Staff Guides

If you already know which digital education system you need help with, you'll find guides for that system by clicking the relevant link below. Don't forget you can also search this site to find the guidance you are looking for.

Minerva

Minerva is the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that enables staff to create and manage online teaching areas and to communicate with students. It uses Blackboard technology with a wide range of in-built and integrated tools for interactive learning, assessment and grading.

Ally

Improve the accessibility of your content within Minerva using reports, indicators and quick fixes.

Assignment (Blackboard)

Blackboard Assignments is the built-in assessment tool in Minerva which can support Turnitin similarity reports.

BoB (Box of Broadcasts)

BoB (Box of Broadcasts) is an online, off-air TV and radio streaming and recording service.

Buddycheck

Buddycheck is a tool for peer evaluation of group work contribution.

CampusPress

CampusPress is a tool for creating WordPress blogs and websites for teaching and learning purposes.

FeedbackFruits

FeedbackFruits can be used to facilitate formative feedback within teaching and learning using a suite of seven tools.

Gradescope

Gradescope is a digital assessment tool that is particularly useful for paper-based assignments.

Microsoft Teams

Teams is the University's virtual classroom tool.

Padlet

Padlet is a digital noticeboard and collaboration tool.

Panopto

Panopto is a media enhanced learning platform that facilitates lecture capture and video creation.

PebblePad

PebblePad is an e-portfolio tool that can be used for module teaching, assessment and to share information online.

Test (Blackboard)

Blackboard Test is the built-in testing tool in Minerva which can be used for formative and summative assessment.

ThingLink

Develop digital assets into interactive and XR content using tags to embed or link to video, images, audio, text, and more.

Turnitin

Turnitin is a plagiarism detection and marking system.

Vevox

Vevox is a polling tool used for staff and student polling.

Pilot and Specialist Systems

Athena TDM - For non-degree courses

Athena TDM is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for non-degree courses run by the University of Leeds which are available to external participants.

Athena Staff Guides

Labster - Laboratory simulations

Labster can help add interactive, virtualised laboratory simulations across STEM and other subject areas to a Minerva module.

Labster Staff guides

MATLAB - Programming

MATLAB Grader and Online Training allow you to support students with MATLAB programming.

MATLAB Staff Guides

Möbius - STEM assessments

Möbius can be used to create and set self-paced STEM assessments and interactive learning activities.

Möbius Staff Guides

Noteable - Computational notebooks

Noteable is a cloud-based computational notebook service that supports Python, R and other programming languages. It allows creating coding assignments and integrates with Minerva.

Noteable Staff Guides

Podbean and Soundtrap - Podcasting [Pilot]

Podcasting is available through two systems to accommodate different approaches to using the content style: Soundtrap for Education which can be used to support module activities and audio assessment, and PodBean, available to both staff and students for podcasts intended for distribution (either globally or private streams to a narrow audience).

Podcasting Staff Guides

We are currently piloting our podcasting tools - read more about pilots on our Pilot Information Guide.

SimVenture Evolution - Business Simulation

SimVenture Evolution is online business simulation software. Staff can create simulations that can be played by individual students or teams. Staff can also define if simulations engage students to collaborate or compete.

Note that licences must be purchased by your department prior to use.

SimVenture Evolution Staff Guides

Collaborate - Virtual Classroom [Retiring July 2026]

Collaborate is a virtual classroom platform previously used for online teaching at the University. Recordings made using the tool are available until July 2026.

Collaborate recordings can be accessed and viewed in read-only until July 2026.

Collaborate Staff Guides

Mediasite - Lecture Capture [Retiring September 2026]

Mediasite is the University’s Lecture Capture and Multimedia system.

Mediasite Staff Guides

Other learning and teaching systems

The University also provides the following learning and teaching systems. Click on the links to find out more.

General Staff Guidance

Faculty Based Support for Staff

The Digital Education Enhancement team offer advice and expertise in how best to use digital technology in student education. Learn how to contact them.

Staff Guide to Digital Assessment Tools

Links to the most widely used assessment tools. The assessment tool you will use is dependant on your assessment methods, with a choice between Blackboard tools built-in to Minerva, such as Blackboard Tests and integrated tools such as Gradescope, and Turnitin.

Request Forms

Find links to forms related to specific Digital Education Systems and processes.

Need help finding a guide? The A to Z of System Guides lists all the system guides available on this site. You can also search this site for the answers to your questions.