2013

LEARNING RESOURCES

INTR

ODUC

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, CON

TENT

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WELCOME

Welcome to the Spring edition of Update, the Learning Resources newsletter. We have sections on the library and iPoints, e-Learning and Teaching Aids. If you have any suggestions for inclusion in the next newsletter, please contact the relevant team:

Library: 01384 363353 e-Learning: 01384 363583/3160

iPoint: 01384 363374 Teaching Aids: 01384 363211

@DCTLibrary

CONTENTS

2 - Introduction, Contents and HE

3 - New Library Stock

4 - Reading Lists

5 - Book a Computer

6 - BlackBoard Benchmarking

7 - Teaching Aids

USEFUL HE STUDENT INFORMATION

Having trouble correctly referencing your assignments? Did you know the library offers Harvard Referencing sessions? Sessions usually last an hour and cover plagiarism, referencing and bibliographies. Ask you tutor to book a session for your class or pop into the library and ask for Beth who will provide individual help if you’re just unsure of a couple of aspects of referencing.

Help yourselves to our Harvard Referencing leaflets!

LEARNING RESOURCES

NEW

LIB

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New books in the library

Here’s a selection of new books recently added to the library shelves. Click the pictures to find out if they’re available to borrow now:

LEARNING RESOURCES

READ

ING

LIST

S New on the catalogue: Reading Lists

Want to know where to find books recommended by your lecturers? You can now find Reading Lists on the library catalogue. Here’s how:

1. Go to www.dudley.ac.uk and click the library button.

2. Scroll down to News and Information and click the reading lists link.

3. Find your subject on the list and click the relevant link.

4. You will see a list of books recommended by your lecturer. Click the titles to find out what’s available to borrow now.

We need your help...we need your help...we need your help...we need your

Can’t see your course? Ask your lecturers to send reading lists to the library or let us have a copy of yours!

LEARNING RESOURCES

BOOK

A C

OMPU

TER

Fed up with missing out on computers in the library, iPoints or The Hub? There is a better way! Follow our instructions to book yourself a computer to avoid queues during busy times.

1. Go to www.dudley.ac.uk and click the iPoint button. Computers in the library and The Hub can also be booked here.

2. Click on Netloan near the top of the screen.

3. Log in to Netloan with your username and password, as you would to log onto a computer in college.

4. Click “Reservation Wizard” at the top of the screen and select your site. Now enter your student number.

5. Select the section of the computer you would like to book, as well as start time and date.

6. Now select the computer you wish to book.

Check the details and click submit.

Your booking should now be confirmed.

You can book computers up to 8 days in advance and make 5 bookings in a week. Please arrive on time for your slot as it will be automatically cancelled if you are more than 15 minutes late. If you miss more than 3 slots, your booking rights will be taken away from you.

LEARNING RESOURCES

BLAC

KBOA

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Information for staff...information for staff...information for staff...information BlackBoard Benchmarking So, you have received your Blackboard Benchmarking results – what do they mean? We want to you use blackboard creatively and confidently with students so, in order to gauge how you are doing with this, we introduced BlackBoard benchmarking. As part of this process, you receive 2 grades for each Blackboard course. One is for “Content”, the other is for “Student Usage”. A breakdown of these is below:

CONTENT RATING

Starter – There are no content tools being used.

Bronze – There are content tools being used.

Silver – There are some assessment or collaborative tools being used.

Gold – There are content, assessment and collaborative tool being used.

Content tools are files, items, YouTube clips and videos etc.

Assessment tools are assignments, safe assignments, tests and surveys etc.

Collaborative tools are journals, wikis, blogs and discussion boards etc.

By using a variety of these tools, you will be able to interact with students on many different levels, making their online experience more exciting and relevant.

STUDENT USAGE

Starter – Students are accessing the course every 2/3 weeks.

Bronze – Students are accessing the course about once a week.

Silver – Students are accessing the course around 2/3 times a week.

Gold – Students are accessing the course once a day or more.

The measurement is taken from September 2013 – December 2013 – the period of the benchmarking. It gives you an idea on how often your students are accessing your course area. Of course, by placing all assignments on Blackboard or making a discussion board homework, your students will engage with the system more.

If you have any further queries about Blackboard Benchmarking, please contact the e-Learning Mentors on ext. 3583 or ext. 3160.

LEARNING RESOURCES

TEAC

HING

AID

S Information for staff...information for staff...information for staff...information for staff... Television Recording

Did you know that you can request TV programme recordings from the vast range of channels on the Sky HD platform? Teaching aids can record single programmes or an entire series then burn them to DVD for you to use in the classroom at your convenience.

It’s really easy to do! Just contact Teaching Aids with the programme time/date/channel and we’ll do the rest.

Your Backup Photocopier

Everyone should have access to at least one copier and a backup device to enable you to carry on printing in the event of a breakdown. If you are unsure which is your back up device please contact Teaching Aids and we will be only too pleased to inform you.

Just a reminder that if you would like to know how many copies you have done from your monthly allocation, please email teaching.aids@dudleycol.ac.uk at any time requesting an update.

Booking Evolve Theatre If you need to book the Theatre at Evolve for an event, show, lecture etc and you think may require technical assistance from Teaching Aids, please contact David Malone - Head of Performance Studies - in the first instance. David will assess your requirements and will then advise you whether you need to liaise with ourselves in Teaching Aids and we will then be only too pleased to assist you.

If you require any further advice or guidance on the above or anything else regarding Teaching Aids services please don’t hesitate to contact Teaching Aids staff on extension 3211.