Welcome
Welcome back to what we are sure will be another fantastic year of teaching and learning! Hopefully, you had time to enjoy a well-earned break and are already back in full swing!
In this month’s issue, you can find need-to-know news, advice, top tips, and resources. All to help improve your Digital Teaching, Learning, and Assessment practice.
For Digital Learning courses and resources, head over to Digital Learning Pathways on StaffZone.
News
Post-rollover update 2026
Just before the summer break, we successfully rolled over LearnZone and Teams for the new academic year. Our Post-rollover update 2026 blog post contains all the essential information you need to prepare for the start of term.
Please take a few minutes to visit our blog, where you’ll find key updates and any actions you need to take.
Google for Education – Gemini and Notebook licence
As we prepare for the new academic year at Loughborough College Group, we are thrilled to announce a major new addition to our digital toolkit.
We have just secured a new Google Workspace for Education license, giving all staff secure, enterprise-level access to Google Gemini and Gemini Notebook (previously NotebookLM). Learn more in our blog post.
On campus support
This academic year, we’re excited to announce that members of the Digital Learning team will be based at each campus on specific days throughout the week.
- Mondays and Tuesdays, Pooja Chauhan will be at Stephenson campus, based in the IT office.
- Tuesdays and Fridays, Vanessa De Zilva will be at Brooksby campus, based in the IT office.
- Loughborough campus: The Digital Learning team will continue to be available on site every day.
This increased presence across our campuses will make it easier for staff to access support when needed. Please note that these days may occasionally change; any updates will be communicated through our newsletter and blog. Alternatively, you can book a Digital Coaching session at a date and time that suits you.
You can also get in touch with the team via our ticketing system by emailing digitallearning@loucoll.ac.uk, and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Top Tips and Resources
Student Helpdesk
The Student Helpdesk has been refreshed over the summer. For those unaware, the Student Helpdesk is a central hub designed to support students with clear, accessible information and guidance.
They will find helpful information on accessing their college accounts, Teams, LearnZone, Turnitin, ILP, Accessibility and much more.
Make sure to highlight the Helpdesk to your students and encourage them to check it first whenever they need help or support.
Canva Whiteboards as a Padlet alternative
If you are looking for an alternative to Padlet, with no restrictive board limits, Canva’s Whiteboards are a great option. With Canva’s education licence, you can create as many whiteboards as you need. Learn more in our blog post.
Help and Support
As always, contact the Digital Learning Team for more information, guidance, and support. You can also book a coaching session here: Digital Learning Coaching.