The resources in this section have been designed to assist TU Dublin staff in developing online and blended modules that are accessible, supportive, engaging, and inclusive for all learners. They include practical guidance, and links to further resources, on providing appropriate and sufficient social, pastoral, and academic supports to learners in online and blended contexts.
Key topics include:
- Orienting new students to online learning
- Digital wellbeing, building community and establishing ‘social presence’ in the VLE
- The role of universal design in ensuring accessible and inclusive online learning experiences
- The impact of peer mentoring, assessment, and feedback on learner engagement
- Digital literacies and the development of key transversal skills for learning, working, and living in technology-rich environments
First year for success
- Early orientation and extended induction practices - Plan an effective orientation for first-year students in an online or blended course
- Peer mentoring and Assessment and Feedback - Engage first-year learners through peer mentoring and a supportive ‘first experience’ of assessment and feedback that builds confidence
- Graduate attributes and learning spaces - Maximise the use of different virtual and physical spaces and use informal and formal learning opportunities to develop learners’ key transversal skills
- Building a sense of community online - Strategies for creating ‘social presence’ and building a sense of community in online learning spaces
- Academic writing for undergraduate and postgraduate students - to help you decide on the most appropriate supports for your students' academic writing
- Universal Design for Teaching, Learning and Assessment - A guide to help you use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to enhance students’ experience focusing on flexibility and diversity.
- Quick Guide to Accessibility in Your Teaching, Learning and Assessment Resources - Ensure accessibility in your teaching, learning and assessment resources with this short guid
Help students to learn online
- Helping students to learn online - Help students with their transition to online learning by identifying supports and resources that will assist their development of digital literacies