A very warm welcome to this brand new blog from the Teaching Innovation and Learning Enhancement team (TILE for short).
The TILE team are here to help staff and students embed and use technology to enhance the teaching and learning process. We’re currently working on a range of different projects, alongside running training sessions, providing bespoke support, and helping to develop an academic community of practice through various networking and showcase events.
Why we’re starting a blog
Unless you’re a regular attendee at our events, or are working with one of us on a specific project, you might not be aware of all the ways we’re already using tech at Staffordshire University. So this is another way that we can spread the word and encourage curiosity and wider discussion about technology in Higher Education.
It’s also a platform to directly showcase some of the things you might want to incorporate in your teaching – watch this space.
Who are the TILE team?
Here are the team in their own words…
Anshul Lau – Digital Academic Developer
I am currently the Team Lead at TILE Hub, focusing on fostering excellence in digital learning ecosystems. My role involves aligning digital learning services with the university’s teaching and learning goals, collaborating with stakeholders, and developing and enhancing digital learning services. I have successfully led projects in Higher Education and Further Education institutions, and I hold qualifications such as SFHEA and CMALT. With a background in Digital Education and online distance learning, I bring valuable insights to enhance institutional digital learning practices. I am also a certified Lego Serious Play Facilitator and pursuing the Data Science and AI Educators program, allowing me to contribute innovative strategies to the evolving digital learning landscape. As a creative technology and education leader, I am dedicated to improving the student learning experience, and drive innovation and excellence in digital learning.
George Hill – Online Distance Learning Designer
Previously I have worked within Online Radio, leading on the development of asynchronous training for our global team. I have also worked with the TILE Hub as a Graduate Project Officer focusing on content production and videography. I am mainly focused on the development of Online & Distance learning courses, the implementation of immersive and interactive teaching technologies (such as ThingLink and Padlet), the uses of simulation and VR around the classroom and supporting DTA with Blackboard. I will also be running masterclasses throughout the summer on Blackboard module design as well as assisting in the design of Micro-credentials.
Simran Cheema – Instructional Designer
I am a Master of Chemistry graduate with 2 years’ experience designing and creating virtual lab simulations specializing in higher education science topics. I am responsible for the development of interactive e-learning courses for staff development and training, and supporting the development of Simulated courses with the use of AR, VR and mixed reality. However, I am currently working on the lecture capture project (trialling two systems: Echo360 and Panopto) and supporting HSW with Blackboard. I will also be running Blackboard masterclasses throughout the summer focusing specifically on Multimedia, and upskilling on VIRTI to encourage the application of this technology in courses University-wide.
Robin Ray – Digital Curriculum Designer
I’m a former FE mathematics teacher with a background in educational and tech publishing. As well as supporting JSS and IoE with using the Blackboard VLE, I’m currently investigating e-portfolio software and alternative hybrid and flexible learning modalities. I’ll be running some Blackboard masterclass training sessions over the summer focusing on Assessments, and will be having input into design sprints for new courses later in the year.
Rowan Walker – Student Digital Engagement Officer
Hello, I’m the Student Digital Engagement Officer for TILE Hub. My primary objective within our team is to specifically reach out to students and promote sessions and events that foster digital initiatives at Staffordshire University. As a Film graduate with a passion for interactive technologies, I’m excited to organize a variety of sessions throughout the academic year, allowing students to experience these technologies firsthand. You may have already seen me leading staff sessions in the past, such as the Blackboard Induction sessions or the polling app workshops. I want to assure you that these sessions are still ongoing, and I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of these opportunities further!
Julia Wisniewska – Assistant Learning Designer – E-Learning (SPO)
I am a Games Art student, just about to graduate. I have experience with both traditional and 3D art. At work, I assist my team with their masterclasses, and I teach my own class about the Blackboard Mobile App. Aside from that, I participate in a JISC project that helps students and staff in determining the level of their digital skills and I support staff with Blackboard.
Follow us…
We have a dedicated Staffs TILE Hub YouTube channel where you can find instructional guides, unboxing videos, webinar recordings and more.
You can follow us on Twitter (@StaffsTILEHub) or Instagram (staffs_tilehub) too.
And if you haven’t already, add yourself to the TILE Hub on Microsoft Teams, where you can chat with a community of colleagues about all things TILE.
Want to share your work?
If you’ve been using or trialing something new or innovative in your teaching, we’d love to hear about it and invite you to contribute to this TILE Hub blog. Please let us know by completing this short form and we’ll be in touch:https://forms.office.com/e/vmtkk421uc