This website has been created by members of DCAD opens a new window‘s Digital Learning Team, at Durham University opens a new window in the NE of England. It provides support for teaching and learning activities, with a focus on pedagogy. It is very much a work in progress. The design started in late August and an initial go-live in October 2023.

We are a small team and find ourselves providing support for tools that historically, were supported by others. We have many calls on our time, but are committed to this project, recognising that good guidance is needed to support good learning and teaching. We hope this page helps manage your expectations.

Centrally supported software

We will try and add guides for all the centrally supported teaching and learning apps you might use – which in reality means the core teaching tools identified by the Educational Software Task & Finish Group.

Software involved in a pilot or evaluation

Where time allows, we will also add guides for software currently being piloted, where those pilots involve members of DCAD and involve a formal evaluation process. That will provide the evidence that’s needed (together with a source of funding) if they are to be considered for wider use.

Tools not used for teaching

We won’t be writing guides for tools specific to research (such as NVivo, or statistics packages) or administrative systems (such as SharePoint or the Student Record System). Look for guidance for these on the CIS Software catalogue (on SharePoint) opens a new window or do what the rest of us do and Google!

Department-specific software

When software is managed by a single department, we won’t be writing guides, as (a) we probably don’t know what the software does, and (b) are not providing support for it. We don’t want to step on the toes of people already doing this well in the relevant departments.

Third party software

Typically, if something hasn’t been bought by the University then we won’t be writing guides about it. We may make exceptions for some very common social media tools, but these will be lower down the priority list than the central tools.

Fixing things

If something is broken, or there is an issue with the underlying data then don’t delay by browsing this site. You need to contact the University IT Service – use details on the Digital Durham SharePoint page opens a new window.

Workshops and training events

Details of training offered by members of the team can be found on Inkpath opens a new window where you will be able to find information tailored to your role at the University.