Reimagining the online experience: Staff collaboration in building a blended apprenticeship journey

Description

This presentation shares key learning from developing a new blended learning model for the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship course at the University of Brighton. In preparation for the course launch in September 2025, a series of research-informed workshops were co-developed with Learning Technologists and the Learning and Teaching Hub to support staff. These workshops focused on digital pedagogies (Archambault et.al., 2022; Garrison et. al., 2000; Salmon, 2013) and equipped colleagues to design a strong, vibrant online learning experience that cultivates belonging and community for apprentices who attend campus only once per half term and study online each Friday.

The session will outline the pedagogical principles and practical strategies introduced through the staff workshops, including approaches to designing active and inclusive online learning, facilitating meaningful interaction and nurturing supportive learning communities in predominantly virtual environments. Drawing on early feedback from staff and apprentices, the presentation will highlight what has been most effective in strengthening staff confidence, shaping engaging online practices and establishing a sense of connection from the outset of the course.

Examples of tools, learning approaches and facilitation techniques that have worked well will be shared, along with reflections on what was learned during the process. The presentation will close by considering how these insights might inform future online and blended teaching across the School and University, supporting ongoing work to strengthen connection, accessibility and the overall student experience.

References

Archambault, L., Leary, H., & Rice, K. (2022). Pillars of online pedagogy: A framework for teaching in online learning environments. Educational Psychologist, 57(3), 178–191.

Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment: Computer Conferencing in Higher Education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2, 87-105.

Salmon, Gilly. E-Tivities : The Key to Active Online Learning, Taylor & Francis Group, 2013.