Blended Learning Toolkit
The Blended Learning Toolkit has been developed to further engage and support School of Business staff in the development and implementation of educational innovation. Its primary function is to provide support for the technologies demonstrated in various School-based professional development workshops. It is also designed as an easy to use resource for teaching staff interested in learning about the range of tools currently available which are creating new opportunities to innovate and enhance teaching and learning at UWS.
Enhancing face-to-face sessions
Creating engaging presentations
All great presentations have the ability to convey a message, make a point quickly, concisely and memorably and shine in three areas: content, design and delivery. Below are some tools and ideas on creating engaging presentations.
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Enhancing PowerPoint presentations
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Prezi allows you to structure your presentations conceptually rather than being limited by the separation and linear flow of slides. You can create a free “Enjoy Edu” account using your UWS email. Prezi allows for easy importing of PowerPoint slides if you want to convert your current presentations into Prezis (
Keynote is an Apple application for creating, delivering and sharing presentations on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. It is compatible with Powerpoint, so that you can open a PowerPoint file in Keynote. You can also export your presentations as Keynote or PowerPoint files in all slide sizes, or as PDF files.Audience response system
One of the challenges with teaching large classes is the lack of feedback from, and engagement of, students. Do they understand? What do they think? Are the still awake?!!!
Using an audience response system empowers the teacher with a means of confirming student understanding instantly and allowing the learner to have input into the class (eg, indicating where they would like further explanation of a concept). These tools also ensure anonymity to help students overcome the barriers inherent in responding to questions in a public forum. Effectively integrated into the design of lectures, Audience Response Systems also allow you to blend regular activity to break up your content and provide time for reflection - all of which have the potential to improve the quality of learning.
Some of the tools available include:
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Data from the class participation (eg, student comments, results on quizzes) can be exported into a spreadsheet to allow later analysis on an individual or class wide basis. |
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Poll Everywhere Poll Everywhere can be used to gather live responses in any venue. Poll Everywhere has been used for checking comprehension of subject matter, texting questions to expert panels, anonymous polling, brainstorming. Audiences respond to questions using any mobile device, web browser or twitter with the results being displayed live in PowerPoint, Keynote or on the web. |
TodaysMeet TodaysMeet is a backchannel which helps academics conduct online discussions while channelling the results onto one web page. It is similar to Twitter as it gets students chatting using a 140 character limit and an easy to use interface. |
This tool is currently in use at the University of Western Sydney and includes the features:
Google forms is a useful tool to send a survey, give students a quiz or collect other information in an easy, streamlined way. The Google form can be connected to a Google spreadsheet where responses will be automatically updated in real time.You will need to create a Google account to use Google Forms.Instant feedback cards
Instant feedback cards or ‘scratchy cards’ offer a way of verifying students’ class preparation in a format that promotes learning. Including an activity like a quiz (either individual and/or group based) using the scratchy cards in your class communicates to students that out-of-class learning is important to their success and also provides you with an insight into what students know and what they don’t know.
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Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique If you would like assistance with designing an activity using the IF-AT scratchy card system, please contact one of the Blended Learning Advisors. |
The Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique is a testing system that transforms traditional multiple-choice testing into an interactive learning opportunity for students and a more informative assessment opportunity for teachers.Creating a rich online learning environment
Using vodcasting tools
There are many different types of learners and the types of media that are effective for reaching your students continues to evolve. Video podcasts, or ‘vodcasts’ are one tool that you can use to create engaging online content that students can access anytime, anywhere. Vodcasts enable students to take content with them on their media players / mobile devices and turn situations like long commutes or gym workouts into learning opportunities. It also allows users the flexibility to return to and revise content that they find more challenging and so helps consolidate learning. If explanation of key concepts and principles is available online in this form, it also means that students can focus on listening and engaging in lectures rather than frantic note-taking.
Vodcast tools can be used to develop:
- online mini lecture series using screen and webcam capture
- online demonstration videos using screen capture and onscreen highlights
- online revision videos using screen capture only, and
- online welcome / orientation / engagement video using webcam capture only.
There are many easy to use and inexpensive vodcasting tools available. Below is a sample recommended by the School of Business:
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Screencast-O-Matic is a free online software that is easy to use. It allows both screen and webcam capture. The School of Business currently has a ‘Pro Page’ subscription which provides full access to the Pro version, which gives you editing tools to cut sections, add overlay, add new recordings, add images and animations. Files can be saved to your Screencast-O-Matic account, YouTube or to your computer. Files can also be re-edited (with the Pro version). |
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Snagit Available via ‘Run Advertised Programs’
Snagit has no editing functionality.Snagit can be used to record and share lessons with students and also used to edit or annotate your lecture slides and handouts for students. |
 Camtasia is a more advanced online recording and editing tool however is still relatively easy to use. Camtasia provides good recording functionalities and versatile editing features. It is the recommended software for editing Snagit recordings. Snagit is a recording tool available via ‘Run Advertised Program’ at UWS.The School of Business currently has 2 licences for Camtasia. Please contact a Blended Learning Advisor if you are interested in using this tool. |
Snagit is an easy to use screen capture software application. You can record screen videos and enhance your images. Snagit records system audio automatically so you can capture sound from your computer, such as a YouTube video, during a recording without extra effort. Files are saved in mp4 format which is ideal for upload to vUWS.Library resources
UWS Library provides the UWS community with quality resources and services to support teaching and learning. The Library is a portal for accessing a wealth of content and has strategies that facilitate the use of a range of electronic resources such as multimedia, streaming video, audio and eBooks.
The Library is able to work collaboratively with the School to assist in providing access to and create resources that support blended learning. This includes the creation of short videos to assist with identifying resources for specific assessment tasks.
Some of the options offered by the Library are as follows:
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Learning objects Library learning objects are short interactive videos which assist students with finding information or resources. Videos created by the Library can be loaded to vUWS sites, making them available to students at the point of need. The Library offers two types of Learning Objects: Orientation or Instructional. Orientation Learning Objects are informational and point the way to resources or useful information. Here is an example of an Orientation Learning Object Instructional Learning Objects are longer (up to 2 minutes), and aim to teach library skills, for example identifying assignment keywords and evaluating resources. Watch this example of an instructional learning object. |
Library Youtube Channel The UWS Library site for training and related guides. |
Informit EduTV is an online TV streaming resource for Australian tertiary institutions. Find and instantly watch relevant television content. 10,000 programs including documentaries, drama and series complemented with study guides and articles are accessible via computer, tablet or smartphone. Register and sign in to make clips. Archive of programs from 2006 - with up to 80 new programs added weekly.Increasing marking efficiency and quality feedback
Feedback
Feedback is probably the best-tested principle in psychology. [It is] … most effective when it is timely, perceived as relevant, meaningful and encouraging, and offers suggestions for improvement that are within a student’s grasp (Brown, Bull, & Pendlebury, 1997).
For some, an online feedback and marking system that is easy to use will provide efficiencies to deal with growing class sizes. Students are calling for prompt, personalised feedback and both GradeMark and the Inline assignment grading tool in vUWS can offer a solution that meets this demand.
For more benefits of online feedback and marking, read this recent Macquarie University research project (item 2).
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GradeMark works best for individual assignments however can be used for group submissions with a workaround. Please contact one of the Blended Learning Advisors if you would like support with GradeMark. |
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Inline marking (vUWS) The Inline marking system in vUWS is a new addition to the vUWS tools. This feature works with the vUWS assignment tool in a very similar manner to GradeMark with Turnitin assignments. The main difference between the vUWS Inline marking system and GradeMark is that there is no provision to save repeat comments in a comment bank (such as with QuickMarks in GradeMark). A positive for the vUWS inline marking function is that it manages group assignments more efficiently than GradeMark. Rubrics can also be used in conjunction with the inline marking system. Here is a video clip highlighting the features of the inline marking system. |
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Use of PeerMark is limited to individual assignments and may require some consideration of assessment redesign. A PeerMark trial will be run by UWS. Please contact a Blended Learning Advisor if you would like to consider using PeerMark. |
GradeMark, a component of Turnitin, is a fully integrated extension module of Turnitin for the online submission and return of student work. It is available from within the Turnitin Assignment “inbox”. Students must submit their assignments through Turnitin for you to use GradeMark to mark the assignments. GradeMark will allow teaching staff to grade and provide feedback online. It is currently being trialled by Hugh Pattinson, Tim Hall, Keith Parry, Louise Kippist, Catherine Link, Mamta Chowdhury and Ian Caddy. GradeMark contains several tools and types of comments that instructors can use in assessing papers which include:
PeerMark is a component of Turnitin that allows students to review their peers’ papers based on free response questions or a marking rubric and develop critical thinking skills. Functions of PeerMark include:Contacts
| Name | Extension | |
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| Kate Alley | 9061 | k.alley@uws.edu.au |
| Xinni Du | 9061 | xinni.du@uws.edu.au |
| Paul Macmullen | 9442 | p.macmullen@uws.edu.au |
| Thomas Sadowski | 9805 | t.sadowski@uws.edu.au |
