Archived Resource: Responsive Blended Learning

For current guidance on teaching online and on-campus please see the AY22-23 teaching team support pack.

The Responsive Blended Learning model is no longer in use at Heriot-Watt and has been replaced with Globally Connected Learning, however we recognise that the resources may still be of interest or use to colleagues therefore the full resources are provided here.

Responsive Blended Learning (RBL) combines active, supported online learning with contextually appropriate face-to-face learning opportunities, responding dynamically to the changing external context. This approach enables students to proceed with their studies alongside their peers, whatever pandemic-related restrictions are lifted or imposed in specific contexts.

RBL: Our principles

Prioritise the wellbeing of staff and students.
Support students to thrive as part of global learning communities.
Value our staff and their skills, knowledge and passion for their subject that underpins the HWU learning experience.
Build on our strengths as a global, multi-sited university.
Blend online and face-to-face learning in a way that is pedagogically appropriate and practically deliverable.
Ensure identical academic standards across learning contexts.
Maintain our commitment to Inspiring Learning.

At the heart of the RBL approach is our Heriot-Watt global learning community, our students and our staff collaborating together to inspire learning.

Use the sections below to access a range of resources to support the delivery of and engagement with Responsive Blended Learning.

Alternatively, download the list of RBL resources for quick access to topics of interest to you.

DOWNLOAD THE RBL RESOURCES LIST

Introduction to Responsive Blended Learning

This guide is an introduction to the Responsive Blended Learning approach adopted by Heriot-Watt University in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the Introduction to Responsive Blended Learning guide.

Getting Ready for AY21-22: Teaching Team Support Pack

This pack will help you to plan your courses for AY21-22 and navigate your way through the available RBL support resources. It includes:

Getting ready for academic year 2021-22: Teaching team conversations – These eight themed conversations will help frame team planning, encourage innovation and help you meet the challenges of the current context.
Team Action Planning Template AY21/22 – Use this to record your Team discussions, decisions and plans for AY21/22.
AY21/22 reviewing your course checklist – This checklist will help you check that your course is effectively structured and set up on Canvas to support teaching in Responsive Blended Learning mode in AY21/22.
Getting Started with Course and Assessment Design – This guide will help you to refresh your course design, assessment and activities as you prepare for the new academic year.
Getting ready for AY21/22 assessment overview – This guide takes your through key questions about your assessments and signposts relevant advice.
Dual mode teaching guides – these guides will support you to consider whether to teach simultaneously on-campus and online, and will provide key tips for teaching in dual mode should you choose to do so.
RBL student guides – You can embed these guides in your course or share with students to support them to engage with RBL.
Canvas Migration SharePoint – Our learning hub from AY21/22 onwards will be Canvas. Use the Canvas migration resources to review and prepare your course site for AY21/22.
Structuring and presenting course content on Canvas – this guide explains how to structure and present content on Canvas so that it supports the student learning journey.
Learning and Teaching Planning Assumptions for AY21/22– These University assumptions underpin all learning and teaching decisions for AY21/22.
Course Team Mapping Tool – If you need a starting point for planning your course week-by-week, this mapping tool may help.

The 'Introducing RBL' Module

The Introducing Responsive Blended Learning module is open to colleagues across Heriot-Watt University who will be teaching or supporting students through a Responsive Blended Learning approach.

It can be studied as a linear module, worked through from beginning to end. Alternatively you can dip in and engage with specific resources as and when you need them. Either way, we hope that you’ll find it useful for the transition to Responsive Blended Learning and in developing your practice more broadly.

Heriot-Watt staff (if logging in with their Heriot-Watt ID) can:

access the module site on the VLE (Vision) here.
self-enrol on the module using the self-enrolment guidance.

RBL: Extend your practice

Over the summer the RBL team are facilitating a series of sessions are for staff who want to focus on a particular aspect of Responsive Blended Learning. The sessions provide a space to share and develop learning and teaching practice. The recordings of the sessions are available to Heriot-Watt staff via the links below (Heriot-Watt login required):

RBL: Student Guides

Our resources for students explain what Responsive Blended Learning will be like for students and also provide support to use the key tools needed to engage in Responsive Blended Learning during AY20/21.

Access the RBL guides for students and the RBL student induction guides 20/21.