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Design Principles

Balancing Synchronous and Asynchronous Teaching

In a synchronous (real-time) teaching context, a lecturer can use lecture capture/lecturecast software (e.g. Panopto), video conferencing tools (e.g. Collaborate Ultra/Zoom), or text-based interfaces (e.g. chat functions) to interact with students in real-time. Asynchronous teaching might involve students engaging with short lecture captures (e.g. Panopto), webinar recordings, and/or collaborating with time delays in discussions via forums, blogs, wikis which are moderated and facilitated by the lecturer.

Balancing Synchronous and Asynchronous Teaching (PDF 1,282 KB)


Preparing for Live Online Teaching

At Trinity we use Collaborate Ultra for live online teaching. This is a virtual classroom within your Blackboard module that is designed to support synchronous teaching events, facilitating real-time communication between students and teachers. You can use Collaborate Ultra to support your ‘real-time’ live teaching in hybrid/blended or online provision.

Preparing for Live Online Teaching (PDF 1,023 KB)


Large Group Teaching in Hybrid and Remote Contexts

This resource outlines four potential pathways that academics and those supporting teaching and learning at Trinity might use as they adapt lectures and large-group teaching for online and hybrid learning environments.

Large-Group Teaching in Hybrid and Remote Contexts (PDF 1,080 KB)


Creating Social Presence in Online Environments

Creating a ‘social presence’ online requires distinct scaffolding but can play a key role in student engagement and motivation when in an online environment.

Creating Social Presence in Online Environments (PDF)