Services we provide
The Academic Development Unit (ADU) delivers initial and continuing professional development programmes in learning, teaching and assessment in higher education for academic and academic-related staff.
The Unit also contributes to academic development and the implementation of the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy through Periodic Subject Review and Learning and Teaching Development Fund (LTDF) project support, and through work with colleagues in Colleges and Schools offering advice, in-house seminars and workshops, curriculum review and the evaluation of learning and teaching.
The Unit contributes to the Learning and Teaching Centre programme of research seminars and the Annual Learning and Teaching Conference. Staff of the ADU conduct and publish REF returnable scholarship and research.
The Academic Development Unit also encompasses the Student Learning Service.
Comprises learning and technology specialists who combine their technical and educational skills and experience to support the use of technologies to enhance learning and teaching in the University. The Unit is responsible for managing and supporting use of both the University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - Moodle, and the e-Portfolio tool - Mahara. Resources, workshops and consultations are all part of the support available
Provides Help and Advice on:
- on-line course and activity design
- online learning support
- any matters related to the use of technology in learning and teaching
Produces resources to:
- facilitate self-help in adopting a variety of technologies to support learning and teaching
Delivers Workshops on:
- Multimedia use in learning and teaching
- technology facilitated learning and teaching
- how to get started with Moodle (the University's Virtual Learning Environment)
Supports and Develops
- Moodle, the University's Virtual Learning Environment
- interfaces between Moodle and other system tools
Evaluates Developments in:
- technologies for learning and teaching
- how digital technologies impact on finding and managing information
Professional award-winning media production team (formerly Media Services Production & Training) offering innovative and cost effective provision of teaching aids, mixed media, consultancy and training. Full script to screen service from script development to completed programme, plus creative preparation of materials for multi-format delivery. Our aim is to provide a complementary service allowing clients to focus on their core activity whilst we keep them up to date with the latest technology.
Production facilities include top of the range filming and editing crews and equipment, well equipped television studio, sound suite, video transfers between all major professional formats, video encoding, DVD and CD authoring, VHS, CD and DVD duplication, off-air recording and BUFVC programme retrieval.
For further information, please contact:
Kerr Gardiner for programme production work (extension 7117),
Nigel Hutchins for studio hire enquiries/ bookings (extension 6322)
Colin Brierley for duplication/DVD encoding and technical advice (extension 6322)
David Collins for duplication, web file and dvd encoding (2236)
Pam Luthwood for any other Media Production enquiry (extension 8622).
The Student Learning Service (SLS) is part of the Academic Development Unit of the Learning and Teaching Centre and offers advice and guidance on academic skills to all matriculated undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. The SLS aims to enhance students' learning experience by encouraging them to reflect upon and develop their own study strategies to help them in attaining their full academic potential.
The Student Learning Service (SLS) offers one-to-one appointments, in-course sessions and workshops on aspects of learning including time management, note-taking, exam preparation, essay writing and presentation skills.
The SLS also offers advice through NUMBER: Student Mathematical Support to undergraduate students studying school and first year university syllabuses in numeracy, mathematics and statistics.
Further information and contact details for ELAs and the Maths Adviser can be found on the SLS pages.