What were the challenges?
The introduction of new software for college-wide use for staff and students always presents an enormous challenge. We introduced the software to staff in October of 2020, which was late if we wanted to capture new developments and CPD opportunities for the forthcoming academic year. After extensive promotion, college-wide CPD, training, and support, we introduced and integrated Planet eStream into our teaching, learning, and assessment toolkit. However, several ‘teething’ issues were difficult to foresee, but came to light once used by staff across several curriculum areas.
What have been the main issues with the PeS software features?
Planet eStream has proved to be a worthwhile addition to the digital toolkit for Bury College. It has presented significant new opportunities in capturing interactive teaching, learning and assessment. As with all software, there is sometimes a difference between expectations and reality, and in the case of Planet eStream the differences were real but small.
Impact on Teaching, Learning and Assessment
In addition to the suite of TLA features in Canvas and Office 365, Planet eStream armed the college’s staff and students with an additional interactive media toolkit including:
- TV recording, saving and chaptering of TV programmes and film content.
- Interactive quizzes built into videos and film segments to promote learning and assessment.
- Recording of learners’ practical assessment sessions, uploaded to Canvas assignments.
- Video editing facilities to create bite-size TLA resources.
- Onscreen video recording to educate, promote, encourage, direct, teach across all subject areas.
The use of Planet eStream promotes digital skills, knowledge and confidence for staff and students throughout their learning journey. It also promotes sustainability through the active encouragement of online submission for all learner assessments, saving valuable physical resources, time effort, improving organisation and streamlining administrative load.
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