Learning Technologies

Blackboard Learn Ultra is the latest Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) used by the University of Edinburgh. 

Learn provides a single point of entry to all of the School's learning material, assessments and student grades.

ExamOnline is a locally-hosted online assessment platform developed by a third-party company, Intelligent Assessment Technologies. It's being used extensively for exams at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the School.

The platform provides many computer-marked question types (multiple choice, gap-fill etc.), but it has been specifically designed to support extended answer and essay style examinations. It even supports candidates submitting hand-drawn sketches or diagrams as part of their answer. 

Media Hopper Create is the University's digital media storage, distribution and recording package. It has an associated website, where you can access:

• your video library,
• the recording app, and
• Media Hopper Create help videos​​​​​​​.

Media Hopper Create website

It is known by many names, e.g. Media Hopper (confusing with Media Hopper Replay), Create or Kaltura (manufacturer's name). 

Media Hopper Replay is the University's lecture storage, distribution and recording package. 

It is also known by other names e.g. Media Hopper (confusing with Media Hopper Create), Replay or Echo360 (manufacturer's name). 

Collaborate is the main way to have interactive online teaching/training sessions with students in real time, such as: 

• Tutorials,
• Q&A sessions
• Workshops

Turnitin is a plagiarism detection and marking system that integrates into Blackboard Learn. 

However, please note that Turnitin's marking features are limited, and it’s not integrated with Blackboard Learn’s native groups feature.

Wooclap is the University's system for polling students during lectures and other live events. It is web-based and offers more than 20 different types of questions. 

Students/audiences use their phones or other portal devices, either via a web browser or Wooclap app, to interact and answer questions in live events.

Discussion tools for students to ask questions about course materials and to receive answers from staff or other students.

EdStem is particularly designed for STEM courses.

Peerceptiv has 3 roles in managing peer assessments and evaluations.

1. Group creation; based on (or excluded by), common values and traits.
2. Group work; peers evaluating other members of their group for their contribution (similar to WebPA).
3. Peer review of student's work; This is fully supported process, including rubric for student guidance.

Please be aware that use of Peerceptiv is only by agreement and support will be given at that time.

3D printed models gives students physical objects to explore that would otherwise be inaccessible (e.g., a protein), and there are also 3D printed Lego-style components that allow students to build models (e.g., DNA) for themselves.

Biology-specific interactive games that allow students to gain better understanding of complex concepts more intuitively (e.g., adventure and escape room games), even more effectively than animation videos.

With 360^∘ photography and drone technologies, virtual field trips can be produced to allow students to explore biological environments when physical visits are not feasible.

Students can manipulate AR objects, created with 3D modelling software, on their portable devices with touch screens, helping them understand structures more visually.

iPads in the lab provides a way for students to record and analyse experimental data digitally, while personal electronic devices are not allowed in labs. 

Short interactive learning materials are available to train students on particular topics, e.g., demonstrations of statistics and biological processes.