Introducing the new University Education Development Fund

University Education Development Fund with a picture of Professor Suzanne Cholerton

Do you have an idea that could have an impact on students’ learning or teaching across the university?

Did you know that there is central funding available to support both local and institution-wide initiatives and projects?

The new University Education Development Fund offers a fantastic opportunity to propose and deliver projects with real benefit to students’ education at Newcastle University.

Envisioned and chaired by the PVC Education Prof Suzanne Cholerton this fund will support a wide range of projects from across all campuses and is open to all staff to apply.

Proposed projects must align with and further the aims and key themes of the Education Strategy.

Funding is available of: Continue reading “Introducing the new University Education Development Fund”

National Teaching Fellowship / Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence 2019

The Higher Education Academy’s National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates excellent practice and outstanding achievement in learning and teaching in higher education. The awards support individuals’ professional development in learning and teaching and provides a national focus for institutional teaching and learning excellence schemes.

The Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence Awards recognising outstanding collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching.

More details about the scheme can be found on the HEA’s website.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the University process to determine the institutional nominees to the 2019 National Teaching Fellowship Scheme / Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence scheme.

Application to be an institutional nominee

Nominations are welcomed from all members of staff who feel their work has a major, positive impact on student teaching and learning. Staff who would like to be considered should provide a maximum of 1000 words which address the following criteria.

    • Your personal practice and why this should be recognised as outstanding,
    • Your impact on colleagues, both internally and externally,
    • Your reflection on the above.

Nominations should be sent electronically to ltds@ncl.ac.uk by 12 noon on Friday the 9th of November 2018.

LTDS has developed a workshop that outlines the scheme and helps you consider whether you are ready to apply for the National Teaching Fellowship scheme. The workshop will take place on 17 October 2018, 12:30- 1:30 pm. Book your place now.

View the LTDS website for more information.

Small-scale ‘experimental’ innovation projects: Dissemination event

Date: Monday 10 December 2018

Location: London

This  Office for Students event is open to those in the higher education sector and will showcase 67 small-scale ‘experimental’ innovation projects in learning and teaching

See more details and register: www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/events/small-scale-experimental-innovation-projects-dissemination-event/

University Strategy Launch 1st October: Technology Enhanced Learning Roadmap

Join us on the 1st October, 1pm-2pm to  hear more about the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)  Roadmap. This session will be delivered by Professor Suzanne Cholerton, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education and is part of  an exciting programme of events in place to launch the Newcastle University Vision and Strategy.

An educational experience supported and enhanced by technology is one of the 4 key themes in the Newcastle University Education Strategy and this session will provide an opportunity for you to hear about plans  to support TEL across the University. This will involve investment to support Schools to deliver educational experiences that enable students to fulfill their potential. There will also be a chance to hear some of the great  work that is already taking place.

Sign up here where you can also view a range of the other sessions that are taking place as part of the launch event.

Advance HE: 15% off selected Programmes, Conferences and Events

Advance HE offer a number of Programmes and Events over the course of the Academic year. They are offering a 15% early bird discount on a selection of these events for attendees who sign up before the 30th September 2018.

There are opportunities relating to :

Leadership, Governance and Management Programmes

Teaching and Learning Programmes, Conferences and Events

Full details are available on the Advance HE Website

Interested in learning how to publish in the field of learning and teaching? HaSS Faculty event

Academic staff on T&S contracts in the HaSS Faculty may be interested in attending the first in a series of events aimed at those wanting to publish in the field of learning and teaching (one of the HaSS Faculty definitions of scholarship).

The first event is on 12th September from 12-3pm.

More details are on the  event advert.

Please use this online form either to sign up to attend the first event or to express interest in attending future events in the series https://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=2585217

Please do also let other interested colleagues know about the event.

The Year Abroad Conference 2018: Still time to register

Are you  involved in the  preparation, support, management, organisation or assessment of the Year Abroad?

Register for the Year Abroad Conference which will take place on 14th September 2018 at Newcastle University.

This is a unique opportunity to meet colleagues working in this area to share ideas and expertise. A number of topics will be covered including mental health, assessment, employability and more. Please take a look at the full programme here.

The conference is organised by Newcastle University School of Modern Languages, in collaboration with colleagues from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Warwick.

The deadline for registration is 26th August 2018. To find out more and to register please visit The Year Abroad Conference Website.  If you can’t attend the whole day but would be particularly interested in one or two sessions, please do get in touch with the conference organisers Sandra Salin or Damien Hall.

Make your learning and teaching resources more inclusive – two free online courses

Home Office poster on inclusive design.
Inclusive design is better for everyone.

Following on from the interest shown in a session, run by Ruth Graham and Sandy Alden, at the 2018 Learning and Teaching Conference, on designing inclusive learning, you can now sign up for two free online courses.

Inclusive Learning and Teaching Environments and Digital Accessibility: Enabling Participation in the Information Society are both from the University of Southampton.

Inclusive Learning and Teaching Environments runs from Sept 3rd for three weeks and is specifically for those working in Higher Education and interested in making elearning accessible to all.

Explore the barriers experienced by disabled students and learn how to overcome these barriers through inclusive practices.

Digital Accessibility: Enabling Participation in the Information Society runs from Oct 8th for five weeks, and has 8 universities discussing different aspects of digital technologies and accessibility from the developer and user’s point of view. It features case studies, new technologies and the latest news about legal standards and guidelines for web, mobile, documents, IoT etc. When there is:

“a better understanding of users’ needs, technologies can be developed to be accessible & provide a more inclusive environment”

Both courses are free, and offer practical hints and tips you can use straight away to make your own resources more inclusive.