Ctrl+Alt+Educate: teaching in the digital age

06 Feb 2018

CHERIL conference highlights how technology can transform teaching

Lecturers at the University have been showcasing the exciting technologies and techniques that are transforming teaching on (and off) campus.

At the University’s third CHERIL (Centre for Higher Education Research, Innovation and Learning) Conference last week, everything from virtual reality to live marking was demonstrated as academics presented the technologies which are making a difference to students across the University. 

Around 100 people were in attendance, to hear from keynote speaker, Tony Sheehan, Associate Dean, Digital Learning London Business School. Tony has a particular interest in the design of effective learning in an age of information overload, and actively researches, teaches, facilitates and coaches in areas of knowledge management, technology strategy, e-Learning, ed-tech, social media, and innovation.

There were also several pechakucha sessions where academics demonstrated their own projects in subjects such as designing online learning, providing real-time feedback and assessment in the classroom, designing multi-choice questions and how to create sixty-second skill videos.

The venue was divided into five zones - design, delivery, assessment and feedback, and tools and evaluation. There also were stalls from all three of the University’s Faculty elearning Teams, University of Manchester Worldwide, The Library, CHERIL and Staff Learning and Development.

Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, Professor Clive Agnew said: “The teaching environment is constantly changing as new technologies are developed. It is essential that our teaching staff are not only keeping up, but are given the opportunity to innovate.

“By embracing these developments, staff at Manchester are ensuring that students have the best possible learning experience.”