Teaching Technologies
Blackboard
learning environment
Every module run and programme has a site on Blackboard. Use it for making announcements, launching learning activities, providing materials, and for online assessment and feedback.
Panopto
video capture
For recording and delivering video and audio. Use it to capture your slides and desktop, to add captions and quizzes, and to securely store and release recordings in Blackboard.
Mentimeter
polling
An online polling tool to add interactivity to a live or recorded presentation. Used for icebreakers, knowledge checks, gauging opinion and prompting debate.
Collaborate
webinars
A virtual classroom webinar tool for communicating online in real time by voice or text. Use it for group discussions, collaborative activities, one-to-ones and as a social space.
PebblePad
eportfolios
An online platform where students evidence their learning in portfolios and workbooks. Use it to securely view, assess and provide feedback on students’ work as it develops.
LinkedIn Learning
training videos
LinkedIn Learning has thousands of training videos for software, design and business skills. Use it to supplement teaching and to help students develop skills.
Xerte
interactive learning materials
Xerte is a tool for creating accessible, multi-media, interactive resources. Use it to create engaging learning materials that students access using a web browser.
Reading Lists
recommended reading
A resource for students to access their recommended reading quickly and easily. Use it to create dynamic reading lists that can be embedded within Blackboard.
Dewis
assessing maths and statistics
A web-based algorithmic assessment system for maths and statistics. Use it for summative assessment or allow students to use it for formative learning.
Teams
collaboration platform
Teams is a suite of messaging, file sharing and video conferencing tools in Microsoft Office 365. Use it to work together with others synchronously and asynchronously.
Other tools
suitable for your subject
Lots of other great learning tools are available on the web. To help ensure tools are suitable for use with students we have a checklist of things to look out for.
Articles related to Teaching Technologies
Simple surveys and quizzes using Microsoft Forms
Forms can be used to create both surveys and quizzes which can be integrated into Teams and Outlook, embedded in your Blackboard module or shared using a link. Continue Reading Simple surveys and quizzes using Microsoft Forms
Xerte Conference: March 2021
Highlights of the online Xerte conference. Continue Reading Xerte Conference: March 2021
Machine translation software
Machine translation software automates the process of translating text or audio from one language to another. Microsoft Translator This is an embedded tool in Microsoft Office 365 and enables quick…
Student-led Teams meetings
One of the great things about Teams over Blackboard Collaborate is that it allows students to organise themselves independently. It gives them the power to set up meetings, come together…
Assessed Student Presentations – which methods should you choose?
Panopto and Collaborate can both be used for assessed student presentations – which is best for your scenario? Continue Reading Assessed Student Presentations – which methods should you choose?
Using Groups in Blackboard
You can create groups of students in your Blackboard course. This can be useful for facilitating group work, providing different materials to different students, or dividing your class up for administrative purposes. Continue Reading Using Groups in Blackboard
Introducing Microsoft Whiteboard
If you’re missing a whiteboard, check out Microsoft Whiteboard, a collaborative digital canvas that is available to download from the UWE software centre (there is an online version but it…
Mentimeter icebreaker activities
Mentimeter is easy to use, has some great features and has proven popular with staff and students alike. The aim of this post is to share some examples of how…
Combining videos in Panopto
Various ways of putting together different recordings or takes to give your students a seamless experience without you having to create long videos. Continue Reading Combining videos in Panopto
Playlists in Panopto
Learn how to set up and share a Panopto playlist. Continue Reading Playlists in Panopto
Using Clips in Panopto
Learn how to insert one Panopto recording into another – useful for adding in content you forgot to record or needed to do at a different time or place. Continue Reading Using Clips in Panopto
Advanced techniques for combining videos in Panopto
Two slightly more complex ways of combining videos in Panopto – merging, and adding streams. Continue Reading Advanced techniques for combining videos in Panopto
Creating captions using YouTube
This article explains how to improve accessibility on your self-created video resources by creating a captions file in YouTube. Continue Reading Creating captions using YouTube
Using the Focus and Cut tools when editing in Panopto
Advanced Panopto editing working with different streams, including how to add and remove slides. Continue Reading Using the Focus and Cut tools when editing in Panopto
An introduction to hybrid teaching
A guide for teaching in situations where some of your students are in the physical classroom and others are online. Continue Reading An introduction to hybrid teaching
Quick transcripts for your Panopto recordings
Create a transcript from automated captions. Continue Reading Quick transcripts for your Panopto recordings
The Collaborate Assessment Tool
This is a series of short videos on how to use the new Blackboard Collaborate Assessment tool with your students. Continue Reading The Collaborate Assessment Tool
Captions in Panopto
Make your desktop recordings more accessible by using Panopto automatic captioning. Continue Reading Captions in Panopto
Understanding Panopto streams
How to get your recordings to look the way you want. Continue Reading Understanding Panopto streams
What do I do if Collaborate is down?
A guide to getting your students onto a Teams meeting if Blackboard Collaborate is unavailable Continue Reading What do I do if Collaborate is down?
Why you should launch your Panopto quizzes from Blackboard
If you use Panopto quizzes, make sure you understand how to link to the Panopto recordings correctly. Continue Reading Why you should launch your Panopto quizzes from Blackboard
Attendee roles in Collaborate
Understand the different roles in Collaborate webinars and how to assign them. Continue Reading Attendee roles in Collaborate
Adding Mentimeter quizzes to Panopto recordings
You can use Mentimeter within your Panopto recordings to keep them interactive just as you would in a classroom. Continue Reading Adding Mentimeter quizzes to Panopto recordings
Using Blackboard Collaborate across modules and programmes
Learn how to get a link for your live Collaborate session and a link for the recorded session, for students who can’t enter through the Blackboard module site. Continue Reading Using Blackboard Collaborate across modules and programmes
Delivering webinars: Guides for using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
This article provides written and video guidance material for using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra to deliver webinars (live lectures and lessons delivered virtually). For an overview and related articles, see our…
Editing recordings from Blackboard Collaborate using Panopto
If you want to edit a recording from Blackboard Collaborate, you will need to download it and upload it into Panopto. Continue Reading Editing recordings from Blackboard Collaborate using Panopto
Next year’s reading lists
For 2020/21: All the guidance you need to know about reading lists in one place Continue Reading Next year’s reading lists
Student Presentations in PowerPoint
Some instructions for your students on using PowerPoint to record if they are unable to use Kaltura. Continue Reading Student Presentations in PowerPoint
Laurillard’s learning types for online and blended learning
Learn which tools can help you implement Laurillard’s six learning types online. Continue Reading Laurillard’s learning types for online and blended learning
Captioning Kaltura Recordings Automatically
Quickly add captions to all your Kaltura recordings. Continue Reading Captioning Kaltura Recordings Automatically
Active learning using Bookmarks, Notes and Discussions in Panopto
Suggestions for active learning activities using Panopto tools. Continue Reading Active learning using Bookmarks, Notes and Discussions in Panopto
Using Panopto Bookmarks, Notes and Discussions tools
Understand how your students can make use of the tools in Panopto to get more from your video recordings by adding bookmarks, taking notes and discussing with classmates. Continue Reading Using Panopto Bookmarks, Notes and Discussions tools
Student tips for watching Panopto recordings
Here are some tips that students might find helpful when watching Panopto event capture recordings. Continue Reading Student tips for watching Panopto recordings
Mentimote: control your Mentimeter slides from your mobile device
Learn how to use Mentimote to control your Mentimeter presentations remotely from your smartphone. Continue Reading Mentimote: control your Mentimeter slides from your mobile device
Tests and quizzes in the (virtual) classroom
Options for running a synchronous test or quiz in a classroom or webinar. Continue Reading Tests and quizzes in the (virtual) classroom
Tests and quizzes – which tool do I choose?
Compare the different tools for running asynchronous tests and quizzes. Continue Reading Tests and quizzes – which tool do I choose?
FET Blackboard Module Template 2020/21
Find out about the changes to the 2020/21 FET Blackboard Module Template and other support to help you create an accessible module site. Continue Reading FET Blackboard Module Template 2020/21
FET Blackboard Module Template 2020/21: Copying Content to a New Module Run
IMPORTANT: Please read before setting up your new 2020/21 Blackboard module runs. Continue Reading FET Blackboard Module Template 2020/21: Copying Content to a New Module Run
Statistics from Blackboard Collaborate sessions
The Interactive Tutorials Report in Collaborate shows you who joined your live sessions. Continue Reading Statistics from Blackboard Collaborate sessions
Replacing face-to-face lectures with recorded lectures – good practice
Delivering content outside the lecture theatre – tips for desktop recordings. Continue Reading Replacing face-to-face lectures with recorded lectures – good practice
Using Panopto to capture meetings in Microsoft Teams
A workaround for recording your meetings in Teams. Continue Reading Using Panopto to capture meetings in Microsoft Teams
Recording presentations in PowerPoint
The recording feature in PowerPoint presents a convenient alternative to using Panopto to create desktop recordings. The main benefit of recording in PowerPoint is that each slide is an independent…
SafeAssign file limits
While a Blackboard submission point can accept file sizes of up to 100MB, they will not be processed by SafeAssign unless they are below 10MB. This is because SafeAssign is…
Using Collaborate: a guide for students
The LIU’s guide to participating in webinars for students. Continue Reading Using Collaborate: a guide for students
Interactive seminars, tutorials and drop-ins using Blackboard Collaborate
Whether you’re using a flipped learning model, facilitating group work or just wanting to give your students some individual support, online interaction can be done through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Here…
Setting up breakout groups in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
Breakout groups allow multiple linked Collaborate sessions to happen at the same time; the online equivalent of students splitting off to work in groups in a classroom. In a breakout…
Active Learning with Mentimeter
Mentimeter for Teaching Part 2. This series of articles explores how Mentimeter can be used to enrich the student experience and boost engagement. Continue Reading Active Learning with Mentimeter
Using Panopto to create desktop recordings – video guides
5 short videos from the LIU covering how to make, edit and publish a desktop recording. Continue Reading Using Panopto to create desktop recordings – video guides
Uploading videos to Panopto
You can use Panopto to provide video content from guest lecturers to your students on Blackboard. Continue Reading Uploading videos to Panopto
Using Mentimeter to check progress
Mentimeter for Teaching Part 3. This series of articles explores how Mentimeter can be used to enrich the student experience and boost engagement. Continue Reading Using Mentimeter to check progress
Creating an Assessment Submission Point in Blackboard
These instructions cover setting up a submission point for an online exam (as part of the contingency plan). Continue Reading Creating an Assessment Submission Point in Blackboard
Installing Panopto
As a UWE member of staff, you can use Panopto on your work or home computer. Here’s how to do it. Continue Reading Installing Panopto
Three ways to add quizzes and interactivity to Panopto recordings
Add interactivity to your videos using Panopto quizzes, Mentimeter or Xerte. Continue Reading Three ways to add quizzes and interactivity to Panopto recordings
How to change your assignment deadline in Pebblepad
A short video guide to changing your assignment dates in PebblePad. Continue Reading How to change your assignment deadline in Pebblepad
‘Access request’ to Panopto recordings
If you or your students are denied access to a recording, please read on for the solution. Continue Reading ‘Access request’ to Panopto recordings
Contingency plan for move to online delivery
An article on using Panopto for desktop recording and running webinars using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Continue Reading Contingency plan for move to online delivery
Using Mentimeter in and out of the classroom
Mentimeter for Teaching Part 1. This series of articles explores how Mentimeter can be used to enrich the student experience and boost engagement. Continue Reading Using Mentimeter in and out of the classroom
Delivering effective feedback in PebblePad
Our new resource introduces you to six effective HE feedback practices, their benefits and how you can implement them in PebblePad. Continue Reading Delivering effective feedback in PebblePad
Mentimeter – converting previous polls
If you have previously used a different in-class polling system such as TurningPoint, here are some things to consider when converting your polls to Mentimeter. Continue Reading Mentimeter – converting previous polls
Mentimeter – sharing and access
Learn how to manage your Mentimeter presentations in and outside of class: how to hide results, close a poll and share both the results and the presentation itself. Continue Reading Mentimeter – sharing and access
Adding a YouTube caption file to your video using Panopto
If you have a self-created video resource, this post explains how to improve accessibility by associating a caption file with it using Panopto. Continue Reading Adding a YouTube caption file to your video using Panopto
Adding a YouTube caption file to your video using Kaltura
If you have a self-created video resource, this post explains how to improve accessibility by associating a caption file with it using Kaltura. Continue Reading Adding a YouTube caption file to your video using Kaltura
Getting started with Mentimeter
UWE has adopted Mentimeter as the new polling tool for the university. Here is a quick guide to help you find your way around. Continue Reading Getting started with Mentimeter
Three great things about Xerte
Xerte is an open-source browser-based tool that allows educators to develop rich, interactive and highly accessible content quickly and easily and to seamlessly publish that content online Continue Reading Three great things about Xerte
Kaltura (desktop recording)
Record, upload, manage and deliver video and audio files. Enable students to record and submit video assignments Continue Reading Kaltura (desktop recording)
FET Blackboard Programme Sites – Example
This is an example of a FET Blackboard programme site. Continue Reading FET Blackboard Programme Sites – Example
Help students develop their academic writing skills with SafeAssign
Find out how Blackboard’s originality checker can be used to embed good referencing practice. Continue Reading Help students develop their academic writing skills with SafeAssign
Panopto: What to do if you record to the wrong folder
Step by step instructions from Blackboard Support for copying your recording(s). Continue Reading Panopto: What to do if you record to the wrong folder
Panopto recordings – The safe and effective way to include YouTube content
Use the ‘Add a YouTube video’ button to safely, and seamlessly, include YouTube content in your learning resource. Continue Reading Panopto recordings – The safe and effective way to include YouTube content
Give new life to your online topic material with Xerte
If you have teaching and learning material lying dormant in an online topic, Xerte offers you a great way to give this content new life. Continue Reading Give new life to your online topic material with Xerte
Three great things about PebblePad
There are lots of good things about PebblePad (and a few not so good, too!) and in this article I will share with you my top three. Continue Reading Three great things about PebblePad
Programmatic Blackboard View
For information about the new Programmatic Blackboard view, please read on. Continue Reading Programmatic Blackboard View
Dewis tests v Blackboard tests: which one do I choose?
The first consideration would be the type of questions your test needs to have. Blackboard has a wider variety of question types and, depending on the subject matter of the test, this may be the deciding factor. Continue Reading Dewis tests v Blackboard tests: which one do I choose?
What is Dewis?
Have you come across references to Dewis and were unsure of what it is? Does the module you teach involve numeracy and maths? Continue Reading What is Dewis?
Panopto on a lectern PC routine
Following these tips should help your Panopto experience in the classroom go smoothly. Continue Reading Panopto on a lectern PC routine
Getting ‘In the Zone’ on the St Fagans field trip, in rural Wales
(by Fabia Jeddere-Fisher) After some initial exuberance with the idea of using an app to lead the students round the outdoor museum, St Fagans; our next thoughts were “But there’s…
BB Student – an app for accessing Blackboard on mobile devices
Find out what students using a smartphone see on Blackboard Continue Reading BB Student – an app for accessing Blackboard on mobile devices
Piazza (collaboration tool)
Piazza is a Q&A and discussion platform designed to simulate real class discussion. It aims to get high quality answers to difficult questions, fast. Continue Reading Piazza (collaboration tool)
Interactive learning resources in Xerte for equipment in labs and studios
Many courses in our faculty involve students using equipment in laboratories and studios – from simple scalpels to much more complex items. Continue Reading Interactive learning resources in Xerte for equipment in labs and studios
Interactive timelines your students will love
Bring a timeline of dates to life with images, videos, maps and web pages Continue Reading Interactive timelines your students will love
Wikis
A wiki is simply a website on which users can easily create and edit web pages and edit the content (text, images, hyperlinks etc.) on those pages. They are good for group and project work where students are asked to work together to plan, develop or present their work. Continue Reading Wikis
Blogs
A blog is a website which usually takes the form of a series of posts arranged in reverse-chronologocal order, i.e. the most recent post appears at the top of the page. Students writing their own blogs, commenting on other people’s blogs, and consulting blogs written by experts in their field are common learning activities in Higher Education today. Continue Reading Blogs
Use Twitter in the courses you teach?
It might be a good way to promote active and informal learning and to help learners make connections between academic work and the sector they wish to work in after…
How Slideshare spoiled my post on Social Media
I’ve been meaning to write an article about the benefits of Social Media in learning for a long time… Continue Reading How Slideshare spoiled my post on Social Media
Finding out more about wikis in education
A wiki is a website where users can easily add, edit and delete content without specialist software or technical knowledge. Users can create new wiki pages and link them to others, and they can edit existing pages, including those created by other learners. Continue Reading Finding out more about wikis in education
What’s the difference between wikis and blogs?
For several years now wikis and blogs have both been widely used in Higher Education. Both are platforms for easily publishing material to the web and both provide a platform for feedback. Both are ideal for learner-centred activities with learners taking part in collaborative tasks aiding knowledge construction. And both can be used to deliver rich content for learners to absorb. Continue Reading What’s the difference between wikis and blogs?