Blended learning

Through blended learning, you will develop as a confident independent learner with an ability to engage with a range of digital tools.

Don’t forget to liaise with your personal academic tutor (PAT) or module tutors for academic support - together you can identify any skills you need to develop. Also, think about connecting with a peer mentor who can share their own experiences of blended learning and give you tips on what has worked for them.

We are here to help you get the most out of your blended learning experience through:

• The Learning Skills Hub where you can improve your study skills, including managing your time, connect with your Learning Skills team or collaborate on new ways of working with your friends. 

• ReCap and other recordings accessible on your module Blackboards, which means you can access pre-recorded lectures at a time that suits you, pause, rewind and revisit as much as you like. This allows the classroom time to be used in the most effective manner, focusing on engaging activities such as Q&A, case study discussion etc. Active listening and note-taking will be key to benefit from ReCap and you can begin developing these two skills through the Learning Skills Hub or Skills4Study. 

• The CCCU Student App Store is your central hub from which you can find software to download or access on your personal device for free. It includes all of your familiar items such as Microsoft Office and SPSS to engineering packages such as Autodesk.

• Free productivity tools - whether it’s text to speech software, or time management courses, there’s something to help everyone do the best that they can. 

• IT training opportunities - The Microsoft Imagine Academy provides online self-paced training to help you succeed in today’s technologically evolving world.

• Microsoft Teams - is a supporting online platform for more informal one-to-one or group communication and collaboration including instant messaging, video chat and file sharing.

Our Digital Code of Conduct aims to ensure that participants in any online event organised by the University, such as webinar, video conference, online chat, or discussion forum, benefit from the activity and are not subject to abuse or discrimination in the digital environment. 

If you have specific learning needs, you can also contact the Disability Team for specialist advice and support.

Your course team will inform you how your assessment will be handled.

Throughout your studies courses will often provide formative assessments, using a mixture of approaches such as discussion, problem-solving, active learning and peer learning. Formative assessment does not contribute to your final grade but will help you prepare for summative, marked assignments and help you achieve the grade you want.

Turnitin, via Blackboard, will allow you to digitally submit work and receive and review feedback and grades. This will continue to be the case for most assessments run in a blended learning course.

We recommend that you have your own laptop computer as there will be lots of online resources, recorded lectures and activities for you to engage with, to support your independent learning, both on and off campus.

Your first step is to discuss any special equipment or software requirements with your course to ensure you have what you need from the start.

• For most courses, a Windows laptop is recommended with an Intel i5 processor and 8GB RAM. A minimum of a 256GB SSD (solid state disc) is also recommended.
• Avoid Chromebooks where possible.
• For creative arts courses (e.g. music or media related courses) an Apple MacBook may be more appropriate.
• If you are studying computing or engineering subjects you may wish to consider a higher specification laptop to support your studies, for example, an i7 processor with 16GB Ram.

Make sure your device has the latest system updates, anti-virus protection and is protected with a password or PIN code.

Remember you get access to free and discounted software including Microsoft Office, software to keep you safe online, and course-specific software.

If you do not have a laptop when on campus, there are many PCs and Apple Macs to use in our study spaces.

It is important that you consider your digital wellbeing:

• Make sure that you take regular breaks from your devices.
• Take time for meals.
• Establish a routine.
• Keep a covered bottle of water beside you while you study and take regular drinks.
• Take time to connect with others, both those you study with and those in your home.
• Try to have regular exercise, particularly if you will be sitting at a screen for a long period. Don't forget to check out what is on offer from Christ Church Sport and Active Health with a gym, fitness classes and much more. 
• Remember that while you are learning online, your learning tools need to work for you. Make sure you have the right IT equipment and learn how to make the most of the technology you have. But also use pen and paper to make notes if that’s easier for you.