scheduled in advance.
Consider scheduling a message which:
- Welcomes students to the module
- Highlights where key information can be found
- Explains expectations for the first week
- Encourages students to get in touch if they have questions
Taking a little time now can make the start of the academic year smoother, clearer, and more welcoming for both staff and students.
Need support? The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) unit is here to help with Blackboard, PebblePad and digital learning tools more broadly. Get in touch if you need any advice before teaching begins. TEL@worc.ac.uk
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