1849			The Learning, Teaching and Assessment Newsletter of the science Schools, LJMU
Ab			stract #9.1
[2024]			… to be no more than 917 words.		27^th September 2024
Supporting LTA within the new Faculty From 1^st March 2025, new merged-Faculty Associate Dean (AD) roles will be introduced. In the meantime, the three existing Faculty ADs Education and Student Experience (ESE) will continue to support their respective portfolios, this being the science Schools in my case.
Cite then right A reminder that from 2024/25, the University’s default referencing format follows the Cite them Right database. This resource includes a variety of styles, e.g. Harvard, and covers a variety of information sources e.g. Digital and Internet > Software > GenAI.
Exam Linguistics Tool In collaboration with the Teaching and Learning Academy, Dr Andy Lunn (A.M.Lunn@ljmu.ac.uk) has developed this 1-page tool to help improve the linguistics and comprehensibility of written assessments. This is based on good practice and his own research. Please feel free to use it when writing assessment questions
		NSS2024 Teaching on My Course (TOMC) Overall, the science Schools performed well in this category and this reflects the efforts of staff. Our overall Teaching on My Course (TOMC) score is above LJMU and the Sector (both by 2%) - a great achievement. NSS free text comments are reviewed by Programme Teams and as part of Faculty LTA Action Planning. Comments relating to TOMC have been collated across the Schools and five general themes that give rise to positive sentiments have emerged:
1. Content includes applied skills and contemporary topics perceived as being relevant to future studies and employment. 2. Interactivity during taught sessions. 3. Tutors’ appreciation of individual learner needs. 4. Enthusiastic delivery. 5. Recording of lectures. A reminder that our institutional classroom response system is Vevox for those wishing to incorporate interactivity within large group teaching. Note that a new Vevox add-in is available to use now in PowerPoint on LJMU PCs. You do not need to use the add-in if you adopt a windows overlay technique (video available from 30/9/24). Recording of lectures is not mandatory although it is encouraged when aligned with agreed protocols at School or programme level (where these are in place).
COMPASS and GenAI COMPASS is our framework for providing explicit guidance to students on GenAI use in assessment: N = No GenAI, S = Specified GenAI, E = Every GenAI, W = Ways of using GenAI.
Since my email (20 Aug), a new LJMU Assessment and Feedback policy has been added to Policy Centre and states, “If no guidance [on GenAI permissions in an assessment] is available, it will be assumed that the use of GenAI is acceptable.” Please continue to use COMPASS directions to provide guidance. In developing assessments that are adapted to GenAI, you may find this resource useful: Bloom’s Taxonomy Revisited. LJMU are among a group of universities taking part in a Jisc funded pilot looking at the use of the AI Chatbot to support induction.
Reading Lists in Canvas Leganto, our reading list software, underwent a minor facelift over the summer, the new look being made available from July. Please remember to periodically update and maintain your lists as there inform Library Services’ decisions regarding purchasing and support.
Teaching and Learning Academy (TLA) Items > We are looking for colleagues to deliver an Insight seminar. The format is quite loose, but it’s a chance for you to disseminate and develop ideas associated with enhancing academic practice and/or the student experience. If you want to discuss a potential presentation, please contact me in the first instance p.denton@ljmu.ac.uk.
> A support session is offered for those who have joined LJMU straight from industry or practice and are new to LJMU. It may also be of interest to newer colleagues who are not in substantive teaching posts but who teach and/or support student learning. Introduction to Teaching, 0930 – 1230h, Wednesday 2nd October The session will cover: - Who is the typical ‘LJMU student’. - Tips and techniques to engage students in their learning. - Strategies for creating an inclusive learning environment. - Effective use of Canvas and educational technology to support learning. To book a place and obtain details of the venue, please contact Rachel Boulter: r.m.boulter@ljmu.ac.uk.
> The provision of Canvas non-courses* is being deprecated and fully withdrawn in 12 months in most cases (*not linked to a module).
> You may already have seen the New Assignment Submission Tool that changes the way students submit an assignment in Canvas.
> The International Student Barometer survey for all international students will be taking place in November-December.
Continuing activities within the Science schools
		Our scheme was introduced in January 2024 and peer observation pairings will be confirmed during week 3. Staff self-report their observation to an online form, observations being undertaken by 31^st May 2025. As the scheme is focussed on development and reflective conversations, academics are never paired with their line manager and no external reporting is required (beyond acknowledging participation).
	A reminder that staff can book the handheld printer for printing students’ names on lab coats. A fresh ink cartridge has been purchased and a video guide is available here. Bookings are now via p.denton@ljmu.ac.uk.
	The Faculty has once again purchased annual licences for the BioRender graphics package and both Labster and LearnSci laboratory simulations. A new training resource for Labster is available here. Expected developments in Labster provision are detailed in their roadmap.
Phil Denton, Faculty of Science Associate Dean (Education and Student Experience) Maintained by SCSADE@ljmu.ac.uk. Last Update: 06/04/2024.