Notes from the DLF meeting on 25 September 2018

Sofia Skevofylaka and Stewart Squire of DUSA gave a short presentation about what the Students’ Association does for students in general, including DL students.  See separate blog posting about this input.

Hamish Loveday of CTIL spoke to us on the topic ‘My Dundee: Change is coming’

Blackboard SaaS (software as a service) is moving My Dundee into the cloud.  Hamish demonstrated some of the different utilities which will be available on My Dundee from January and agreed to come back to the DLF later in the session to keep us fully in the picture about developments.

Lynne Loveday of Robert Gordon University presented on the topic: ‘supporting distance learning’ and told attendees all about her job, leading the Study Skills Team, part of DELTA (department for the enhancement of learning, teaching and access) at RGU.

Lynne showed us the DELTA Study Skills moodle site – which looked beautifully designed and inviting – and some of the resources within it. There were some questions and discussion and this input gave us all food for thought.

Linda Martindale will be standing down from her role as Co-Convenor of the DLF this session.  She has been brilliant to work with and we are very pleased she will continue to contribute to our events as a member.

September’s meeting finished off with Susie Schofield giving an impromptu input outlining her new role as Academic Lead for Distance and Blended Learning.  She will be focused on raising awareness about DL, working with services to put distance at the centre, not just an ‘also ran’; she will look at areas which can grow and areas where DL doesn’t already happen.  We in the Distance Learning Forum expect to hear a lot more from Susie, particularly as she has since agreed to take on the vacant role of DLF Co-Convenor.

Aileen