The central purpose of the initiatives descibred here is one of encouraging learners to understand complex concepts by creating, accessing, modifying and sharing visual representations and images. Innovative use of interactive whiteboards, online tools, interactive flipcharts, scanners and playstation games, all works to develop visual literacy amongst students, whilst at the same time, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.
The Promoting Enhanced Student Learning (PESL) website has some useful resources based on staff perspectives on learning and teaching practice from across the University. Here, Dr Colin Melia talks about the effective demonstration of bench practical skills to large lab classes using an integrated system of visualisers, screens and smartboards made possible by funding from the VLL.
This represents an opportunity for us to have an impact on the teaching culture in our disciplines, which is great!
Click on the image below to listen to Dr Carole Mallia talk about her experience of using the Thunder™ virtual flipchart system with students in the School of History. The image below shows her receiving the Postgraduate Teaching Award in 2009 from Tessa Payne, Head of the Graduate School, and David Burns, Director of Training and Staff Development.
Dr Katharina Lorenz is Associate Professor in the Department of Classics. She received funding to develop a Showing Seeing Centre and describes some of the learning outcomes from technologies such as: computer games; scanners and large-scale printers; digital microscopes .
Dr John Robinson from the Faculty of Engineering talks about how his use of Interactive Whiteboards enhanced student interaction with difficult concepts faced during experiments .
Dr Brett Bligh worked with staff and students in the School of History to increase student involvement in seminars through the use of interactive Flipchart system Thunder ™.
Staff in the School of Computer Sciences have been developing visual aids to enliven the teaching of computer graphics , and developing interactive visual online environments to help students learn difficult concepts .
Visual Learning Lab Funds have also been used to upgrade assistive technology resources for visually-impaired students in the Hallward Library. Rebecca Robinson, Disability Support Coordinatorr for Information Services talks about the uptake.
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telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 4424 fax: +44 (0) 115 846 8401 email: vll@nottingham.ac.uk