Anglia Learning and Teaching's (formerly INSPIRE) 12th Annual Conference, 28 June, at the Chelmsford campus, was hailed as 'Definitely the best L and T conference yet' by the attending 170 delegates.
Professor Mike Thorne
Delegates enjoyed a fascinating, innovative keynote by David Robinson OBE: ‘Building a sense of possibility and excitement: creating opportunities to enhance student learning'.
The rest of the morning, delegates were able to learn about pedagogic projects undertaken by our colleagues with students in through chosen workshops and presentations. Details of the presenters, and session abstracts and associated materials are still available to view in the conference pack download.
At lunchtime we presented the new Vice Chancellor's Awards winners and highly commended with their certificates, and presented the trophy to the winner of the new Anglia Ruskin Repository Online award, which was won by the Faculty of Education, in a ceremony hosted by Vice Chancellor Professor Mike Thorne.
In the afternoon, Mike Thorne gave a stimulating keynote delivering the new Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy.
Dr Cath Ellis
Other highlights included external presenter Jude Carroll, who gave two workshops on teaching and assessing international students, and external presenter Dr Cath Ellis, University of Huddersfield and a National Teaching Fellow, who ran a workshop on using Turnitin GradeMark for online submission, marking and feedback.
We also provided an eyeBox for attendees' feedback on the conference. It was available throughout the day, with helpers on hand for guidance, and was well attended. We recorded pieces of feedback from delegates, keynotes and fellowship award holders, ranging from constructive criticism to compliments.
At the end of the day at the conference reception Mike Thorne presented the new Teaching Fellows with their certificates and fellowship pins and announced the winners of the new Learning and Teaching Project Funds. In this second round of University Teaching Fellows awards, the panel was delighted to be able to award all six Fellowships this year, to bring our pool of teaching fellows up to ten. The six winners of this prestigious award are: Mrs Julia Anne Druce, Dr Julio D'Escriván, Dr John Gardner, Paula Sobiechowska and Dr Isabel Williams.
The Conference has grown to almost double its capacity over the past two years and continues to expand and reach more staff. Don't miss it next year!
Michelle Bernard