This brief 2017 summer update and links to existing postings collates some of the information around Learning Technology which may be useful. If you wish to discuss any of the following then please contact the team to arrange a meetup.
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NILE and training Updates
Module and Programme templates now available within NILE for 2017/18 sites
The new upgrade to Turnitin (Feedback Studio) was released on the 1st August
The training schedule until December 2017 is now available
NILE (Blackboard) is being upgraded on Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 August between 16:30 and 04:30 during which time it will be unavailable. This upgrade just moves us to the latest stable release – there are no significant changes to the interface. Work is currently in progress to enable single sign on and a further update will made before the end of August.
There have been a number of updates to Northampton mobile apps as detailed in this blog posting
Rob Howe from the Learntech team was pleased to be able to present the ‘Best NILE site Student Teaching and Representation Awards’
If you have any questions around ‘unusual’ or innovative NILE sessions then please feel free to contact the team to discuss how to best implement these and how the technology can best support you. The team will investigate questions such as the numbers of students and where they are located; what devices students are using and how they are connected; extra support which may be needed to get you up and running and any additional services such as audio / visual which may be required.
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Team Updates
Check out the recent blog posting to see who is who within the Learntech team
The Learning Technology Team are now through to final round of Association of Learning Technology ‘LearnTech Team of of the Year’ awards. The presentation will be in early September where we will find out what we have been awarded.
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Research Updates
Recent research has just been released around student perceptions & experiences of Active Blended Learning [ABL]
Anne Misselbrook and Melanie Cole blog on the benefits of Xerte developments within a Midwifery course
Student survey results provide encouraging evidence for effectiveness of online learning using Xerte e-learning packages
Update on the Learning Styles debate
Final year student Hannah McTaggart showed her appreciation for the technology support which had been provided by Learning Technologist (Education), Belinda Green and presented her with a box of chocolates. Belinda looked forward to sharing them with the rest of her team!

(left to right) Belinda Green and Hannah McTaggart
During 2016, we have welcomed three new staff to the Learning Technology Team and saw one change.
Vicky Brown – Learning Technology Manager
Craig Ball – Project Development Officer (NBS)
Tim Guyett – Learning Technologist (Social Sciences) – Tim was previously the Learning Support Analyst.
Sharon Song – Learning Support Analyst

(left to right) Vicky Brown, Craig Ball and Tim Guyett

Sharon Song
Vicky, Sharon and Tim are based in the Learning Technology Office within Park Library. Craig is based in Cottesbrooke.
The June 2015 roundup of LearnTech news is now available
The latest roundup of LearnTech news is now available
The latest roundup of LearnTech news is now available
The latest roundup of LearnTech news is now available
The latest roundup of LearnTech news is now available
NILE Updates
NILE Upgrade
Between July 21st 3pm BST and July 22nd 3am BST, NILE was upgraded to the latest version.
More details at: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/05/05/nile-summer-upgrade-2013/
Top 5 NILE tips for Summer 2013
If you do nothing else on NILE then please look at the top 5 actions to complete on NILE this summer. More details at:
http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/06/13/top-5-tips-things-to-do-on-nile-for-summer-2013/
NILE Archiving
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 archive have creation dates of 2007 (which includes information dating from as far back as 2003) and 2008. If you notice an old site missing from your NILE listing then please contact us before 6th September. More details at:http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/05/24/old-nile-site-archiving-june-2013/
Planning for 2013/14 NILE sites
Rachel McCart is working with the team to assist academic staff with migrating and setting up NILE sites for the 2013/14 academic year. She is specifically, administrating site copies, merging modules and setting up Turnitin for 13/14 NILE modules – requests for work on modules within the current academic year are being dealt with by the rest of the team.
For more details: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/03/13/201314-nile-site-templates/
NILE Uptime
Did you know that NILE over the past year was available 99.91% of the time (including nights, weekends and all holidays). Remember that you can directly access NILE and bypass the University website by going to http://nile.northampton.ac.uk More details at
http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/06/09/can-nile-ever-be-unavailable/
LearnTech Events
Staff development
Scheduled LearnTech events until December 2013 are now available to view and signup using the links below. More details at:
If you need further development and cannot make one of the scheduled dates (or need the event more urgently) – just get in touch with your LearnTech representative.
SaGE (Submission and Grading Electronically)
10 Steps to SaGE
The most common method of marking online will be using Turnitin. The guidance for this has now been reduced to 10 steps which will form the basis for all staff “SaGE Essential” training sessions. This process is the finalised form which all staff should be aware of when dealing with marking online.
Staff wishing to explore alternative methods of marking online should contact the LearnTech team.
Turnitin iPad app
The new Turnitin iPad app has been made available to download from the App store.
The app allows many of the features that are available on larger devices such as originality report, Grademark, rubrics and audio feedback.
Of particular interest to those having to mark ‘on the move’ is the ability to download papers to mark offline and then resynchronise when reconnecting to the net.
Due to the very small nature of the marking screen, the iPad app should not be used as a primary marking device but may be used to provide some flexibility to those marking whilst travelling.
Review the promotional video to see more on the key features.
Staff should contact their School Learning Technologist for further support and guidance before using the Turnitin app!
Mobile Updates
There is a new release of Blackboard Mobile Learn which should be available to download / update by the end of August. This app will allow mobile access to NILE for both staff and students and is one of the key springboards from iNorthampton in addition to being a useful app in its own right.
iNorthampton is also currently undergoing a revision which will add new functionality to the maps in addition to allowing for in-app updates rather than having to re-download each time. More news once this is ready to release.
Who are your LearnTech contacts ?
The full team list is at: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/info/200309/technology-enhanced-learning/1160/contact-us
The support address for the team for any Learning Technology related issues is LearnTech@northampton.ac.uk
NILE Updates
Top 5 NILE tips for Summer 2013
If you do nothing else then please look at the top 5 actions to complete on NILE this summer. More details at:
http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/06/13/top-5-tips-things-to-do-on-nile-for-summer-2013/
NILE Archiving
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 intend to archive sites that are no longer being actively used. The sites chosen to archive have creation dates of 2007 (which includes information dating from as far back as 2003) and 2008. This process will take place in the last week of June 2013.More details at:http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/05/24/old-nile-site-archiving-june-2013/
Welcome Sites
Welcome sites on NILE are now being created for subject areas to enable applicants to access course details and NILE prior to enrolment. For more details on this then please contact your Student Experience Committee representative for your School or Rob.Howe@northampton.ac.uk
NILE Upgrade
Between July 21st 3pm BST and July 22nd 3am BST, NILE will be upgraded to the latest version. For any issues with timings please contact Rob Howe
More details at: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/05/05/nile-summer-upgrade-2013/
2013/14 NILE sites now available to use
The 2013/14 NILE sites are now available to use and area based on the template discussed at SSECs
More details at: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/03/13/201314-nile-site-templates/
Planning for 2013/14 NILE sites
Rachel McCart is working with the team till July to assist academic staff with migrating and setting up NILE sites for the 2013/14 academic year. She is specifically, administrating site copies, merging modules and setting up Turnitin for 13/14 NILE modules – requests for work on modules within the current academic year are being dealt with by the rest of the team.
For more details: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/03/13/201314-nile-site-templates/
NILE Uptime
Did you know that NILE over the past year was available 99.91% of the time (including nights, weekends and all holidays). Remember that you can directly access NILE and bypass the University website by going to http://nile.northampton.ac.uk More details at
http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/06/09/can-nile-ever-be-unavailable/
LearnTech Events
Social Sciences
On the 15th May, a range of staff from Social Sciences presented some excellent mini case studies on work they have either done or are planning which involved some use of technology. For full details see
http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/05/16/social-sciences-tech-expo-15th-may-2013/
Staff development
Many thanks to all the staff who attended the recent training events provided by the LearnTech team – you are welcome to provide feedback and suggestions for further development to Rob.Howe@northampton.ac.uk. If you need further develpment then do not wait for the next schedule – just get in touch with your LearnTech representative – http://www.northampton.ac.uk/info/200309/technology-enhanced-learning/1160/contact-us
SaGE (Submission and Grading Electronically)
Survey republished
We have relaunched the staff and student surveys via links on the NILE home page to the SaGE surveys for those individuals who did not have a chance to respond last time or have new items to comment on. The links are as follows:
Student Survey
https://survey.northampton.ac.uk/esa-summer2013/
Staff Survey
https://survey.northampton.ac.uk/sage-staff-sumer2013/
Turnitin
What does 0% on a Turnitin Originality report actually mean ? More details at: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/06/04/does-a-0-turnitin-submission-mean-anything/
Mobile Updates
We are currently planning for the next release and will hope to have further details in the next newsletter.
Who are your LearnTech contacts ?
The full team list is at: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/info/200309/technology-enhanced-learning/1160/contact-us
The support address for the team for any Learning Technology related issues is LearnTech@northampton.ac.uk
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