Online Digital Learning Drop-In Sessions

We remain fully committed to doing everything we can to support colleagues with transitioning their teaching and learning online. Our Digital Learning Drop-In sessions have proven very popular, with approximately 70 staff coming to see us since Monday 16th March.

As of Monday 23rd March, we will cease offering our ‘in-person’ Digital Learning Drop-In sessions on campus and instead switch to an online offer, facilitated through Microsoft Teams.

This has numerous benefits; it enables us to be more flexible in terms of timing – we’re able to offer the ‘drop in’ support over a larger percentage of the working day (versus the one-hour timeslots for the in-person offer). Additionally, staff will be able to access ‘drop in’ support quicker, not having to wait until a timetabled slot each day.

How will this work?

We will offer 30 minute bookable slots with a Principal Lecturer, Digital Learning Developer or Online Learning Designer. The process to access an ‘online drop in’ is as follows:

1. Staff wishing to access an ‘online drop in’ will email elearning@tees.ac.uk, providing us with:
   1. The theme of the request (what you need help with).
   2. Your availability (we’d ask that you give us at least a one-hour window during which you’d be available for a ‘drop-in’).
2. A Principal Lecturer, Digital Learning Developer or Online Learning Designer will schedule a 30 minute Microsoft Teams Meeting.
3. You will receive an invitation (as you would with a meeting arranged through Outlook) with a link through which you join the meeting at the appropriate time.

Do I need any special software or equipment?

All you’ll need is a device on which you can access Microsoft Teams, some way of listening (headphones or speakers) and some way of talking (a microphone):

• Almost all of our Academic staff now have iPads (with inbuilt speakers and microphone) with Microsoft Teams installed as a result of attending the Future Facing Learning Digital Development Programme.
• If you don’t have an iPad, Teams can be accessed through a web browser (https://teams.microsoft.com) and is also available for download on Windows, macOS and Android.
• Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are the preferred browsers to use Microsoft Teams in a web browser.
• If you’re using your own personal computer remember that you’ll also need a microphone (many laptops have them built in) and headphones. Speakers will work but headphones are preferred.

What if I don’t have the necessary equipment or don’t feel comfortable using MS Teams?

Don’t worry – we will still be responding to all support queries sent to elearning@tees.ac.uk – the drop-ins are simply to offer an alternative method of receiving bespoke support quickly. We’re also continuing to build on the support resources available via LTE Online (https://blogs.tees.ac.uk/lteonline/digital-delivery-learning-and-support/) and continue to share daily blog posts and Tweets (@TeesUniLTE) with hints and tips to help you.

What about other CPD Sessions LTE offer?

The Future Facing Learning Digital Development Programme will be postponed, but the daily blog posts/Tweets will share lots of useful content.

The Learning, Teaching and Assessment drop-in sessions will cease on campus from week commencing Monday 23rd March but we are still very much around to support you in any general queries you have around Learning, Teaching and Assessment through the mechanism above.

We are currently reviewing our remaining CPD offer (including ‘Personal Tutoring through StREAM’ and ‘iPad Coaching sessions’) to determine the feasibility of offering online alternatives. Updates will be provided through LTE Online as and when available.

Please note there are a number of resources available here on LTE Online and you will find regular blog posts around a range of learning and teaching areas. If you are not subscribed to LTE online please do so by entering your email address and clicking subscribe in Subscribe box on this page.