We recently welcomed over 100 delegates to Keele to discuss the use of Microsoft Teams to support learning and teaching practices in universities, and the ways in which students should be supported to communicate, collaborate and learn in a modern university.

The event highlighted and celebrated the excellent work happening right across the education sector, and reflected on the potential impact Microsoft Teams could have, particularly how working with Teams, and other collaborative online platforms, can transform levels of student engagement.

Alongside the presentations, there were three activity sessions, encouraging delegates to explore the themes of the day.

Dr Rafe Hallett, Director of the Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence, commented:

“It was fantastic to welcome so many external delegates to Keele to explore how online platforms can support learning and teaching, and to discuss the burning question of how we frame, shape and energise social dimensions of learning through online spaces. The presentations and case studies offered some illuminating examples of innovative practice from across the sector, and it was fantastic to see the constructive discussions taking place between staff from multiple HEIs.

So thank you to everyone who attended and contributed, and thanks also to our partners at Jisc who helped to make the event happen, our colleagues in IDS, and to all of the speakers who shared their experiences and insights.”

The event was coordinated by Keele University's Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence, Keele Information and Digital Services, and Jisc, and featured presentations, workshops and demonstrations, with speakers from a variety of institutions, including:

• Dr Rafe Hallett, Keele University
• Lawrie Phipps, Jisc
• Professor Helen O'Sullivan, Keele University
• Santanu Vasant, University of East London
• Dr Stephen Bateman, Staffordshire University
• Dr Emma Thirkell, UCLAN
• Victoria Foley, Alex Goffe & Karl Gimblett, Keele University
• Jessica Louise Macbeth & Jane Fitzgerald, UCLAN
• Nicky Bowen & John Billington, Hugh Baird College
• Phil Richards, Jisc

All of the presentations from the day were filmed, and are available to view on the Keele Digital Festival 2019 Conference Website.

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