Teaching Matters

As part of the Learn Foundations project, a series of blog posts were written to detail the project journey: Spotlight on Learn Foundations Blog Posts 

• Building the foundations for a better student experience online: In this post, Stuart Nicol, Head of the Educational Design and Engagement (EDE) section in Information Services Group, introduces the ‘Spotlight on Learn Foundations‘ series. This series will feature posts throughout the next few years from colleagues in Schools who are using the new Learn Foundations structure, which aims to make courses in our VLE more usable and consistent for students  

• How well do we know our courses in Learn? In this ‘post, Neil Davidson, a Learning Technologist in Edinburgh Law School, shares his experiences of analysing courses in the Learn Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as part of the Learn Foundations project. 

• Working as an intern during lockdown: In this post, Rory Shaw, a fourth-year Mathematics student at The University of Edinburgh, describes his experience of an internship with the Learn Foundations Project during lockdown and the community-building activities he took part in. 

• Roads, Bridges, and Roadmaps – Building Courses on Learn: In this post, Triin Sulengo an undergraduate philosophy student describes the experience of successfully training staff on the use of Learn, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment as analogous to the principles of effective urban planning and cartography design. 

• Enhancing our use of the Learn VLE in different teaching settings: A new Learn Foundations Academic User Group chaired by Dr Paul Norris from the School of Social and Political Sciences helped ensure that the work led by the Learn Foundations project continued to be shaped through user research and evaluation activities.  In this post, Stuart Nicol, Head of Engagement and Digital Education in ISG, chats to Paul about his hopes and aspirations for the group as we continue to navigate unchartered waters and set our sights on increasing normality over the following 12 months 

• A backstage pass: In this post, Claudia Jones, a 4th year history and sociology student, describes her experience of working on the Learn Foundations team as a student intern, and illustrates how the contribution of student interns was integral to the University’s successful transition to digital and hybrid teaching and learning

• Teaching in the online space: In this post, Melissa Highton, reflects on the development of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at Edinburgh and how it is evolving.