Resources
On this page you will find a list of resources on various aspects of using technology to support teaching and learning. If there is a resource you need, but cannot find here, please contact the Blended Learning Unit.
Note that you will need an account on the Telu.me website to access their resources.
All Aboard Week 2017 MIC
All Aboard 2017 was a national week-long series of events led by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning that focused on building confidence in digital skills within and across the community of stakeholders of HEIs. The schedule of events at MIC aimed to build digital skills and capacity for staff, students, primary schools and the general public through on-campus and online Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) workshops, showcases, webinars and case studies.
Understanding Copyright (Seona Stapleton and Áine Finucane)
Who Am I Online? Exploring and Managing your Digital Identity (David Moloney, Deirdre Ryan and Seona Stapleton)
Online Tools for Language Learning (Oisín Ó’Doinn)
Presentation Slides for ‘Online Tools for Language Learning’
Moodle and Turnitin
Moodle is the virtual learning environment at Mary Immaculate College (MIC). It is an interactive and collaborative portal with a number of features and activities designed to support and enhance teaching and learning.
Turnitin is a system which helps lecturers to evaluate the originality of students’ written work and to ensure the proper citation of references. Turnitin is integrated with Moodle.
Moodle Support for MIC Staff: This Moodle page offers resources and information for staff using Moodle at MIC. These resources are created and maintained by the Blended Learning Unit (BLU) at MIC.
Moodle Docs: The user documentation for Moodle, written and maintained by the Moodle Community.
Turnitin Instructor User Manual: The teacher documentation for Turnitin, written and maintained by Turnitin.
‘Teaching with Moodle’ Free Online Course: This free four-week course is designed for anyone who would like to learn how to use Moodle to support their teaching. The course is also a great opportunity to connect with the vibrant Moodle community dedicated to sharing resources, ideas and anything that could help inspire better teaching practices everywhere. The next course begins on 2 January 2017.
Learn Moodle 3.3: A YouTube playlist with videos explaining the basics of Moodle 3.3.
Organisational Tools
Here you will find resources that will help you to plan and organise your blended teaching environment.
T1Step Resources on Organisational Tools: Here you will find videos on how to use organisational tools such as Microsoft ProPlus, OneNote, OneDrive, Diigo bookmarking and other social media tools.
T1Step Resources on MindMapping Tools: Here you will find videos on various mindmapping tools and approaches.
Development Tools
Here you will find resources on developing online teaching and learning resources, such as screencasts, podcasts, and online tutorials.
T1Step Resources on Developing Online/Blended Courses: A selection of videos on topics such as designing blended courses and games-based learning.
T1Step Resources on Creating Podcasts: Some videos illustrating how to record, edit and publish podcasts.
T1Step Resources on Creating Screencasts: Guides on how to use Screencast-O-Matic and Camtasia to create screencasts.
All Aboard Resource on Screencasting: An interactive lesson covering the basics of screencast development.
All Aboard Resource on Podcasting: An interactive lesson on creating podcasts.
All Aboard Introduction to Digital Images: Explore how images and photos can be represented digitally and discover a range of techniques to enhance images.
All Aboard Introduction to Digital Video: Key ideas and practical tips for the production of digital video resources.
Camtasia Studio 8 Tutorials: Tutorials to help you get started with using Camtasia Studio 8.
Finding and Using Resources
This section contains links to information on searching for, selecting, and using Open Educational Resources (OERs).
How to Search More Successfully Online: T1Step resources to help you to improve your online search strategies.
How to Find and Use Open Educational Resources (OERs): Useful links to open courseware.
How to Understand, Use and Apply Digital Copyright: T1Step links to organisations, such as the Copyright Association of Ireland, which provide information on digital copyright.
All Aboard Lesson on Systematic Searching: Learn how to search systematically for information that you might need for research, a literature review, publication, or report. Compiled and written by librarians at the Glucksman Library (UL).
All Aboard Introduction to Digital Research Skills: Learning effective approaches to finding and using information online.
Facilitating Virtual Classes
A virtual classroom is an online teaching and learning environment where teachers and students can deliver and view presentations, interact, and engage with learning resources while working in groups. Many different software applications can be used to support virtual classrooms, including Adobe Connect, Skype, and Google Hangouts. This software may also be referred to as ‘video conferencing’ software.
How to Use Video Conferencing Software: Links to guides on using Skype, Vidyo, Google Hangouts.
Delivering Lectures Online Using Video Chat: A Telu.me online course on using video chat to deliver virtual classes to present information, facilitate group projects, communicate feedback, etc.
Some Tools for Delivering Lectures Online: A Telu.me online course on delivering online lectures using video chat software such as Google Hangouts or Skype or using live lecture systems such as Adobe Connect or Blackboard Collaborate.
Delivering Lectures Online via Live Lecture Systems: A Telu.me online course on using live lecture systems and web conferencing software to facilitate virtual classes to present, share feedback, and facilitate remote students.
Adobe Connect Resources: Contact the Blended Learning Unit (BLU) for information on using Adobe Connect at MIC.
Student Response Systems
There are many ways to gather responses from students. These include dedicated student or classroom response systems, online response systems, and online survey tools. Here you will find some resources to help you get started.
Gathering Real-Time Feedback in the Classroom Using Response Systems: T1Step resources on using the Socrative smart student response system and classroom clickers.
Gathering Student Opinion using Online Surveys: A Telu.me course on using online surveys or survey apps for brainstorming, making decisions, and gathering student opinions.
Online Communication
There are many online communication tools available to help you facilitate synchronous and asynchronous online discussions with your students. Here are some resources to help you understand some of the options available.
Using Moodle Forums: Link to Moodle Docs with instructions and guidance on using Moodle Forums.
All Aboard Lesson Blogging: Understanding the opportunities for education and research afforded by blogging.
Discussion with Students Online using Synchronous Text Chat: A Telu.me resource on using text chat software to facilitate discussions with students to manage coursework, group projects, assessments, etc.
Facilitating Student Collaboration
Group work is now a common feature of studying in higher education. There are many online tools available to facilitate student collaboration on projects and assignments. This section contains resources on some of these tools, including wikis and collaborative mind-mapping applications.
Student Development and Sharing of Resources using Wikis: A Telu.me micro-lesson on how wikis can help with student collaboration.
Creating and Moderating a Wiki: T1Step resources on creating and moderating wikis.
Using Mindmapping Tools: T1Step resources on using mind-mapping tools.
Using Digital Tools for Effective Online Collaboration: T1Step resources on using digital tools, such as Microsoft Yammer and wikis, for collaboration.
ePortfolios
ePortfolios, or electronic portfolios, are emerging as a more authentic and accessible option to traditional paper-based portfolios. This section lists some resources on ePortfolios and their use in higher education.
The ePortfolio Hub: This portal containing lots of resources on ePortfolios is the result of a collaborative project funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
How to use ePortfolios: Some useful links on using ePortfolios, including guides on using the Mahara ePortfolio tool.
Mahara.org: Link to the Mahara homepage. Mahara is an open-source ePortfolio platform used in many higher education institutes.
eAssessment
eAssessment is the use of online technologies to manage and deliver assessment. Tools used can vary from online multiple choice quizzes to online assignment submission and feedback mechanisms.
The Moodle Assignment: The Moodle assignment activity provides a space into which students can submit work for lecturers to grade and give feedback on.
The Moodle Quiz: The Moodle Quiz activity allows lecturers to design and build quizzes using of a large variety of question types, including multiple choice, true-false, short answer and drag and drop images and text.
The Y1Feedback Projectt Website: This portal is packed with resources on enhancing feedback using digital technologies.
Virtual Learning Environments: An All Aboard lesson exploring the potential of VLEs for teaching, learning and assessment.
Flipping the Classroom
The ‘flipped classroom’ is a pedagogical model in which the usual lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed. Students complete video lectures and readings at home before class and class time is then dedicated to discussions and other activities.
How to Flip a Class: T1Step resources on designing and facilitating a flipped classroom
Flipping the Classroom using Screencasting Software: A Telu.me resource illustrating how you can flip the classroom for coursework, group projects, and assessments
Flipping the Classroom using Blogs: A Telu.me resource illustrating how to use blogs to support a flipped classroom approach to teaching.
The Flipped Classroom: An All Aboard lesson exploring the idea of the ‘flipped classroom’ and how it can help to promote more engaged learning in the classroom/lecture theatre.