Many staff will be delivering a portion of their provision as online, synchronous teaching and learning as part of Hallam's Academic Delivery Models, many staff will be developing and delivering a portion of their provision as online, synchronous teaching and learning. To support staff, this page provides:
- some example session templates to help staff with planning and delivery of online, synchronous, whole-group teaching and learning
- guidance for using Microsoft Teams and its features to deliver online, synchronous, whole-group teaching and learning
- additional resources including session recordings, a checklist of practical tips for design and delivery, and examples of bitesize learning and teaching activities to incorporate into sessions
Four re-usable, customizable session templates for online synchronous learning and teaching
The four session types below aim to offer a ready-made, adaptable and clear pathway to designing and delivering engaging, interactive, and activity-led online synchronous learning.
1. The Assessment Preparation session
This session engages students with the assessment criteria for a summative task. It incorporates two learning activities that aim to foster a shared understanding of a task’s criteria and how to meet them. Click to find out more about the Assessment Preparation session and access the downloadable, customizable session template.
2. The Interactive Lecture session
In this session type, tutors deliver some taught content and students take part in activities to check and develop their understanding. Click to find out more about the Interactive Lecture session and to access the downloadable, customizable session template.
3. The Collaborative Resource Creation session
In this session type, students work together in groups to learn by exploring a topic, gathering information and creating a resource. Click to find out more about the Collaborative Resource creation session and to access the downloadable, customizable session template.
4. The Scenario Based/Problem Based session
In this session type, students take part in group-work activities which aim to explore and solve real-world scenarios and problems. Click to find out more about the Scenario-based/Problem-based session and to access the downloadable, customisable session template.
Guidance for using Microsoft Teams
The Digital Learning Team have created a playlist of bitesize training videos on Microsoft Teams features such as polls, whiteboards, breakout rooms, recording sessions etc.
Comprehensive, on-demand guidance for using Microsoft Teams in teaching and learning is also available.
Please note: from September 2024, Hallam will no longer be using Zoom as a means of conducting online meetings or delivering online learning and teaching.
Additional resources and support for designing and delivering
'Bitesized' learning and teaching activities
In addition to the full session plans, these eleven examples of bitesize online learning and teaching activities (file download) are easy-to-implement, flexible and scalable.
Practical tips and hints for online, synchronous, whole-group learning and teaching
Feeling daunted by the prospect of delivering teaching and learning to module cohorts online? These tips for online synchronous delivery (file download) will help you design, deliver and reflect on sessions.
Session recording: Designing online synchronous whole-group learning and teaching
A session on how to approach the design of online synchronous whole-group learning and teaching, led by a Hallam Learning Technologist.
Hallam Teaching Approaches Menu
Whilst not specifically geared towards the online synchronous context, the Teaching Approaches Menu developed by Hallam provides a detailed list of teaching approaches and technologies to support their delivery. Many of these can be successfully applied to the context of online synchronous delivery.
