[2003]		The Learning, Teaching and Assessment Newsletter of the Faculty of Science, LJMU
Ab		stract #1.2		3^rd November 2016
1849		… to be no more than 670 words.
Annual Faculty LTA Development Day 2016/17: Thursday 5^th Jan 2017 The theme of the next event was inspired by feedback from our teaching observation scheme and will cover analysis tools in education:
>	Geographic Information System (GIS), Liz Whitfield NSP: The GIS software enables the analysis and presentation of spatial data and so has applications beyond geography.
>	NetLogo, Will Swaney (NSP): Netlogo is programmable modelling environment that can be used to create dynamic simulations.
>	MATLAB, Mark Robinson (SPS): A site licence for MATLAB (matrix laboratory) was recently acquired and it can be used to plot functions, implement algorithms and analyse data.
If you have a topic that aligns with the above and are able to present then please contact me.
Textwall accounts for all Science staff Textwall enables students to send messages and MCQ responses through mobile phones to staff. A user guide is available here. It is my intention to set up all Faculty teaching staff with Textwall accounts on Monday 14^th November. We have an unlimited licence and so there is no cost implication. If you do not want a Textwall account created then please email me via this link on/by Friday 11^th November.
Student photographs, Outlook and Class Lists Photographs for all Faculty 2016 UG starters are now available for association with student email accounts. After using this procedure, you will be able to see who has emailed you and who you are emailing. The photographs and a macro-enabled Excel are available from zip files stored at this page. The password has been provided separately. See here for informaton on class (photo) lists for your modules.
VLE update (thanks to the Teaching & Learning Academy)
The postcard (right) that was delivered to your pigeonhole provided a reminder of the University’s exploration of a new virtual learning environment (VLE). This will replace our existing version of Blackboard for 2016/17 and this webpage provides a summary of developments.
Directed Study Week Next week is Directed Study Week across the University and this webpage provides details for students of the activities available. Workshops and training sessions provided by Professional Service teams will run only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The emphasis is around transition for new students, but the various sessions can be attended by all UG and PGT students.
Shyness and the University, Prof Joe Moran (APSS) 4.00pm – 5.30pm, Wed 30th Nov Roscoe Boardroom, Egerton Court, 2 Rodney Street In the next talk in the Research and Practice Seminar series, Prof Moran will share insights from his research on shyness, and from his recent book ‘Shrinking Violets’. You may have already read a related piece by Prof Moran in the THES. To book a place, please email TLAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk.
iSpring (thanks to Chris Gillies)
iSpring lets you rapidly create professional looking interactive, online and mobile ready resources, all from within PowerPoint. This will be of interest to anyone that wants to enhance their support for blended, flipped or distance learning but is struggling to find time to learn about a new technology.
Class tests A reminder that the Faculty procedures for assessment and feedback prohibit paper in-class tests as the administrative burden of accommodating separate sittings and extra time falls on academic staff. These assessment types can be used during the formal examination periods when the University arranges special provision. Non-invigilated online tests (e.g. quizzes) may still be used and Blackboard can be readily configured to allow for extra time. Invigilated online tests should be avoided as academic staff are required to offer separate sittings and/or other special arrangements for students entitled to these.
Tutorial cancellation FMT have agreed that tutorials cancelled within one week of the scheduled time/date should be recorded within the Cancellation of Taught Sessions procedure and the policy has been updated accordingly.
Phil Denton, Faculty of Science Associate Dean (Education)

Maintained by SCSADE@ljmu.ac.uk. Last Update: 08/11/2016.