# data[].attributes.headline
Guest speakers from around the world (via zoom)

# data[].attributes.subject
Guest speakers from around the world (via zoom)

# data[].attributes.headline
Lots of hierarchy within the institution went. It was a bumpy ride, but it made policy and actual teaching come much closer together. That direct feedback to the policy level has really helped us change faster (so much faster and perhaps more inform by realism). There are downsides to it, without a doubt, but some upsides!

# data[].attributes.subject
Lots of hierarchy within the institution went. It was a bumpy ride, but it made policy and actual teaching come much closer together. That direct feedback to the policy level has really helped us change faster (so much faster and perhaps more inform by realism). There are downsides to it, without a doubt, but some upsides!

# data[].attributes.body
Improving the quality of experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Exploring the potential for AR/VR to enhance and extend digital learning experience for staff and students.

# data[].attributes.headline
remote working for more staff some of the time but making better and more purposeful about in person time

# data[].attributes.subject
remote working for more staff some of the time but making better and more purposeful about in person time

# data[].attributes.body
For academic continuity we developed models of practice. Whilst not always able to match the experience of in person sessions in emergency response these were essential sessions.

Wellbeing support became a key part of these sessions when the isolation of lock downs kicked in.

Now in the access in case of emergencies shelf!

# data[].attributes.headline
Diversity of online systems had to be addressed. Students simply got lost between systems, so we had to move back to single systems for delivery (controversial though!)

# data[].attributes.subject
Diversity of online systems had to be addressed. Students simply got lost between systems, so we had to move back to single systems for delivery (controversial though!)

# data[].attributes.headline
short check in sessions with students online

# data[].attributes.subject
short check in sessions with students online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The virtual children's nursery. Image: University of Northampton

Students who saw their placements in schools and nurseries cancelled by Covid-19 have been gifted a virtual solution by their peers at the University of Northampton.

An integral part of Early Years teaching students' training at the University is spending several weeks a year putting what they've learnt into practice in the real world.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, all placements in nurseries, pre-schools, primary and special education needs schools had to be scrapped.

But, all was not lost after a group of eight students from the University's Games courses answered the call for help from Head of Early Years, Dr Eunice Lumsden.

They burnt the midnight oil to create a virtual reality version of a pre-school, which allows the Early Years students to safely explore and identify hazards in a simulated environment - take a look at the virtual world flythrough video.

"When I had the first glimpse of the virtual environment it was incredible to see what the students had achieved from the initial brief," said Early Years Lecturer, Devon Rossetti.

"There's been a lot of frustration with them not being able to take part in work placements, so this will help to alleviate some of that frustration.

"Both our first and second-year students on the Early Childhood programme are unable to complete a practical placement in the current climate. A virtual environment will enable them to experience practice in an innovative way."

Devon added: "The students are due to start using the virtual setting in the New Year, and I really hope they engage with it as much as myself and my colleagues have done."

Iain Douglas, Senior Lecturer in Games Art, was impressed with the Games students' commitment to the project.

He said: "When the opportunity to work on something fun and helpful arose, the students from the Games Design, Art and Programming courses jumped at it. They were a dedicated team and for five weeks worked solidly - sometimes late into the night - to get the virtual environment up and running for the beginning of the academic year. It wasn't just an excellent CV-building opportunity for them, it was a labour of love - they were really motivated by helping their peers on other courses and I'm so proud of their efforts."

The students who created the virtual environment were: second-year designer Serena Green; third-year artists William Marshall, Wednesday Garrett and William Adelaide-Essex; second-year artist Thomas Mew Myatt; graduate artists Reece Bowey, Cameron Torrie and graduate programmer Bartosz Bielinski.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gaming experts give University of Northampton students virtual help after work placements are cancelled

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The virtual children's nursery. Image: University of Northampton Students who saw their placements in schools and nurseries cancelled by Covid-19 have been gifted a virtual solution by their peers at the University of Northampton. An integral part of Early Years teaching students' training at the University is spending several weeks a year putting what they've learnt into practice in the real world.

# data[].attributes.body
maybe exaggerating a little! However, trying to be more proactive rather than reactive now. I assume many of us were flexible to meet the university needs sometime to our detriment.

# data[].attributes.headline
online made world a lot smaller and some could connect different people , time zones.

# data[].attributes.subject
online made world a lot smaller and some could connect different people , time zones.

# data[].attributes.body
Positive impact on awarding gaps, largely popular with students - now persuading staff / PSRBs to resist temptation to revert...

# data[].attributes.headline
Breakout Rooms for Peer Working/Collaboration

# data[].attributes.subject
Breakout Rooms for Peer Working/Collaboration

# data[].attributes.body
We had a license in place, but the collaborative nature pre, during and post sessional active learning saw a massive rise in use (and innovative use)

# data[].attributes.body
- via phone rather than on-screen
- by students / SU rather than uni (I'd be interested to discover if it would have different impact if done by staff)

# data[].attributes.headline
a blended approach balancing f2f with online - hybrid- really supported community of learners

# data[].attributes.subject
a blended approach balancing f2f with online - hybrid- really supported community of learners

# data[].attributes.headline
Hyflex - need to consider infrastructure, staff development, managing student expectations and the issues associated with equity in the quality of student experience and potential cognitive overload for staff.

# data[].attributes.subject
Hyflex - need to consider infrastructure, staff development, managing student expectations and the issues associated with equity in the quality of student experience and potential cognitive overload for staff.

# data[].attributes.headline
more proactive in creating a community of learners 

# data[].attributes.subject
more proactive in creating a community of learners 

# data[].attributes.headline
A Teams channel for educators around all things T&L related and Teams

# data[].attributes.subject
A Teams channel for educators around all things T&L related and Teams

# data[].attributes.body
Pretty successful community of practice

# data[].attributes.body
Key engagement tools to encourage interaction and gain evaluative data/feedback from students.

# data[].attributes.headline
Online workshops for Academic Development

# data[].attributes.subject
Online workshops for Academic Development

# data[].attributes.body
In the academic year 20/21 we threw everything at the students to make learning online interactive and it was too much - too overwhelming for students

# data[].attributes.body
Core expectation of students now - and extra resource whether attending or not.

# data[].attributes.body
Equity in the learning experience caused many issues -and tutor digital capability plus cognitive overload to facilitate was too much

# data[].attributes.body
- Was difficult, but more streamlined now

# data[].attributes.body
- Preference was separate online/F2F
- Issues with how students interact online

# data[].attributes.body
(although some folks liked them!)

# data[].attributes.body
Considering how this can be supported technically and academically (extra tutors)