[2003]		The Learning, Teaching and Assessment Newsletter of the Faculty of Science, LJMU
Ab		stract #4.5
1849		… to be no more than 713 words.			3^rd July 2020
Exceptional summer update in light of COVID-19 and the continuing lockdown
University support for 2020/21 delivery The University’s guidance ‘Active blended learning as a response to social distancing measures’ has been shared with staff and sets out our broad approach for next year: Plan B is wholly online learning, in the event of national/local lockdown, and Plan A is active blended learning. In the Faculty of Science, the latter will normally include three hours of on-campus laboratory work per week, although programme variations apply. Online synchronous (e.g. webcast) and asynchronous (i.e. recorded) teaching sessions, and activities on Canvas such as quizzes, will count as delivery hours in 2020/21.
>	The Teaching and Leaning Academy have redesigned their learning technology support pages including an A-Z of learning tools.
>	The online calendar of training events has been updated to include a new session: Introduction to Active Blended Learning.
>	Dr Louise Robson of the University of Sheffield will be presenting at an online session on Friday 10^th July 11am-12pm. Entitled ‘Sharing online practise’ it will provide you with ideas and inspiration for the coming semester.
>	Panopto webcasting, MS Teams, Zoom, Canvas Conferences (Big Blue Button) and Adobe Connect will all be available for online synchronous classroom teaching in 2020/21. The breakout room facility of Zoom and its integration within Canvas are noteworthy. MS Teams will be enhanced by Microsoft to accommodate 49 attendees.
>	The chat/discussion functions of our webcasting tools invariably identify the author of any comments. Vevox remains available and may be used in conjunction with webcasting software to solicit anonymous comments from attendees, with moderation applied.
>	The PC booking software, originally used to reserve a PC in the libraries (perhaps with specific software) is being reconfigured: It will be used for students to book PCs that they can they use through remote access from their home device.
>	Most 2020/21 modules are now available on Canvas (Canvas > Account > My Canvas Admin > Add course). The remainder will be added in early August.
>	WebPA, the online peer moderation system, will be replaced by Buddy Checker in 2020/21, and resources to support this tool will be provided through the Teaching and Learning Academy in due course.
>	The CareerSmart: Explore activity, embedded in a Level 4 module, will be wholly online in 2020/21. A new title for this activity is being considered and it will be confirmed by the end of July.
>	LJMU has a range of digital careers tools, including an automated CV checker and virtual interview simulation.
Faculty Support for 2020/21 delivery The Faculty has developed a shopping list of software and hardware and most items have now being approved for purchase by either the University or Faculty.
>	If you need a USB headset or webcam then please enter your name and requirements into this form. Collection arrangements will be communicated.
>	Mini recording studios will be established in three Byrom St laboratories. Guidance on using tandem webcams for recordings in other settings will be shared.
>	The Learning Science suite of virtual pre-laboratory resources (Chemistry and Bioscience) is being ordered and will be available to students through Canvas.
>	A list of open educational resources that provide free virtual laboratories and simulations is being compiled. Please email p.denton@ljmu.ac.uk to add to this resource.
Panopto file naming convention Panopto recordings appear within the tutor’s selected module within Canvas but, by default, all module tutors share the same folder. Please name any recordings so that they start with: SurnameXX i.e. surname (or other unique identifier) followed by a two digit session number. e.g. Denton01. Any text may then be added after this, e.g. Denton01.1 Atoms, but this consistent start text will ensure recordings can be sorted by students into the correct sequence.
			External online teaching support How To Teach Online: Providing Continuity for Students is a free online course, undertaken by, and recommended by, colleagues with the Faculty. The six hour programme explores online teaching in a practical course designed in response to COVID-19.
Phil Denton, Faculty of Science Associate Dean (Education)

Maintained by SCSADE@ljmu.ac.uk. Last Update: 06/07/2020.