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Pilots of Software/Tools for Digital Education

Throughout the year, the Digital Education Service are involved in a number of software/tool pilots. These pilots help us to explore a new approach or idea, to delivering learning and teaching. Pilots also help us to understand and manage any risks and dependencies before a decision is taken on whether the software should be implemented for institutional-wide use or discontinued.

An example of this is PebblePad, this was piloted for two years before it became our institutional e-portfolio tool.

During a pilot, users are asked for feedback to help guide us in the right direction. Sometimes this is because we are working with the supplier to iteratively develop the software in response to user feedback.

This page lists all the current software/tool pilots and how users can get involved. We've categorised these to help you understand the key functionality they offer.

Virtual Classroom

Class

An alternative to Collaborate, Teams and standard Zoom, the Class virtual classroom environment enables active learning, collaboration, and engagement in online classes. Provides whiteboarding, chronological hand-raise notifications, extensive chat features, on-demand polls, moderated breakout groups and more. Delivery is via a client-based app, which instructors need to install on their computers. Students and other attendees can join sessions using standard Zoom.

  • Pilot details: Expected to run throughout 2023/24.
  • How to get involved: If you’re interested in joining the Class pilot, please submit a request via the IT Website. In the short description field on the form please enter: FAO of Digital Education Systems: Class Pilot. If you are not sure how to submit a request, please see the video at the bottom of this page.

Content Builders

CampusPress

The University of Leeds CampusPress tool uses the WordPress platform and can be used by staff and students. It can be used to support module activities or to create personal blogs, websites and showcases. Educators have the option to create a Class Blog which gives then an overview of their students blogs.

  • Pilot details: To start at the beginning of 2024.
  • How to get involved: If you’re interested in joining the CampusPress pilot, please submit a request via the IT Website. In the short description field on the form please enter: FAO of Digital Education Systems: CampusPress Pilot. If you are not sure how to submit a request, please see the video at the bottom of this page.

H5P

Create, share and reuse HTML5 content and applications. Content may be imported and exported. All that is needed to view or edit H5P content is a web browser.

  • Pilot Details: This is a limited licence pilot; updates on the pilot will be provided via the Digital Education Network (DEN) which meets monthly.

Noteable

Allows interactive coding lessons to be created using a cloud-based computational notebook service. This service supports a variety of programming languages including Python and R. integrates with Minerva for easy access and use.

  • Pilot details: Expected to run throughout 2023/24
  • How to get involved: If you’re interested in joining the 2023/24 Noteable pilot, please submit a request via the IT Website. In the short description field on the form please enter: FAO of Digital Education Systems: Noteable Pilot. If you are not sure how to submit a request, please see the video at the bottom of this page.

Podcasting

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).

  • Pilot details: Two years, expected to run throughout 2024/25 & 2025/26.
  • How to get involved: Access to both systems is available on a limited basis through an initial two-year pilot period, and can be requested by completing our Podcasting Submission of Interest Form

ThingLink

DES colleagues have been given access to ThingLink to help support teaching staff in the creation of interactive learning and teaching content. This allows them to turn digital assets into interactive materials by adding icons or tags to embed video, text, audio, infographics and more. Users will be able to hover over a tag or icon to interact with additional content.

Simulators

SimVenture Evolution

SimVenture Evolution is online business simulation software. The main areas of business covered within the simulation are: Sales & Marketing, Finance, Research & Development, Operations, and Organisation. 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.

  • Pilot details: SimVenture Evolution is in pilot across the University with licences available until June 2024. It does not currently have an integration with Minerva, staff manage their simulations via the SimVenture Control Tower and share them through the use of links.
  • How to get involved: Staff/Educators will need a Co-ordinator licence to be able to create/share simulations. Please see the SimVenture Evolution Staff Guides homepage on this site for more details.

SimVenture Validate

SimVenture Validate is an online ideation and Business Model Canvas platform. Your students can use it to ideate, map, test, and share their business ideas individually or in teams as well as think through the validity of their ideas resulting in an interactive Business Model Canvas which will be presented and can be used to start their own business.

  • Pilot details: SimVenture Validate is in pilot across the University with licences available until June 2024. It does not currently have an integration with Minerva, staff manage their classes via the SimVenture Educator Dashboard and share them through the use of links.
  • How to get involved: Staff/Educators will need an Educator licence to get access to SimVenture Validate. Please see the SimVenture Validate Staff Guides homepage on this site for more details.

How to submit a request via the IT website

If you're not sure how to submit a request via the IT website, please watch the following video for guidance: