The Supporting Student Learning Online (SSLO) Toolkit was developed in March 2019 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic move to online learning. The resources were designed for those colleagues rapidly responding to the move to online learning, potentially for the first time. It covers basic tools to maintain communication and support for learning, it is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide to learning and teaching online, but it might spark your interest to learn more. The Toolkit was accompanied by live online support sessions across all campuses.

At a time of rapid change, be pragmatic about what you and your students will be able to engage with. The key priority is to ensure students feel supported. Knowing how to contact the course team and access course materials are key to this.

Using the toolkit

• Download guidance on using the toolkit.
• The Course Team Checklist provides a structure for course teams using the toolkit.
• Access a full list of SSLO toolkit resources.

Top tips

• Top tips for educators.
• Top tips for students.
• Supporting accessible learning online.

Adapting your assessments

Extensive guidance is available on the adapting your assessments page. 

Engaging students online

• How to use podcasts to support student learning.
• Recording voice over PowerPoint.
• Recording voice over slides in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
• Creating content using an iPad.
• Screencasting via Teams (internal HW login).

Teaching online via webinar

• Teaching live online via webinar.
• Collaborate Ultra participant guidance.
• Accessing webinar recordings.
• Using a mobile device as a visualiser.

Sample slides

The sample slides can be used to welcome students to a session and explain how to communicate in the session. Each slide is editable in case you wish to add course details before use.

• Welcome slide (sample welcome PPT file)
• Communicating in the webinar room slide (Collaborate Ultra comms PPT file and Teams comms PPT file)

Videos showing how to use Collaborate

Each of these videos are internal so require Heriot-Watt login to access.

1. Accessing your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
2. Setting up your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
3. Communicating in your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
4. Sharing files in your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
5. Using drawing tools & polling in your online classroom.
6. Cleaning and leaving your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
7. Using breakout rooms in your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
8. How to share a second camera in your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.
9. How to use polling (with reporting) in your Collaborate Ultra online classroom.

Further guidance on using Collaborate Ultra (internal – requires Heriot-Watt login).

Accessing and using Vision

• Uploading materials to Vision.
• Updating your course page on Vision.
• Adding staff contact details to Vision.
• Contacting your students on Vision.
• Using discussion boards on Vision.

Microsoft Teams as a communication tool

• Using Teams for online meetings.
• Guidance for participants joining Teams meetings.
• Further guidance on using Teams (video) (internal – requires Heriot-Watt login).

This toolkit was developed through collaboration between the Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA) and the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Service (LTES).

We gratefully acknowledge the work of:
LTA staff: Martha Caddell, Rosemarie McIlwhan. | Learning Technologists: Karoline Nanfeldt, Helen McNeill, Mari Cruz Garcia, Lisa Scott, James Igoe, Colin Miller. | Graphic Designer: Cate Sutton. | LTES staff: Sheila Williams, Jamie McIntyre, Phil Booth, Caroline Dobson; and everyone else who contributed to the development of the toolkit directly or indirectly.

Top Tips For Students Engaging with Online Learning was remixed from ‘10 Points to Remember when Learning Online’ by the Union of Students in Ireland, in partnership with the National Forum www.teachingandlearning.ie and Twitter thread by @katesymons2