Welcome to the February update for the LDC Blog.
We use the blog to announce events and development opportunities that we run; to inform staff of initiatives, projects and changes, and to celebrate the successes of staff from across City University London. Bookmark this page and keep a look out for updates in the first week of each month.
In the blog this month:
2012 Learning Development Showcase
At the start of February the LDC held our annual Showcase event, this year centred on ‘Engaging with Students’. The event brought together around 100 staff members from across the Schools and Central Services to talk, learn and think about ways of contributing to the positive experience students have of studying at City.
The event began with a debate between the City Law School’s Professor Nigel Duncan and Dr Chris Wiley of The School of Arts and Social Sciences. The speakers conducted a lively and engaging discussion on the motion ‘Assessment Practice in Higher Education relies largely on a limited range of methods that are not always fit for purpose’.
This was the first in a series of debates that will be hosted by the LDC this year. If you’d like to get involved in the next debate it is scheduled to take place as part of the next Researcher’s Development Day on Friday 4th May 2012. Keep an eye on this blog or the LDC events webpage for updates on the motion to be discussed and other details.
After the debate, the rest of the Showcase was opened up and attendees were able to visit stalls displaying projects and initiatives from across City, and talk to those who are leading on these projects. There was a huge range of work being shown, from a demonstration of how to use Augmented Reality to engage students in your teaching, to an in-depth look at the ongoing Learning Spaces project and some of the innovations that are being introduced to the learning environment. Throughout the afternoon, images from the event were being posted to Twitter and you can look through these here.
The event was rounded off with an awards ceremony at which Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Curran handed out certificates to Learning Development Fellows and recent graduates of the Academic Practice Programme. Those that were able to attend and collect their awards were as follows –
Learning Development Fellowships
- Stephen Abbott
- Angela Dove
- Dr Ragnar Johnson
- Namita Sharma
- James Toner
Introductory Certificate in Academic Practice
- Montaserbellah Abdi
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
- Marie Johnson
- Karin MacKenzie
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Technology Enabled)
- Pascale Colonna-Cesari
- Katy Jordan
Congratulations to all, and to all those who were unable to attend.
What’s on at the MILL
Video Making Day @ the MILL – 13th March, 11th April, 15th May 2012, 9am-5pmThis intensive one-day course will show you essentials of video production, from how to use the camera, composing your shots and editing your footage using Final Cut Pro into a finished film. Essential technical aspects are also covered but in an easily accessible way. By the end of the workshop you’ll be able to create and edit your own films with a greater degree of confidence. This course acts as an induction to using The MILL and many staff who have attended continue to develop their skills and produce films using the Mill facilities.
TV Studio Induction @ the MILL – 1st March & 1st May 2012, 10am-12.30pmThe TV Studio (room E206 at the MILL, Drysdale Building) is ideal for recording interviews and presentations. This sessionwill take you through lighting, using the two professional cameras, the backdrops and blue screen, using the autocue, mixing and saving the footage. Some experience of shooting and editing video or using an SLR camera is essential for those taking this course; it is not suitable for beginners. Staff are welcome to use the TV studio unassisted after this induction.
iMovie @ the MILL – 23rd March 2012 – 1.30pm-4pm Learn how to film, edit, post to the web, embed and view your movie – all in one go – using the MILL movie toolkit. This session will take you through the whole process: using MILL cameras, iMoviesoftware, a web hosting service and Moodle. This session is suitable for beginners and should enable staff to use the kit independently or in the MILL afterwards.
For more information visit the MILL website here, or go straight to the booking form here.
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–Learning development project results in book publication
Naomi Cocks and Celia Harding from the Department of Language and Communication Science were beneficiaries of LDC learning development project funding in 2009/10. Their project focused on focused on developing competencies for children and/or adults with complex eating and drinking needs, (Dysphagia). The project involved developing materials and a placement workbook for students and clinicians across multiple sites in Greater London. Throughout the duration of the project the team were mentored by Neal Sumner, their Learning Development Centre link. Although the project met changed from its initial scope it has now resulted in the preparation and publication of a book, Developing Clinical Skills in Dysphagia, edited by Naomi Cocks and Celia Harding. which will be launched here at City University London on 13th February 2012.
Congratulations to Naomi and Celia!
Research Skills for Students
21st March 2012 13.00 – 17.00
This is a research skills session aimed at research students. It will showcase the University’s online support for developing research skills and will include a workshop on developing the digital researcher. For more details contact ldc@city.ac.uk
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Dates for your Diary
Video Making Day -Wednesday 15th February 2012, 9am – 5pm
TV Studio Induction – Thursday 1st March 2012
LDC Research & Journal Club – Monday 12th March 2012
Research Skills for Students – Wednesday 21st March 2012
Video Making Day – Wednesday 11th April 2012, 9am – 5pm
TV Studio Induction – Tuesday 1st May 2012
Researcher’s Development Day – Friday 4th May 2012