The Learning Design Consultancy Unit (LDCU) was established in June 2020, with the aim of bringing together expertise from the Academic Development Centre, Academic Technology and across Warwick to support the pivot to online teaching and learning.
Through collaborative, supportive community engagement the LDCU provides support for colleagues with designing and adapting teaching and learning for online and blended delivery. Over the past two years the LDCU has been responsive to circumstances, adapting the offerings of the unit to meet the needs of the community. Regular synchronous sessions have helped to build and foster an active open community where colleagues share experiences, questions, ideas and practice. This has been complemented with asynchronous resources including a Talking Online Learning podcast series showcasing approaches adapted by colleagues from across Warwick.
The LDCU has collaborated and connected with colleagues from across the institution to share their practice and expertise. Collaboration and open communication has been essential in the success of the LDCU – every member of the team brings a unique experience and expertise that in turn inspires and informs colleagues developing their practice in online and blended teaching and learning.
The core team collaborate in partnership with staff and students in supporting the design of teaching and learning – through critical discussions and trusted relationships the LDCU became a pivotal source of support for colleagues both in the pivot to teaching and learning and subsequent conversations around ‘where to next’.
A key element of the work of the LDCU is the work to promote Technology Enhanced Active Learning – this approach places students at the centre of the learning experience and considers how technology can enhance that experience adopting a pedagogy first approach. The LDCU works in collaboration with students to share experiences, develop guidance and discuss inclusive approaches to online learning. Through the annual institutional Technology Enhanced Active Learning festival (TEALfest) the LDCU has also opened discussions between colleagues at Warwick and beyond. TEALfest provides opportunities for further collaboration both between staff and students at Warwick and beyond.