UFV Teaching and Learning Blog
Learning and Sharing
A story about being well Normally, the end of the semester and the nearing of winter break would mean a relief for many instructors. Yet, this year, what I hear and observe instead are concerns and scheduling of more meetings to better prepare for the year ahead. It would be a lie if I told … Read more
Padlet is a great tool for any course Tired of discussion forums? Looking for asynchronous interactions that are more visual and interactive? Maybe it is time for you to consider introducing Padlet into your courses. Discussion forums are presented to students in a linear fashion – requiring students to click on each thread to … Read more
Blackboard Ally is making course content accessible. Blackboard Ally is a new exciting feature that provides alternative accessibility formats for both students and instructors. In addition to providing you with insight to your content accessibility, Ally automatically creates … Read more
So it’s the middle of the semester. It’s that time when mid-terms are happening and the first major assignments are being submitted. But as the instructor you’re not quite sure how things are going for your students. You’ve noticed that participation in synchronous sessions has dropped off and the interaction in asynchronous activities has become … Read more
This summer consisted of a lot of new challenges for me (and most people I presume); living through a pandemic has not been easy, despite my own intersecting privileges, such as having a roof over my head and job security, to name a couple. One challenge, what I would later see as an opportunity, was … Read more
Tech Highlight Introducing Blackboard Ally UFV has brought on Blackboard Ally in order to help instructors create accessible content for students to access. What does Ally do? Blackboard Ally works seamlessly with Blackboard Learn to gauge the accessibility of your course content. Ally provides guidance and tips for lasting improvements to your content accessibility.In addition … Read more
Here are some things to keep in mind this term: Students are at-risk of dropping out of school or your course We know that balancing life, academic and financial commitments can be challenging for students at the best of times. Add a major disruption or crisis like we are currently experiencing, and more students may … Read more
Not unexpectedly, September was a very busy and important time to work with faculty and their online courses. Teaching and Learning staff and faculty answered a whopping 938 emails, facilitated 56 workshops, completed 30 course reviews through the Check Under the Hood program, and conducted 235 one-on-one consultations with faculty. It is a testament to the … Read more
UFV Learning Designers (from left to right) Soowook Kim, Ken Harmel and Dugg Steary My name is Paige Riddell and I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student at UFV. I am also a peer tutor at UFV’s Academic Success Centre! I wanted to thank you and the Teaching and Learning Centre team for really … Read more
An ADED instructor, Douglas Mauger, sent an in-depth and thought provoking article to our department on how students are distracted by the use of tech in the classroom vs. how instructors see it being used. The article, A Mixed Blessing? Students’ and Instructors’ Perspectives about Off-Task Technology Use in the Academic Classroom states that “There … Read more