Canterbury Christ Church University Teaching and Learning Conference 2020

LEARNING AND TEACHING CONFERENCE 2020
University holds successful Virtual Learning and Teaching Conference

Our Learning and Teaching summer 2020 conference went virtual this year, with a record attendance of over 160 delegates. This year, the conference theme was ‘Learning and Teaching for Wellbeing’.

Professor. Jonathan Glazzard, from Leeds Beckett University, gave the keynote speech on ‘Supporting students' multiple and multidimensional transitions into and through higher education’. This was followed by seven presentations from colleagues on case studies and themes relating to wellbeing, including enhancing students’ cohort identity through informal gatherings, focusing on students and staff emotional wellbeing, the role of movement for mental health, fostering a sense of belonging for BAME students and supporting Foundation Year students’ integration with the “Life and Study” module.

The lively discussions in the chat rooms were a testimony to colleagues’ engagement with the topic, and early evaluation shows that colleagues have found the conference valuable for their own practice, with one saying: “I was impressed by the engagement and discussions-very productive”. They have also felt that using the virtual environment of Blackboard Collaborate has had a positive impact, as noted by a participant: “I felt more connected, and was able to engage more than in a face-to-face conference”. The organising team will therefore consider using similar means in the future.