It may be a new year, but not all that much has changed since our last newsletter. Any hopes for a return to business as usual for the second semester have quickly dissipated as the long-term reality of Covid-19 began to settle in, and it looks as if another period of remote learning is inevitable. Thankfully, this month’s newsletter has a variety of voices and tips which will make the upcoming remote semester as beneficial and enjoyable as possible for both students and staff.

Our webinar series is now back in full flow, and you can view our full back catalogue on our redesigned Webinar Series page. If you would like to join the #IUADigED Community and be notified of upcoming webinars, just sign up to our mailing list here. Furthermore, new for 2021 we will now be hosting follow-up conversation sessions the week following our webinars. These informal sessions provide a great platform for community members to discuss the topics raised in the previous webinar. So bring your lunch, tea or coffee and enjoy a discussion with like-minded people on the wide range of topics our webinars cover.

Inclusivity at the Core

NUI Galway EDTL lead Kate Molloy (@hey_km), has been working with the Inclusive Learning project team on a number of initiatives throughout the past year to support inclusive digital teaching and learning.

The National Forum-funded Inclusive Learning project at NUI Galway has aimed to enhance inclusive teaching and learning practice at NUI Galway, in line with the University’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025. Project activities have continued, and even flourished, in the response to moving online… continue reading.

Breaking the (Virtual) Ice

If there is one thing many of us are missing at the moment it is social interaction. One of the greatest challenges of virtual lectures is no doubt trying to create an environment where students want to interact and contribute like they would in a traditional setting. Here, our EDTL Student Interns offer up their advice for lecturers to try and encourage contributions from students in the online environment.

There is a certain sense of camaraderie between students and lectures since we have moved to online learning, no doubt due to the fact that these are new waters for so many of us. Despite this, it can be hard to create a connection when students are just grids on a square… continue reading.

Why I Love Online Learning

Students have had a varied response to online learning so far, with some taking it in their stride and others yearning for the old world of education. One person who has come to love distance learning is our IUA EDTL Student Intern, Ruairi O’Gallchoir, who recounts his positive experiences with online learning.

As colleges kick back into gear for the new year, a lot of people are probably surprised at how little has changed compared to where we are in September in terms of Covid-19. Access to campus is as limited as ever, teaching to even a half-full lecture hall is still a pipe-dream and the idea of students piling into examination centres this May for Semester 2 exams looks very unlikely… continue reading.

In The Thick of It

Lauren Muldowney, our NUIG Student Intern, is currently studying Medicine and in the midst of Covid-19, is facing an environment that not many medical students before her had to face. In this article, Lauren goes through the challenges and opportunities that her work placement offers during these exceptional times.

Studying Medicine during a pandemic has naturally had its challenges. When Covid-19 first hit, students were taken off the wards and final year students graduated early to start working in hospitals. Universities have now adapted to allow us to continue our studies and meet our learning goals. Currently, as a fourth year student my days consist of a mix of clinical placement and online tutorials… continue reading.

New Year, New Resources

As well as contributing to the variety of resources on the EDTL website, the Student Interns also create various resources around the web to help students navigate the world of digital learning. These are some of the resources created recently.

There are so many aspects to online learning that it can sometimes be overwhelming. This is why the Student Interns are constantly working on new resources to make online learning as beneficial and straightforward as possible for students and lecturers alike. Below are some of the resources the student interns have been working on over the last while… continue reading.