All sessions have now been mapped to the UK Professional Skills Framework as attendees may include these as evidence for Fellowship applications or ongoing professional development. The NILE Suite has been used to group related sessions together. Where relevant the events have also been mapped to the developing quality standards for NILE sites.

The list below represents the scheduled sessions however they can be run as a bespoke session for three or more staff at any mutually convenient time. All sessions will be run in the Park Library T-Pod (1st Floor) unless stated.

Menu of sessions available:

• Enhancing NILE content using Xerte
• Virtual Classrooms using WizIQ
• Enhancing NILE with media for asynchronous learners
• NILE – Grade Everything (Managing multiple elements in assessment. Marking presentations / live performances)
• The App Cafe
• SaGE Essentials
• SaGE – Providing quality feedback using rubrics
• Managing Groups (and group assignments)
• NILE Essentials – Making the most of your NILE site
• NILE – Encouraging collaboration and NILE interaction using Blogs, Discussion Boards, Journals and Wikis
• NILE – Developing formative assessments in NILE
• Making best use of smartboards
• Increasing in class session interaction using the voting handsets

SaGE Essentials

(Link to the UK PSF – A3, K4)

NILE Suite Alignment: Assessment

This essential session is for both staff who are new to the Submission and Grading Electronically (SaGE) Project and those who need a refresher on the current process. The event will cover the SaGE workflow including marking in Turnitin; passing grades to the NILE grade centre; downloading grades to send to the SATs; and working with the External Examiner. (12 places).

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Foundation Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the SaGE workflow
• Able to grade work

Date (s)	Time
20/10/14	2-4
21/10/14	2-4
22/10/14	10-12
23/10/14	2-4 (Note this is at Avenue)
24/10/14	2-4
5/11/14	2-4
10/11/14	2-4
20/11/14	10-12

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sage-essentials-tickets-12952281623 for Park based sessions

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sage-essentials-tickets-12952410007 for the 23rd October at Avenue Library (MG8a)

 

SaGE – Providing quality feedback using rubrics

(Link to the UK PSF – A3, K4, V2)

NILE Suite Alignment: Assessment

A dedicated session for those who have already attended the SaGE Essentials session and are confident with the basic SaGE workflow. The event will focus on both Turnitin and NILE rubrics. Rubrics are useful for various styles of marking and can be used for qualitative and quantitative feedback. (12 places).

Learning outcomes:

• Able to setup and use rubrics

Date (s)	Time
6/11/14	10-12

 Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sage-providing-quality-feedback-using-rubrics-tickets-12952470187

Managing Groups (and group assignments)

(Link to the UK PSF – A3, K4, V1)

NILE Suite Alignment: Assessment / Collaboration

Regardless of the size of the cohort, the ability to manage groups is an important part of using NILE. Groups allow focused activity, assessment and communication which will enhance student engagement. In addition to learning about the setup and management of groups you will also focus on the NILE assignment submission area which may be used as an alternative to Turnitin submissions. (12 places).

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Collaboration Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand how to setup and organise groups
• Appreciate the range of functionality with groups
• Understand how the NILE assignment submission area may be used with groups

Date (s)	Time
14/11/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-groups-and-group-assignments-tickets-12952494259

NILE Essentials – Making the most of your NILE site

(Link to the UK PSF – A4, K4, V2)

NILE Suite Alignment: Content / Management

This session will introduce the NILE sites which are being used for all module and course areas. Find out the Top Ten most common mistakes with existing NILE sites and how to avoid them to improve the student experience. Attendees will develop confidence with working in their NILE area to add new and exciting content. (12 places).

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Foundation Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning Outcomes:

• Appreciate the range of NILE sites and comon student problems with finding content
• Reflect on your own NILE site based on areas for improvement
• Understand the range of tools to enhance NILE sites

Date (s)	Time
16/10/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nile-essentials-making-the-most-of-your-nile-site-tickets-12952514319

NILE – Encouraging collaboration and NILE interaction using Blogs, Discussion Boards, Journals and Wikis

(Link to the UK PSF – A2, K2, V1)

NILE Suite Alignment: Collaboration

This session will allow participants to explore the Blogs, Journals, Discussion Boards and Wikis tools inside NILE which encourage greater collaboration. (12 places).

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Collaboration Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the range of tools available to enhance collaboration within NILE sites

Date (s)	Time
28/10/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nile-encouraging-collaboration-and-nile-interaction-using-blogs-discussion-boards-journals-and-wikis-tickets-12952524349

NILE – Developing formative assessments in NILE

(Link to the UK PSF – A3, K4)

NILE Suite Alignment: Assessment

Formative assessment may be used by students to better track their progress and understanding. It may also be used by tutors to ensure that students are engaging and understanding the course material. This session will explore the test, survey and question pool tools within NILE. There is a range of functionality which provides the option of auto marked formative (and summative assessment) with question choices like multiple choice and fill in the blanks. These tools may be used with features such as adaptive release and the performance dashboard to allow greater student interaction with content and a higher level of tutor understanding of student engagement. (12 places).

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Participation Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding of the range and value of formative assessment
• Appreciate the tools which may be used within formative assessment
• Ability to implement range of appropriate tools within their own course

Date (s)	Time
17/11/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nile-developing-formative-assessments-in-nile-tickets-12952556445

NILE – Grade Everything (Managing multiple elements in assessment. Marking presentations / live performances)

(Link to the UK PSF – K4, K5)

NILE Suite Alignment: Assessment

This session will explore the NILE Grade Centre where all grades created by students within NILE are held and managed. In addition to being the link between NILE and the Student Record System, this tool allows you to manage the student view of grades, collate grades between assignments (SmartViews) and manage grades and feedback on physical artifacts and performances/presentations. (12 places).

Learning Outcomes:

• Appreciate the functionality available within the Grade Centre
• Understand how the Grade Centre may be used with performances/presentations.

Date (s)	Time
11/12/14	10-12

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nile-grade-everything-tickets-12952578511

Enhancing NILE with media for asynchronous learners

(Link to the UK PSF – A2, K2, K4)

NILE Suite Alignment: Content

During this session you will be able to bring along your own ideas for small videos and produce these during the session. Following a short introduction to a range of tools this practical session will encourage you to use these to create material which may be used within existing and planned courses. (12 places).

You will be able to use material which you create within this session within Welcome Sites for new students.

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Foundation and Participation Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning Outcomes:

• Appreciate the range of tools for asynchronous learners
• Ability to implement tools within their own NILE site.

Date (s)	Time
15/12/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/enhancing-nile-with-media-for-asynchronous-learners-tickets-12952606595

 

The App Cafe

(Link to the UK PSF – A2, K2, V2)

NILE Suite Alignment: Content / Collaboration

With more and more people accessing the internet via mobile devices, The App Cafe provides an opportunity to look at the implications of mobile devices and apps in HE and how we can better use them in learning and teaching.

We want to hear from you. This is a participative ‘by you, for you’ event with an opportunity each month to share the apps you already use in the classroom with fellow staff across all disciplines.

With take-aways like ‘Your 5-a-month’ (top apps for learning and teaching), coffee and even cake, this is one lunchtime event in LLS you shouldn’t miss.

First Monday of every month (excluding bank holidays)

 

Date (s)	Time
6/10/14	1-2
3/11/14	1-2
1/12/14	1-2

Register on:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-app-cafe-tickets-12952837285

 

Enhancing NILE content using Xerte

(Link to the UK PSF – A2, K2, V2)

NILE Suite Alignment: Content

Xerte is a great alternative to PowerPoint or Word to enhance basic content in your NILE sites

Xerte can provide rich information and interaction for learners at all levels. You can have a look at an example of material produced in Xerte at: https://xerte.northampton.ac.uk/xertetoolkits/play.php?template_id=118

(12 places).

Learning Outcomes:

• Ability to confidently use Xerte

Date (s)	Time
12/12/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/enhancing-nile-content-using-xerte-tickets-12952921537

Virtual Classrooms using WizIQ

(Link to the UK PSF – A2, K2, V2)

NILE Suite Alignment: Collaboration

WizIQ is an online learning platform / classroom fully integrated into NILE. The rooms are designed to provide an online virtual classroom learning environment to supplement synchronous online activity. (12 places).

Attendance at this session will assist engagement with the Collaboration Quality Standard for NILE sites.

Learning Outcomes:

• Ability to confidently use WizIQ

Date (s)	Time
4/11/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-classrooms-using-wiziq-tickets-12953078005

Making best use of smartboards

(Link to the UK PSF – A2,K2,K4)

NILE Suite Alignment: Content

Many opportunities now exist to increase the amount of student interaction within traditional lectures. Smartboards are located in many of the teaching spaces but are often only used to display PowerPoints. This event will introduce the range of tools which allow the Smartboard to ‘come alive’. This event will provide practical experience on using these tools. (12 places).

Learning Outcomes:

• Ability to confidently use the Smartboard

Date (s)	Time
18/11/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-best-use-of-smartboards-tickets-12952642703

Increasing in class session interaction using the voting handsets

(Link to the UK PSF – A2, K2, V2)

NILE Suite Alignment: Content / Collaboration

Many opportunities now exist to increase the amount of student interaction within traditional lectures. Voting handsets may be used to increase the amount of feedback students provide within sessions. This event will provide practical experience on using these tools. (12 places).

Learning Outcomes:

• Ability to confidently use the voting handsets

Date (s)	Time
2/12/14	2-4

Register on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/increasing-in-class-session-interaction-using-the-voting-handsets-tickets-12952680817

All of the sessions above and a number of other sessions listed below are also available on request for bespoke events (such as for Subject group training). Please contact your Learning Technologist or mail LearnTech@northampton.ac.uk for details on arranging these.

 

We have updated the service updates link on the NILE welcome page – if you have issues out of hours with NILE this should highlight any problems.

For entries containing the word ‘Link’, the check is a very basic one – does the URL respond with an ‘OK’ status? For all the others an attempt is made to read data from the provider’s service status and give a little more detail. As these vary and this application is new, errors are possible (likely!). There are links to the provider’s feed if this application fails.

If you have any more systems you’d like to be included in a link or better check, please let us know.

NILE was upgraded over the weekend of 16th & 17th August to version 9.1 April 2014. This introduced several new features, the highlights of which are below:

Student Preview

 

The new Student Preview feature provides Tutors with the capability to see the course exactly how a student would by easily transitioning into and out of a new preview feature.

A new Student Preview button appears in the top right-hand corner of the breadcrumb bar next to the Course Themes and Edit Mode buttons, shaped like an eye.

While in Student Preview mode tutors can interact with the course as if they were a student, including taking quizzes/tests, submitting assignments, posting to forums, posting to blogs, etc.

Upon returning back to the Tutor view any results created while in the preview mode can be retained to allow you to see results– or deleted straight away.

Read more about the Student Preview

 

Groups Management

 

Creating groups within NILE, whether small or large, and managing them is now easier. You can choose the students you want to add to a group as well as distinguish among them by viewing their picture and Profile Card. Once a group is created, adding and removing members is just as easy.

Read more about Groups management

 

Grade Centre Smart Views

 

When you create a group, you can now simply click a button to create a Smart View in the Grade Centre that corresponds to that group. A Smart View is a focused look at the Grade Centre that is saved for continued use. You can also create and access a group’s Smart View directly from the “All Groups” management page.

Read more about Grade Centre Smart Views

 

My Grades

 

The My Grades area where students view their results and feedback has been updated with a new look.

• The presentation of results can be organised – by last activity or due date.
• The “All,” “Graded,” “Upcoming,” and “Submitted” filters allowing students to narrow down the number of rows they see
• The text size and row spacing have been reduced so more information is displayed on the page
• Feedback is included in-line, so students don’t need to click away to view it.

 

More information on all of the new features

Northampton was previously on Blackboard 9.1 service pack 13 and was upgraded to the April 2014 release. This version moved us two releases above our previous point. (SP14 and April 2014 releases). You can see all the new features which were added as part of the SP14 upgrade and the April 2014 upgrade.

All users of NILE should ensure that browsers are updated to keep within the supported levels.

We hope that you appreciate the new and improved functionality.

 

An old problem that we hadn’t seen for a long time resurfaced on a couple of course sites last week and – as it is the season for NILE site preparation – may come back to haunt lecturers.

When re-organising your menu on the left of the site, menu items (including dividers and subheadings) begin to refuse to stay where they have been moved to. The symptoms are sometimes not immediately obvious if only one menu item is changed, but as soon as the screen is refreshed the problem is clear.

 

It appears that the Blackboard system can end up with duplicate identifying numbers for menu items when items have been moved around and this can’t be corrected using the drag and drop editor.

The solution is right in front of our eyes, but rarely used. There is an ‘up/down arrow’ icon at the top of the menu when in edit mode – this is the accessible method of re-ordering items. Select the item you want to move and use the arrows to position it. If you alter the ‘bad’ items, this appears to fix the identifying number duplication so you may be able to revert to drag and drop once you’ve used this tool.

LearnTech are actively managing the space allocated to us by Blackboard for the NILE system to avoid any unnecessary subscription charges. As we have material on the system which dates back several years, we have archived sites that are no longer being actively used. The sites chosen to archived have creation dates prior to 1st April 2010.

There may be files that tutors and staff still wish to retain or sites that are still in use, so a list of courses concerned are linked  to the bottom of this post. The file should open with Acrobat reader, which is installed on all PCs. You should should use ‘Ctrl-F’ and search for your course ID (e.g. 3DD1047)

We would like to emphasize that we are archiving, not deleting, so sites and files can be recovered at a later date if necessary. Any sites which were requested to be exempted from the process in 2013 will be unaffected – instructors on these sites will be asked to review them again in 2015 for possible inclusion in next year’s archiving process.

Instructor / Course list for sites scheduled for archiving:

Instructors & courses earlier than 1st April 2010