Welcome
In this issue, we scare up some nightmarish news, terrifying tips, and drag the lake for resources, all to help improve your Digital Teaching, Learning, and Assessment practice. Want to share the spooky spirit with your students? Try out this fun Halloween Wayground quiz!
Nightmarish News
Turnitin update
We are aware of some issues with Turnitin in Teams and wanted to provide a quick update.
Currently, students cannot submit assignments when using an iPad. Turnitin are working to resolve the issue and advised students to use an alternative device to submit their work. Laptops are available for students to borrow in the Library.
Some students are experiencing difficulties accessing Turnitin assignments through Teams for the first time. This can happen for a variety of reasons. If a student navigates directly to the Turnitin tab, they may be prompted to authenticate. Completing this step should resolve the issue.
If staff or students are struggling to access and use Turnitin via Teams, we advise ensuring your computer and software are up to date, or trying to use Teams through an internet browser, such as Microsoft Edge. Turnitin should run smoothly from there.
To learn how to use Turnitin, why not complete our helpful course on StaffZone.
Teams sites
Following the merger of colleges, Brooksby and Stephenson Colleges have been experiencing some issues with their Teams sites that use the Class template. We are recommending that Brooksby and Stephenson Colleges’ staff archive all teaching sites to avoid issues later on. Learn how to archive a Team here.
New Teams should be created using this Form (located on the Staff Dashboard). These Teams are created automatically based on the information you provide.
Auto-enrol closing soon for FE LearnZone
Auto-enrol will be closing soon, and students will no longer auto-enrol onto FE LearnZone course pages.
If your students do not access your pages before half term, you will need to manually enrol them.
Learn how to enrol and unernol students from LearnZone in our video.
Terrifying Tips & Rotten Resources
Third-party app licences
As we are at the start of the academic year, we wanted to remind everyone of, and introduce new starters to, the third-party apps which we have full licences for.
- Wooclap – An engaging platform designed for teachers to create interactive presentations and activities for their students, including over 20 question types and activities, AI integration, and the ability to add your pre-made presentations.
- Wayground – An easy way to create gamified interactive quizzes and lessons that boost student engagement and check understanding, whether in real time or asynchronously. Its flexible modes and built-in AI tools make it simple to design activities that fit different teaching styles and learner needs.
- Edpuzzle – An interactive online platform designed to help educators enhance the learning experience for students by turning videos into engaging lessons.
These, along with many other popular apps, can be found in our Approved Platforms & Technologies.
If you would like more information or to arrange training on any of these, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best Practice for Microsoft Teams and LearnZone
To ensure a clear and consistent learning journey for all students, the Digital Learning Team developed two structured models for online delivery: Model 1: LearnZone as the main learning platform, and Model 2: Teams as the main learning platform. Our Best Practice guides outline essential elements for effective teaching and learning, including naming conventions, management, resource organisation, and assessment procedures. Whether you’re new to the College, or looking to refresh your knowledge, following these guidelines will help maintain quality, accessibility, and student engagement across all online provision.
Help and Support
The Digital Learning team wish you a safe, fun and spooky Halloween!
As always, contact the Digital Learning Team for more information, guidance, and support.
A reminder: we are now based in H108 (in the library).
Normalcy will return next month. No tears, please. It’s a waste of good suffering.