Get your module ready

This gives you a quick overview of the main updates. Note that some schools may have requested minor changes.

Default structure of modules

We have created module templates, to create a consistent experience for students, and to help you ensure that you’ll be able to meet all points of the Module Baseline

It’s not, however, a straitjacket – we know that all disciplines, modules etc, have different requirements.

The overall structure and order of the module:

• Information about the module
• Assessment (Summative)
• Learning Resources

What’s Changed 2023-24?

While overall there are limited changes to the template from the 2022-23 template, there are number of minor changes you should be aware of.

Updated Content

A number of items have been updated, including changing some core information to links, to enable them to be kept up to date.

• Module Guide: 
  • A link to the Freedom of Expression Guidance added. 
• Assessment and Feedback area: 
  • IMPORTANT: Do not delete the Assessment and feedback area
    You should update the schedule, and assessment folders. While you can copy Blackboard assignments, you should not copy Turnitin assignments from last year.
  • “Feedback” added to the title, to help students find their feedback. The title also notes that grades in My Dundee are provisional.
  • Academic Integrity has been updated to a link.
    On that page, the declaration has been updated to include specific mention of unauthorised use of Artificial Intelligence tools. 
    We will also ensure that any new advice and guidance on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity will be available from there.
    A link to proof reading guidance is also on the Academic Integrity page.
  • There is also a link to the assessment scales to help students understand the 23 point scale.
• Getting Help – Students: Now renamed to “Getting help with My Dundee”, and is a link.

New features

There are a number of new features that directly affect student experience. This list isn’t definitive, but these are some key points. :

• Progress Tracking: We strongly recommend that you turn this on for all modules. In addition, staff can see what their students have done. Progress Tracking (Blackboard guide)
• Mark Schemas: It is now possible to have multiple marking (grading) schemas in My Dundee. All modules will get the university default “23 to Alphanumeric”, but only those in departments that routinely use assessment software that creates a percentage-based grade will get the “% to Alphanumeric”. Understanding Grading Schemas (CTIL Guide)
• Search by Content Title: My Dundee now allows users to search based on the Content Title of items. Please make sure you update the Content Title (by default the file name) to enable users to easily find material they need. Search By Content Title (Blackboard Guide)
• Groups: Visibility settings for students can be adjusted. Create and Use Groups (CTIL guide) 
• Announcements: These are now at the top of the module, rather than in the left menu.

Other features help you as you are building your module:

• Granular copy: This has improved, so should make it easier to get the content into the correct location. 
  • How to copy content into your new module (CTIL Guide)
  • Further details about Granular copy (Blackboard)
• Class Roster: Prioritise the list of instructors so module leads are listed first. This is a reminder from last year, as not all staff did this. We also now have additional staff roles, so it may be that you need fewer “instructors” and more of other roles. Manage Staff enrolments (CTIL guide) 

These are just some of the updates, others have occurred during this year, and more are due to arrive during the summer.

You’ll see information about new updates via the popups in My Dundee when they’re live.

• Blackboard’s Release notes – if you want to know all the details!

How to get your module ready

Default Content While most sections are empty, some have pointers (italicised) in. Any other content is core, and should be either left as is, or extended if your subject requires it, and then made visible to students.

Information about the module

Welcome to ** this module**

Make sure you update the title to reflect the name of the module.
Most students like to know what you look like – a video is the best way to welcome them but a photo and a welcoming message is good too!

We recommend this is prepared, and released, about 3 weeks before the start of teaching. (Remember, you can keep most of the rest of content hidden from students)

Module Guide

Module Aims and Learning Outcomes

This is for the formal statements of the aims and outcomes.

What you will Learn / How you will Learn

These 2 sections are for you to give an overview of the module, in a way that is more student focussed than the formal aims and learning outcomes.

You may wish to present “What you will learn” as an infographic, or you may prefer a list of list of themes / preparatory readings.

You can then use “How you will learn to remind students of what you expect them to do before a workshop or seminar.

Accessibility Statement

Please do not delete this. It is pre-populated with content. We encourage you to add information about any known accessibility issues with particular items.

Module Handbooks

The University policy about handbooks was updated in May 2022. Key to this is that Module handbooks are no longer required, however, key content must be available to students. To help you ensure that the information is embedded in your module, please see the attached mapping suggestions. Some schools / disciplines may decide to additionally include a downloadable version. 

This document outlines how core module areas match to the requirements of the Handbook Policy:

Assessment (summative)

Assessment and Feedback

This section should not be deleted – and you should update the key areas:

• Schedule
• Assessment Folders
• Add software guidance if using specialist assessment software.

Assessment Schedule

List all the assessments for this module, making the due dates, expected feedback return and other relevant information clear.

To help students, it’s useful let them know which Learning Outcome each assessment covers, if you have more than one assessment artefact.

Academic Integrity

Do not delete. It is now a link to a separate page which will be updated during the year with key information as it is developed, in particular, though not exclusively, about artificial intelligence.

Assessment folders

The two assessment folders are placeholders, and should be used to contain all relevant content for each assessment (e.g. assessment brief, examples of work if appropriate, rubric if used, submission points etc)

You should not copy Turnitin assignments between modules.

Setting up assessments

• Create a Turnitin Assignment (CTIL guide)
• Setting up a Blackboard Assignment (CTIL guide)
• Turnitin or Blackboard Assignment – a quick guide to help you choose (CTIL guide)

Turnitin Guides

Links to the Turnitin guides for students are in Assessment learning Module. If you do not use Turnitin for this module, you may wish to delete this link.

If you are using other assessment tools (e.g. Mobius, Safe Assign for group work, Gradescope etc.), you may wish to add in links to its guidance

Video Channel

You’ll need to click on this to generate the channel.

Learning Modules

These are the core learning material for your students, it’s where you and they should spend most of their time.

Staged release is suggested in the baseline- this will help both you (you won’t have to have all the content ready at the start of term, unless your discipline requires it), and the students (they won’t be overwhelmed by the amount of content).

The default listing for Learning modules is in reverse weekly order. This is for those who’ll be releasing the content weekly (e.g Friday pm or Monday am). It will mean that students will see the current week at the top of the list, rather than having to keep scrolling.  It may be that your school/ discipline has a different default

Please update **Name** to reflect the key topic for that learning module. If you have a weekly structure, ensure you update the dates. You’ll be probably be reflecting the structure outlined in “What you will learn” with these labels.

Each Learning Module has an Overview document, this can help students ensure they cover everything they need to in the week / theme.

Remember to label items clearly, to enable students to find them quickly.

It is useful for students to upload session recordings to the relevant Learning Modules (in addition to the item in the YuJa Channel), adjacent to the session materials.

Getting help with My Dundee

This is the student focussed help material. This is now a link, so it can be updated as needed. It is at the bottom – when students start the module, and only a few learning Modules are visible, they will be able to see it easily.

General Module Settings

Accessibility

Keep an eye on the Ally indicator as you upload your content. You can now see the accessibility of Ultra documents as you create them.

There are a number of sources of guidance about accessibility, and how to use your Ally report to help you:

• https://ctil.dundee.ac.uk/kb/ally-for-instructors/
• https://www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/creating-inclusive-teaching-materials
• Accessibility Week 2023 – Session recordings playlist

Releasing Content

To help students, we would recommend that you make available the module available to students, and the following items visible to students as soon as possible – many schools advise around three weeks before the start of teaching, you may get information from your school confirming the date(s). The rest of the contents can be kept hidden from students until you are ready to use it. 

• The Welcome Message
• The Library Resources (having updated your resource list) 

Getting help while building your module

Something broken? Need to request a service? Help4U is your friend

CTIL is on Help4U and if you post a question or issue there, it will be routed the person best placed to help with your enquiry. 

Need to know how to do something?

My Dundee Help

The My Dundee Help contains all the basic guides and videos, with many more being added all the time. You can access this by clicking on the question mark icon. These guides are mirrored in our website so if you just want to browse everything then you can do so here.

My Dundee 101

My Dundee 101 is an Organisation that contains a guided walkthrough of all the basics a new member of staff (or someone looking to refresh their knowledge).

Want to improve your online teaching?

Module Makeover / Content Creation

CTIL are running two workshops regularly over the summer: Module Makeover and Content Creation. In addition, we offer bespoke sessions for you to design your own workshop for staff. This includes Module Makeover / Content Creation sessions for your own team at a suitable time. We have also run sessions such as Rubric Design

Further Information and booking are on Staff Development 2023.

Learning X

There are also several resources on Learning X area that you may find useful if you want a self-paced approach to development.

• Blend your Module – helping you think about the learning activities your students will complete is already available.
• Create your Module – this will help you turn your plan into reality.

We also have earlier Learning X series available – have a look through for ideas, in particular, Searching, Using and Sharing, if you are looking for Creative Commons resources for your students. 

Eduzone 2.0

Eduzone 2.0 is a channel in the Education & Student Experience Team, to which all staff should have access. This includes a range of useful material, including FocusOn sessions, in which staff talk about teaching innovations that have worked effectively with their students. 

Keeping you informed

Communication about services like My Dundee will come through two channels. Our blog is the place for general news and other long form content, and you will also see pop-up notices in My Dundee covering everything from simple hints to important notices.

CTIL also make use of teams, particularly Education and Student Experience (look in the Education and Eduzone 2.0 channels). All staff should have access to this team.

Final Note

CTIL are grateful to users across the University for the feedback that has informed the development of the current templates. These templates are intended to make it easier to provide our students with a consistent online experience and we look forward to working with you all to further develop them in the future.