Technology Facilitated Learning Development Programme

The Centre for Higher Education Practice is pleased to announce the launch of the 'Technology Facilitated Learning Development Programme'. This year the theme is "Assessment and Feedback for Learning" and is aligned to Ulster's Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning initiative.

Programme Aim

The Development Programme aims to support academic and support staff in adapting technology effectively to enhance their assessment and feedback practice. The programme will involve attendance at a creative workshop and subsequent support meetings that will enable practitioners to develop an effective assessment strategy.

The programme provides an opportunity for staff members who are responsible for the student learning experience to implement the 'principles of assessment and feedback for learning'through a structured supportive programme that will best meet the needs of staff, students and the subject.

Programme Objectives

Successful applicants will be encouraged, supported and have an opportunity to:

  • Implement Ulster's Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning into their practice
  • Engage in a creative design workshop to design an effective assessment and feedback solution
  • Explore the effective application of technology to support the delivery of your design
  • Build a community of practice to share ideas and exchange views regarding technology that can help deliver assessment and feedback effectively and efficiently
  • Share and disseminate their experiences of effective 'assessment and feedback' practice to a wider institutional audience through Ulster's Centre of Higher Education Practice Events
  • Contribute to an Institutional collection of teaching and learning case studies to engage and inspire others
  • Disseminate their practice to peers in the wider Higher Education Community
  • Use this programme as a stepping stone to apply for further funding e.g. CHEP Project Funds, HEA and JISC funding opportunities

Programme Structure

The programme is a based on rapid prototyping model and project principles guiding staff from the design stage of their development through to delivery and evaluation. This is achieved through the following scheduled events:

  • Stage 1: A Briefing Session
    A briefing with each selected team will allow the participants to meet with support staff and find out what advice and support is available to them. Participants will gain a full understanding of the design and development life-cycle (including the concepts, processes, timescales and outputs) and the level of commitment required to benefit most from the Programme. This briefing session will allow participants to prepare for the developments they will undertake as the programme progresses by developing and refining their objectives.
  • Stage 2: Creative Workshop
    A one day creative workshop held off campus and led by Staff from Technology Facilitated Learning with other related support departments. The workshop will draw together lecturers, students and support staff in a collaborative environment and encourage a community of practice to form. Participants will be facilitated to design and plan their solutions through structured practical hands-on activities in a rapid iterative design environment with opportunity to exchange ideas among support staff and participants.
  • Stage 3: Developmental Support Meetings
    Following the residential workshop, participants will be provided with required meetings/workshops to facilitate ongoing collaboration and guidance from TFL staff while they complete their developments.
  • Stage 4: Teaching Delivery Support
    Advice and support will be provided to ensure the development is implemented seamlessly into your teaching practice.
  • Stage 5: Evaluation and Impact
    Support will be provided in evaluating any tools/ technologies used to facilitate your project and their impact on the student's experience. The data will provide valuable data for future reuse and dissemination activities.
  • Stage 6: Dissemination Events
    Participants are greatly encouraged to disseminate their completed projects internally reporting on how it enhanced assessment and feedback practice through one of the following media formats; posters, podcasts, seminars and/or CHEP Institutional events.

How to apply?

The programme is application based and calls for teams across or within; Faculties / Support Departments / Schools who are responsible for the student learning experience including academic staff, academic related staff.

Teams are required to consist of three - four members and it is strongly encouraged that a student is a member within the team.

Interested staff are invited to submit an application form by Thursday 22nd of March 2012, 10am.