[:en]A day in the life of the LGBT+ officer[:cy]Diwrnod ym mywyd swyddog LHDT+[:]

February 11, 2019 ~ Mandy Jack ~ Leave a comment

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As the (open place) officer I work with students and staff to improve equality, diversity, and LGBT+ representation. Alongside this I am also in the process of completing my PhD in Economics, researching the role of sexual orientation in the economy. Recently I was honoured to have earned my inclusivity badge due to the work that I have done within the Students Union in terms of pushing inclusivity at the University. I was asked to write a short blog on this, and thought the best way to do so would be to discuss “a day in the life of the LGBT+ officer”

I woke up on Friday, had a shower, got dressed, had some avocado and eggs on toast (I’m a millennial I can’t help it) and made my way to Singleton. I decided to work in JC’s, because let’s face it they make the best flat white. Fridays are my day off the PhD and are normally devoted entirely to LGBT+ officer stuff. Being the LGBT+ officer can be very challenging due to it being a voluntary unpaid role which I have to balance alongside the PhD but for me it is the most rewarding thing, as I get to make real change at the University that can have real impact on people’s lives.

So, I opened my laptop, opened my LGBT+ officer email account and (as always) I was unsurprisingly inundated with emails. However, I genuinely enjoyed reading through them. Email number 1;
“Hi Sam, just wanted to let you know that we have an update on the Rainbow Laces campaign: we sold over 150 laces meaning a grand total of over £400 for Stonewall! Congrats! Rainbow Laces was the first campaign that I ran this year. The Rainbow Laces campaign is a Pride in Sports campaign run by Stonewall and I really wanted to introduce it at Swansea University as I myself have struggled with the anxieties of joining sports teams due to a fear of homophobia in sports (I now play Korfball which is super fun and super-inclusive). This year we introduced Rainbow Laces at Swansea University. We asked students to wear these throughout the week to show their solidarity with LGBT+ students and encourage them to feel welcome in joining sports. Next year we hope to encourage students to wear Rainbow Laces at Freshers Fair to signal to students that they will be welcomed within the respective wearers’ sport.

Email number 2; “Hi Sam, just a quick email, I have sent the below”. The email was from Grace Hannaford the Welfare Officer in the Students Union (who has devoted an unimaginable amount of her time to help me run the campaigns that I want to run (I couldn’t have done any of this without her). Grace was letting me know that she had just sent over an email about Bathroom Facilities on Singleton Campus. Me and Grace have been working hard over the past few months to increase the number of Gender-Neutral bathrooms on the Singleton campus. Gender Neutral toilets are important to trans and non-binary students; when speaking to students as part of the consultation one student explained that they often missed lectures due to needing to use the bathroom and not wanting to do so on campus due to the gendered toilets and a fear of being misgendered and this resulting in abuse. Grace and I were sending an email to get an update on how we can improve these facilities, and (hopefully) we will see some changes in the coming months.

Email number 3; “Hey! Here are the promo materials for LGBT+ History Month, hope you like them!”. The email was from the marketing assistant in the Students Union and I have to say the poster was GREAT!!! This year I really wanted to introduce more events in LGBT+ History month as well as a pride style event. With the help of Grace and Russ (the events manager at the SU) we have been able to create a programme of some amazing events (which can be found here; https://www.facebook.com/events/ical/upcoming/?uid=638560602&key=AQDw_lHcd1CJ8aap). One such event is Rainbow Grow; an event where we will be giving out potted rainbow chard to students and staff to encourage sustainability as well as raise awareness of LGBT+ history month (Rainbows; get it?). We have also introduced an interactive exhibition in both JC’s and Tafarn Tawe. The exhibit involves writing on a heart a response to the question “Pride is important because?” SUSU Pride will take place on 22^nd February and is set to be a super packed day. Starting in JC’s at 2pm we will have several panel discussions tackling different questions and themes surrounding LGBT+ issues in society today, such as Faith and Sexuality, Trans inclusivity and why it is important, and why PRIDE is still needed. This will be followed by some LGBT+ comedians before a night of Bingo. Yep, that’s right, I am getting students to play Bingo. With a twist though obviously! Bingo Lingo is an “exhilarating, party, raving, mad bingo night” and students love it! So, we will be queering it up a bit, giving some crazy prizes away, and celebrating everything LGBT+ for a night of Bingo at the Refectory.

Email number 4; “Hi Sam, looking forward to seeing you today so we can make some progress on the training” – Damn! Completely forgot that I had that meeting, and it’s in 10 minutes. The meeting was with Mandy Jack (SALT). Mandy and I have been working on a project that we hope will result in a new short film that will highlight the different needs of minority students and encourage staff to be more inclusive in their approach. The film will cover several minorities such as LGBTQIA+ identities, commuter students, Welsh language students, students with disabilities, etc. We hope to have the film ready later this year. The meeting was great; we discussed the project in more detail, decided who we would consult to get some feedback on the script, and set things in motion to move forward with the project. Plus, Mandy gave me my Inclusivity badge, a gesture that highlighted that the work that I was putting into making students and staff that are LGBTQIA+ more comfortable at University was worth it. I now wear my badge with pride, knowing that it signals to both staff and students that I am inclusive, will listen, and will do my best to help them, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify. Thank you Mandy!![:cy]

Fel swyddog (lle agored) rydw i’n gweithio gyda myfyrwyr a staff i wella cydraddoldeb, amrywiaeth a chynrychiolaeth LHDT+. Ochr yn ochr â hwn, rydw i yn y broses o gwblhau Doethuriaeth yn economeg, yn ymchwilio rôl tueddfryd rhywiol yn yr economi. Yn ddiweddar, roeddwn i wedi anrhydeddu cael fy mathodyn cynwysoldeb oherwydd y gwaith rydw i wedi gwneud o fewn yr Undeb Myfyrwyr yn nhermau hyrwyddo cynwysoldeb yn y Brifysgol. Gofynnwyd i mi ysgrifennu blog byr ar hwn a feddylies y ffordd orau o wneud hwn oedd trafod “diwrnod ym mywyd swyddog LHDT+”.

Dihunais ar Ddydd Gwener, cael cawod, gwisgo a bwyta afocado ac wyau ar dost (rwy’n filflynyddol dwi fethu helpu’r peth) a gwneud fy ffordd i Singleton. Penderfynais i weithio yn JC’s gan ei bod nhw’n gwneud y coffi gwyn fflat gorau, rhaid cyfaddef. Mae Ddydd Gwener yn ddiwrnod bant o’r radd doethuriaeth ac fel arfer yn ymroddedig i’m rôl o swyddog LHDT+. Mae bod yn swyddog LHDT+ yn gallu fod yn heriol iawn gan ei fod yn waith gwirfoddol heb dal rydw i’n gorfod cydbwyso ynghyd y radd doethuriaeth. Ond i mi, mae’n werth chweil gan fy mod yn gallu gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr yn y Brifysgol sydd yn cael effaith go iawn ar fywydau pobl.

Felly, agorais fy ngliniadur, agor fy nghyfrif e-bost swyddog LHDT+ ac fel arfer roedd yna orlif o e-byst. Ond, wnes i wirioneddol mwynhau darllen drwyddynt. E-bost rhif 1;
“Hello Sam, jyst eisiau rhoi gwybod i ti bod gen i ddiweddariad ar ymgyrch ‘Rainbow Laces’: rydym wedi gwerthu dros 150 o lasys sy’n golygu dros £400 i Stonewall! Llongyfarchiadau!”. ‘Rainbow Laces’ oedd yr ymgyrch gyntaf i mi redeg y flwyddyn yma. Mae ymgyrch ‘Rainbow Laces’ yn ymgyrch wedi rhedeg gan Stonewall ar gyfer ‘Pride in Sport’ ac roeddwn i wir eisiau cyflwyno ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe gan fy mod i wedi brwydro gyda phryderon o ymuno â thîm chwaraeon gydag ofn o homoffobia (rwyf nawr yn chwarae Korfball sydd yn llawer o hwyl ac yn gynhwysol iawn). Y flwyddyn yma fe wnaethon ni gyflwyno ‘Rainbow Laces’ ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe. Fe ofynnon ni i fyfyrwyr wisgo’r rhain yn ystod yr wythnos i ddangos eu hundeb gyda myfyrwyr LHDT+ ac i annog iddyn nhw deimlo croeso i ymuno â chwaraeon. Y flwyddyn nesaf rydym ni’n gobeithio annog i fyfyrwyr i wisgo lasys enfys yn ystod Ffair y Glas (Freshers Fair) i ddangos i fyfyrwyr bydd croeso iddynt o fewn y chwaraeon priodol sy’n gwisgo nhw.

E-bost rhif 2; “Hello Sam, dim ond neges gyflym, rydw i wedi danfon yr isod”. Roedd yr e-bost yma o Grace Hannaford, Swyddog Lles yn Undeb y Myfyrwyr (sydd wedi ymroddi llawer o amser yn helpu fi i redeg yr ymgyrchoedd rydw i wedi eisiau gwneud – ni allaf wedi gwneud hwn hebddi). Roedd Grace yn rhoi gwybod i mi fod hi wedi danfon e-bost ynglŷn â Chyfleusterau Ystafelloedd Ymolchi ar Gampws Singleton. Rydw i a Grace wedi bod yn gweithio’n galed dros y misoedd diwethaf i gynyddu’r nifer o ystafelloedd ymolchi Rhyw-Niwtral ar Gampws Singleton. Mae toiledau Rhyw-Niwtral yn bwysig i fyfyrwyr trawsrywiol a rhywedd nad yw’n ddeuaidd. Wrth siarad â myfyrwyr fel rhan o’r ymgynghoriad fe wnaeth un myfyriwr esbonio ei fod nhw’n aml yn colli darlithoedd gan fod eisiau defnyddio’r tŷ bach ond ddim eisiau defnyddio’r rhai ar y campws oherwydd y toiledau rhyw a’r ofn o gael eu hadnabod gyda’r rhywedd anghywir a hynny’n achosi cam-drin. Roeddwn i a Grace yn danfon e-bost i gael diweddariad ar sut gallwn wella’r cyfleusterau a (gobeithio) welwn newidiadau yn y misoedd i ddod.

E-bost rhif 3; “Helo! Dyma’r adnoddau hysbysebu ar gyfer Mis Hanes LHDT+, gobeithio dy fod yn hoffi nhw!” Roedd yr e-bost o gynorthwyydd marchnata yn Undeb y Myfyrwyr ac mae’n rhaid i mi ddweud roedd y poster yn WYCH!!! Y flwyddyn yma roeddwn i eisiau cyflwyno fwy o ddigwyddiadau ar gyfer mis Hanes LHDT+ yn ogystal â digwyddiad steil ‘pride’. Gyda chymorth Grace a Russ (rheolwr digwyddiadau’r Undeb) rydym wedi gallu creu rhaglen o ddigwyddiadau arbennig (gellir eu darganfod yma; https://www.facebook.com/events/ical/upcoming/?uid=638560602&key=AQDw_lHcd1CJ8aap). Un digwyddiad yw ‘Rainbow Grow’; digwyddiad lle byddwn ni’n rhoi ysgall ddeilen enfys mewn pot i fyfyrwyr a staff i annog cynaladwyedd ynghyd â chynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o fis hanes LHDT+ (enfys; ydych chi’n deall?). Rydym ni hefyd wedi cyflwyno arddangosfa rhyngweithiol yn JC’s a Thafarn Tawe. Mae’r arddangosfa yma yn cynnwys ysgrifennu’ch ymateb ar galon i’r cwestiwn “Mae ‘Pride’ yn bwysig oherwydd?” Bydd ‘Pride’ Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Abertawe yn cymryd lle ar y 22ain o Chwefror ac mae’n edrych fel bydd yn ddiwrnod llawn. Bydd yn dechrau yn JC’s am 2yp, bydd yna nifer o drafodaethau panel yn siarad am gwestiynau a themâu gwahanol sy’n cwmpasu LHDT+ yn ein cymdeithas heddiw; megis Ffydd a Rhywioldeb, cynwysoldeb trawsrywiol a pam ei fod yn bwysig a pam bod o hyd angen ‘PRIDE’. Bydd hyn yn olynol â chomediwyr LHDT+ cyn noson o fingo. Ie, ma’ na’n iawn, dwi’n cael myfyrwyr i chwarae bingo. Gyda thro bach! Mae Bingo Lingo yn “noson bingo bywiol, parti, ynfyd a gorffwyll” ac mae’r myfyrwyr yn dwli arno. Felly, byddwn ni’n rhoi gwobrau allan ac yn dathlu popeth LHDT+ gyda noson o Bingo yn y Ffreutur.

E-bost rhif 4; “Helo Sam, edrych ymlaen at gweld ti heddiw fel gallwn ni gwneud datblygiadau ar yr hyfforddiant” – Damnio! Anghofies i fod gen i’r cyfarfod yna, ac mae e mewn 10 munud. Roedd y cyfarfod gyda Mandy Jack (SALT). Rydw i a Mandy wedi bod yn gweithio ar brosiect a gobeithio creu ffilm fer yn uwch oleuo anghenion gwahanol o’r myfyrwyr lleiafrif ac i annog staff i fod yn fwy cynhwysol yn eu dull. Bydd y ffilm yn ymdrin â nifer o leiafrifoedd megis hunaniaethau ‘LGBTQIA+’, myfyrwyr cymudwyr, myfyrwyr yr Iaith Gymraeg, myfyrwyr gydag anableddau ayyb. Rydym ni’n gobeithio cael y ffilm yma’n barod tua diwedd y flwyddyn. Roedd y cyfarfod yn grêt; fe wnaethon ni trafod y prosiect mewn mwy o fanylder, penderfynu pwy fyddwn ni’n gofyn am adborth ar y sgript ac i ddechrau symud y prosiect ymlaen. Hefyd, fe wnaeth Mandy rhoi fy mathodyn cynwysoldeb i mi, roedd yn ystum a oedd yn tynnu sylw at y ffaith bod y gwaith yr oeddwn i’n ei roi i wneud myfyrwyr a staff sy’n ‘LGBTQIA+’ yn fwy cyfforddus yn y Brifysgol yn werth chweil. Rydw i nawr yn gwisgo’r bathodyn gyda balchder wrth wybod ei fod yn dangos i staff a myfyrwyr fy mod i’n gynhwysol, byddaf yn gwrando a gwneud fy ngorau i helpu, heb ots am bwy ydyn nhw, o ble maen nhw’n dod neu sut maent yn uniaethu. Diolch Mandy![:]

[:en]The Gift of Inclusivity[:]

January 15, 2019 ~ Martin Stringer ~ 1 Comment

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What did you get for Christmas? Among all the shoes, books, hand knitted jumpers, umbrellas and chocolates, I received one gift just before Christmas that was very different from all the others. I was asked if I would be happy to receive an inclusivity badge from the University.

This is a real honour and something that I am very proud to receive. In my previous role, before coming to Swansea, I spent two years leading on Birmingham University’s equality and diversity programme. This was a major challenge, not just because we were starting at such a low base, but because of the commitment we made, right from the beginning of this programme, to work across the whole range of characteristics identified within the Equalities Act 2010. This meant that we not only worked with the Athena SWAN group on gender equality, we also worked on BAME attainment gaps, disability accessibility, LGBTQ mentoring and raising the profile of the chaplaincy and the various faith societies. This was a crash course in intersectionality and we managed to make a significant difference to policies for both staff and students. At the end of what we designated a year of equality in employment we held a major conference for all staff across the University which was addressed by the VC and highlighted work done in many different parts of the institution. That work continues and has developed, with two people being appointed to the role that I left to take on my position here is Swansea.

Swansea University is, for very many reasons, very different from Birmingham and I discovered one of those reasons very shortly after coming to Swansea just over three and half years ago. Where, in Birmingham, we had started from a very low base, and almost from scratch on a number of these agendas, in Swansea I came into an institution where equality and diversity has been taken seriously for a number of years. Work was already well underway towards achieving an institutional silver award in Athena SWAN and PVC Hilary Lappin-Scott was championing the role of women in STEM, and across the HE sector, in a major way. Swansea was also scoring well within the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index that measures the work done within the institution towards LGBTQ equality. SAILS was also working hard around BAME attainment and disability issues in relation to our student community. I found my own role to be far more one of supporting others who were already developing the initiatives and activities needed, rather than one of prompting those initiatives in the first place.

I have, of course, continued to support the work of the LGBTQ staff group and initiatives towards LGBTQ inclusivity across the University. I have spoken at a number of conferences and events that have encouraged or explored aspects of gender or LGBTQ equality and supported those who are working in this area in different Colleges. I also helped to organise a conference, in September 2016, on LGBTQ inclusivity within the curriculum, developing some of the work that I had began with colleagues back in Birmingham. Beyond Swansea, I have attended events on LGBTQ equality at a national level and was very honoured to be invited last February to speak at a LGBTQ history month event in the University of South Wales.

The other area in which I have tried to work specifically around equality and inclusivity at Swansea has been within the field of religion. Work around gender, BAME, disability or LGBTQ inclusivity is often recognised and understood, that around religion is not so clearly identifiable. Religion and belief, however, is one of the protected characteristics within the equality act and in a community, such as that at Swansea University, where we have a significant number of overseas students, then the place of religion is important to many individuals and to the community as a whole. Once again, however, there is already considerable work being undertaken in this area, and my role is one of being supportive and encouraging others to engage in a constructive way. I have been involved in the reorganisation of the chaplaincy and the appointment of our new chaplain, Mandy Williams, and I have taken an active role within a number of events, including offering a talk to the Newman Society on why I became a Catholic.

There is, as I have suggested, some incredible work going on here at Swansea in all areas of equality and inclusivity and it is great to see that some of this work is now being recognised through the inclusivity badges. Our great concern, however, as with so much across the University, is one of co-ordination and co-operation. Those involved in the various initiatives around equality and diversity do not always co-ordinate their activities such that each supports the other and we benefit from a momentum that is greater than the individual initiatives. It is beginning to happen more, but there is certainly much more that could be done. Where I think this is most clear is in the relationship between staff and students. Many of the initiatives, campaigns and activities, do still tend to focus on issues relating either to staff or to students. Only occasionally do both groups come together, with the support of senior managers, to make a difference across the University as a whole. We are currently in a time of considerable change, and so perhaps this is the time to rectify this failure. Perhaps now is the time to recognise all the work that is happening, across the different characteristics, and among both staff and students, and to begin to plan an event for the whole University, perhaps to welcome the new VC later this year, that celebrates all that Swansea is doing in this area. You never know, we might surprise ourselves by just how much we have to give.[:]

SAILS Community of Practice for staff supporting students with disabilities

May 3, 2018November 1, 2022 ~ Mandy Jack ~ Leave a comment

[:en]I recently attended a SAILS community of practice meeting for staff supporting students with disabilities. I attend these meeting regularly, and they are open to all staff interested in developing a more inclusive practice. I attend not only for my own CPD, but also to offer any support that I feel that we here at SALT, and in fact, colleagues elsewhere on campus, can provide. It was a great opportunity in itself to meet other people who strive to support others as they learn and teach. I recommend that you attend every so often to keep yourselves up to date with current developments, initiatives, and processes. Remember that inclusivity is a journey, not a destination and that we can all be better at what we do.

Today I was asked to complete a feedback questionnaire, and to add my comments and suggestions. I was asked ‘What might I do as a result of this meeting?’. We have all put this type of question on our feedback forms, but it struck me that I hadn’t thought about what I would be doing, other than selfishly enjoying its fruitfulness! So I was duly prompted to share what I had gained from the session. My main takeaway is that you shouldn’t take departmental titles at their face value in terms of what they can offer you. Take the Transcription Center for example. They provide an amazing service to support people with a visual impairment, (not only for Swansea University students and staff either) see their web page for details of their breadth. As well as giving an overview of what her department does, Tina also gave advice and guidance on how best to support all our students and colleagues when we communicate with them, by considering the methods we use and by making small changes to our practices. (See the guide below for details.)

Here are the papers that were shared at the meeting and the links to the departments presenting. Enjoy!

STAS-Presentation- COP 26-04-2018 Link to their Website: https://myuni.swan.ac.uk/myuni-academic-study-services/cas/stas/

SUTC ppt SAILS 26.04.2018 by Tina Weber. Link to their Website: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/sutc/

Managing Distressed Students 18-04-18 by Nigel Mason. Link to their Website: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/wellbeing/autistic_spectrum_conditions_service/

Please let me know what you think, and if there is anything that I can help with in terms of signposting for various support systems, please get in touch: m.j.jack@swansea.ac.uk, or take a look at the CDP Inclusivity patch on Blackboard by clicking the images below and following the instructions guides. You should also take a look at the SAILS website here: http://sails.swan.ac.uk/

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Ada Lovelace Day – Reflection and Inclusivity links

October 18, 2017February 7, 2023 ~ Rhian Ellis ~ Leave a comment

Reflections on ‘Ada Lovelace Day’ – Implications for ‘Inclusivity’ in Learning and Teaching.

It was my pleasure to attend this year’s Ada Lovelace Day event on October 12^th at Swansea University, along with my SALT colleague Jacqui Neale. The event featured the keynote speaker Professor Joy Merrell from the College of Human and Health Sciences, also winner of the 2017 Mary Williams Award.

What is Ada Lovelace Day?

It is an annual, international event held to celebrate the achievements of Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), an English mathematician and writer chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage’s proposed mechanical general purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She is regarded to be the first to recognise the full potential of a ‘computing machine’ and the first computer programmer. was founded by Suw Charman Anderson in 2009 and now aims to raise the profile of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and maths (STEM) – more recently embracing medicine too (STEMM).

‘From here to equality…’

At the event, Professor Joy Merrell shared her reflections on her professional career from practice to academia as a Public Health nurse, highlighting factors which facilitated and impeded her career progression. In an engaging and inspiring presentation, she took us through her journey towards promoting equality and diversity in the University, and her vision for the future. In recognition of her individual contributions to the University’s culture and community, Professor Merrell has been attributed the honour of the 2017 Mary Williams Award.

What is the ‘Mary Williams Award’?

Mary Williams (1883-1977) became the first woman to be appointed to an established Chair at a UK University when she became professor of French language and literature at Swansea University (previously called University College Swansea) in 1921. Established in 2014, the Mary Williams Award acknowledges particular achievements of individuals in supporting the career development of colleagues and/or students, with a particular focus on removing barriers that prevent development, promoting and/or providing equal opportunities for all and supporting the University’s equality agenda to utilise all of our talent.

Swansea University Celebrates a Silver ‘Athena SWAN’ Award!

Among her many achievements, Prof Joy Merrell is the Chair of the College of Human and Health Science’s Athena SWAN self-assessment team, which recently contributed to the University gaining its Silver Award. Athena SWAN is a charter scheme run by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU), which recognises advancement of gender equality in terms of representation, progression and success for all. Swansea University is the only University or HEI to receive a silver institutional award in the latest round (out 146 members). The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

What are the implications for inclusivity in learning and teaching?

As SALT representatives, we fully support and promote inclusivity in learning and teaching. Gender equality is a key factor in a range of topics addressed in the CPD module on ‘Inclusivity’ created by Mandy Jack, for example ‘Unconscious Bias’ and ‘Inclusive Pedagogy’. The ‘Bitesize’ element of the PG Cert HE is available for all staff. The course is under development and Mandy would therefore welcome your ideas and opinions. There is a blog section where members of staff are encouraged to post valuable, up to date information about ‘Inclusive Practice’ in their particular discipline. Mandy will also be supplementing the online content with workshops.

Take a look at our SALT website to find out more about Mandy’s Inclusivity CPD course.
Find out more about the ‘Inclusivity’ CPD course here.

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AdaLovelaceDay17

For more information please contact:-

r.e.ellis@swansea.ac.uk

m.j.jack@swansea.ac.uk

And see ‘Equality in Science’ and ‘Athena SWAN on Swansea University’s website for more information on gender initiatives in STEM/M.

[:en]Looking for inspiration in your teaching?[:]

March 24, 2017 ~ Helen Davies ~ Leave a comment

[:en]A while ago, I came across a website (via twitter, incidentally) called Learning Wheel. This particular site is a community site where you can collaborate and share resources or technology that can be used to enhance your teaching or professional development.

Each wheel is split into 4 sections and each section has a series of ‘spokes’. To quote Learning Wheel themselves:

“LearningWheel is a model of digital pedagogy designed to enhance learning and develop digital literacy skills. It has several unique layers:

Visual pedagogically informed tool
Created by practitioners for practitioner
Categorised in to four pedagogic ‘modes of engagement’
Can be ‘Resource’ specific
Can be ‘Contextualised’ to a subject area
Can be ‘level’ specific
Promote free and accessible digital resources
Collaborative approach
International perspective
Scalability: flexible and adaptable”

There are two that stand out particularly for SALT, and one of these are in the subject resources and is aimed at the trainee teacher, although it’s just as useful for practising teachers too:

http://learningwheel.co.uk/2016/05/trainee-teacher/

The other can be found in the resources section, and is focussed on Assistive Technologies:

http://learningwheel.co.uk/2016/06/assistivetech-twitter/

There are lots of subject specific wheels too, so have a look. You may find some useful resources for your discipline! If you feel you can create one, then there is an option to be the captain of your own learning wheel.

As with all collaborative resources, the resources contained within each of these learning wheels are not necessarily used by Swansea University, but if you are interested in any of these tools and want to know more then SALT would be more than happy to look at some of these with you and suggest alternatives where possible.

If you do use some of these learning wheels, please share it with @learningwheel and also with @susaltteam or contact SALT so that we can promote the good work that is going on, not just in Swansea but further afield.

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[:en]Inclusivity CPD[:cy]DPP (Datblygiad Proffesiynol Parhaus) Cynwysoldeb[:]

March 15, 2017 ~ Mandy Jack ~ Leave a comment

[:en]SALT would like to welcome you to our first CPD Byte. We have created a Blackboard course called CPD Inclusivity which is designed to help all teaching and support staff to develop a more inclusive approach to their role. The course contains lots of information about your obligations in terms of the law and Swansea University’s policies regarding provision for the full range of protected characteristics.

The course is under development and therefore we would welcome your ideas and opinions. There is a blog section where members of staff are encouraged to post valuable, up to date information about Inclusive Practice in their particular discipline. We will also be supplementing the online content with workshops. The first one is ‘Being an Inclusive Personal Tutor’, which we are working on at the moment.

I am hoping that the course content itself, and the need to be better at what we do, will be enough motivation to take part in the Inclusivity CPD patch, but I anticipate that badges embed an additional incentive to learn.

The idea is that staff can experience the instructional content, delivered in the module, and then be rewarded with a digital image of a “badge” upon completion. These digital badges can serve as recognisers of certifiable skills.

You may already be enrolled, so look out for the CDP Inclusivity in your Current Modules 1617. If you can’t see the module, follow the instructions below.

First ensure that you are logged on to Blackboard
Click on http://bit.ly/CPDInclusivity
Click on the “Click Here to Enrol” link
Click on the green + Enrol button on the left
Let Mandy Jack know how you get on m.j.jack@swansea.ac.uk

[:cy]Hoffai Academi Dysgu ac Addysgu Abertawe (SALT) eich croesawu i’ch Beit DPP cyntaf. Rydym wedi creu cwrs Blackboard o’r enw DPP Cynwysoldeb, y’i nod yw helpu’r holl staff addysgu a chymorth i ddatblygu ymagwedd fwy cynhwysol yn eu rôl. Mae’n cynnwys llawer o wybodaeth am eich dyletswyddau yn unol â’r gyfraith a pholisïau Prifysgol Abertawe o ran darpariaeth ar gyfer yr ystod lawn o nodweddion gwarchodedig.

Mae’r cwrs wrthi’n cael ei ddatblygu, felly byddem yn croesawu’ch syniadau a’ch barn. Ceir adran blogio lle anogir aelodau staff i roi gwybodaeth gyfredol werthfawr am Arfer Cynhwysol yn eu disgyblaethau penodol. Byddwn yn ychwanegu at y cynnwys ar-lein drwy weithdai hefyd. Yr un cyntaf yw ‘Bod yn Diwtor Personol Cynhwysol’, yr ydym yn gweithio arno ar hyn o bryd.

Gobeithiaf y bydd cynnwys y cwrs ei hun, a’r angen i wneud yr hyn a wnawn yn well, yn ddigon o ysgogiad i gymryd rhan yn y cwrs DPP Cynwysoldeb, ond rhagwelaf y bydd bathodynnau yn ysgogiad ychwanegol i ddysgu.

Y syniad yw y gall staff brofi’r cynnwys cyfarwyddol, a gyflwynir yn y modiwl, yna cael eu gwobrwyo â llun digidol o fathodyn ar ôl ei gwblhau. Gall y bathodynnau digidol ddynodi sgiliau ardystiadwy.
Mae’n bosib eich bod wedi’ch cofrestru eisoes, felly cadwch lygad am DPP Cynwysoldeb yn eich Modiwlau Cyfredol 1617. Os na welwch y modiwl, dilynwch y cyfarwyddiadau isod.

Yn gyntaf, sicrhewch eich bod wedi mewngofnodi i Blackboard
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Cliciwch ar y botwm gwyrdd + Enrol ar y chwith
Dywedwch wrth Mandy Jack sut yr aeth pethau drwy e-bostio m.j.jack@abertawe.ac.uk

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