About the Team
The Faculty of Science Digital Education team is committed to creating high-quality, inclusive digital teaching and learning experiences that engage students and enhance academic excellence in the effective use of digital learning for all delivery modes.
A highly collaborative team, we co-design teaching using research-informed pedagogical practice that is aligned to the strategic objectives of both the Faculty of Science and Durham University.
Our Values and Approach
Quality
Quality is a thread running through each aspect and phase of our learning design and resource/materials development processes. The Science Digital Education ensure a measured approach to development using benchmarks and multiple stages of self-, staff- and student-critical evaluation, applying evidence-based pedagogy to support student needs.
Inclusivity
Universal design characteristics are applied across all our work to minimise barriers to learning. This ensures accessible and equitable opportunities for people with different abilities and goals, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, regardless of background or culture.
Partnership/Collaboration
We see our work as a focused collaboration between ourselves and academic and teaching staff, with support when required from members of DCAD, including the Digital Education Consultants and Digital Learning Designers. We also involve students in the evaluation and enhancement of design and re-design of modules and activities.
Innovation
We innovative in our practice through applying pedagogic theory to support the design and delivery of learning in the Faculty of Science. Appropriate innovation using digital learning technologies can lead to significant improvement in student learning outcomes.
Assessment
Supporting Advance HE’s beliefs that assessment design and provision of meaningful feedback are ‘central to learning and the student experience’, the team draws on inclusive, authentic, and pedagogic practice to help tutors create effective, constructively aligned and contextualised assessment.
Iterative Enhancement
A driving principle supporting the Science Digital Education team’s module enhancement process to create a culture and practice of continuous improvement (University Strategy 2017-2027, p45) is to evaluate programmes and modules and their associated digital learning practice, “…on the basis of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data” (L&T Handbook (4.7)). We utilise data and staff and student experiences to inform the iterative process of enhancing learning activities, materials and engagement.
Our Location
Our on-campus office is CG311, next to the Science Faculty Office in the Chemistry Building. The team consists of a mix of those who are on campus (minimum 2 days per week) and staff who are remote working. You will always, however, be able to contact us via our contact us form or our shared Science Digital Education email account.