Teaching Matters Edinburgh

In part two of this discussion, Student Wellbeing Adviser Tessa Warinner chats with Grace Clark, president of the University of Edinburgh branch of the 93% club. They highlight the impact of financial anxiety and class disparities on student mental health and university experience. This episode belongs to Podcast series: Student Wellbeing. Link to Part 1: Student Wellbeing and the Hidden Costs of Financial Hardship. Timestamps: (0:00) – Continuation of discussion of Grace’s experiences growing up working-class in rural North Yorkshire (4:09) – Means-tested benefits and the student finance model (7:01) – Tessa asks Grace about her experience in high school with mental health education (15:14) – How to get involved with the 93% club (20:32) - Student Wellbeing Service at the university Transcript of this episode

In this episode, Tessa Warinner, Student Wellbeing Adviser at the university, chats with Grace Clark, president of The University of Edinburgh branch of the 93% club↗️. They discuss the challenges state-educated students face as they transition to university. Listen to how 93% club is making a difference in levelling the playing field for these students. This episode belongs to Podcast series: Student Wellbeing↗️ Timestamps: (0:53) – Tessa and Grace - Introductions(1:42) – What is 93% club? Who is it for? What do they do?(5:00) – How mental health and wellbeing of the members fit into the club’s goals(11:58) – How being economically and educationally disadvantaged can impact a student’s wellbeing(12:16) – Financial hardships and discussion around access to financial assistance(17:43) – Grace’s experience with growing up in a working-class family.

In this podcast episode, Emily Shaw, undergraduate student studying Interdisciplinary Futures at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, takes us on a journey of understanding 'interdisciplinarity'. Emily brings together voices of students and experts in the field, including Dr David Overend and Dr Gill Robinson. They explore its definitions, implications and real-world applications. Timestamps: (0:42) - Introduction to 'interdisciplinary' (2:43) - Student perspective  (3:51) - Dr David Overend's opinion  - What is interdisciplinarity? (4:55) - Could interdisciplinary way of working be taught?  (6:12) - About the potential areas of conflict or tensions between disciplines (08:49) - Dr Gill Robinson's opinion - What is interdisciplinarity? (11:10) - How have you undisciplined yourself in terms of looking at other disciplines that you're not trained in specifically?  (13:59) - How might we bring people together for interdisciplinary collaboration? (23:05) - Reflection and conclusion

In the final part of this three-part podcast, Wellbeing Advisors Douglas and Tessa talk to Dr Mark Hoelterhoff the four transformations mentioned in the Wellbeing in the Curriculum report, incorporating diverse experiences and what the next few years look like for the wellbeing in the curriculum project. This episode belongs to Podcast series: Student Wellbeing↗️. Timestamps:  (00:44) Douglas and Mark discuss the four transformations outlined in the Wellbeing in the Curriculum project for a couple of years ago.(03:54) Douglas and Mark discuss the importance of incorporating “diverse perspectives” into wellbeing initiatives at universities.(08: 29) Douglas further asks Mark what he would say to students who are uncomfortable with speaking about wellbeing in an academic setting.(12:53) Tessa asks Mark about what the plan is for the next couple of years. Transcript↗️

In the second part of this three-part podcast, Wellbeing Advisors Douglas and Tessa talk to Dr Mark Hoelterhoff about the examples of other universities work on bringing wellbeing into the curriculum and they discuss some of the potential challenges of doing so. This episode belongs to Podcast series: Student Wellbeing↗️ Timestamps: (00:45) Douglas asks about other university examples and Mark answers.(06:11) Tessa talks about her thoughts on buy-in and Mark adds his thoughts.(13:52) Douglas asks Mark about the challenges and opportunities in embedding wellbeing in the curriculum of different disciplines(17:36) Tessa and Mark speak on the impact of Covid on implementation and wellbeing attitudes. Transcript of this episode

In the first part of this three-part podcast, Wellbeing Advisers Douglas and Tessa discuss with Dr Mark Hoelterhoff the definition of wellbeing and touch upon the origins of a group project that Mark was a part of called 'Wellbeing in the Curriculum'. They cover themes of different perspectives around wellbeing, positive psychology and the importance of wellbeing throughout the university experience. This episode belongs to Podcast series: Student Wellbeing↗️ Timestamps: (00:43): Introductions(02:52): What do we mean by wellbeing?(10:57): What were the origins of the project entitled Wellbeing in the Curriculum?(15:46): Tessa talks about her experiences at university,(17:46): Mark discusses some of the challenges around implementing wellbeing into a large institution such as Edinburgh University. Transcript of this episode

In the second part of this two-part podcast, which is a continuation of last week's episode on PhD students' wellbeing, Sibyl Adam, student wellbeing adviser at the Student wellbeing service and Lorna street, a lecturer at the School of Geosciences discuss some of the practical difficulties in PhD life, such as isolation, cost of living crisis and the pandemic effect and how that can impact student well-being. Transcript of this episode↗️ Timestamps: (0:44) ‘going into an academic job is not for the faint hearted’ (03:48) impact of disruptions, cost of living, isolation, pandemic (10:43) Implications of transition to Doctoral training centre model from prior models of PhDs being associated with larger research projects (14:26) Going forward what can be done to offset PhD student isolation

In the first part of this two-part podcast, Sibyl and Lorna discuss the intersection of being a PhD student and wellbeing. They cover themes of cultures of overwork and acceptance of stress, relationship of student/staff wellbeing and individual vs structural responsibility. Transcript of this episode (02:01): PhD journey and well-being, stress as a health and safety issue(05:25): Why do you think stress is not taken seriously?(08:01): Conversations surrounding PhD students and well-being (11:38): Individual vs structural responsibility(17:17): relationship between student and staff wellbeing.

In this podcast episode, three Student Wellbeing Advisers (Douglas, Sibyl and Tessa) introduce the service, including 1-to-1 support, drop-ins and proactive activities. They also discuss some of the common themes in student wellbeing that they’ve seen over the past 2 years. Tessa discusses the significance of transition for students going from their family homes to an independent life as a student, especially when coming from a different culture. Douglas discusses the wellbeing challenges of online students studying from their home countries. The advisers reflect on the diversity of the student population, and with that the diversity of wellbeing challenges. Sibyl discusses the prevalence of isolation and loneliness amongst students and the particular barriers neurodivergent students might face when transitioning from the structures of family and school to studying at a university. The advisers then introduce the upcoming podcast topics for the Wellbeing series. ⁠Transcript of this episode ⁠ Timestamps: (0:45) - Introduction of the speakers and the Student Wellbeing service (2:08) - What does getting support from a well-being adviser maybe look like? (6:31) - What are the common themes in student wellbeing? (12:40) - Upcoming Conversations in the following podcast episodes

In this podcast episode, Kirstin Stuart James an academic and occupational therapist, shares the inspiration for her blog series. She discusses the link between her roles, offering a practical example of curriculum transformation through a pedagogy of occupation. This post belongs to the Hot Topic series: Through the Lens of Occupation↗️ Time stamps: (2:46) Inspiration behind the blog series and podcast episode (4:50) Human occupations, occupational disruption and occupational marginalisation (9:41) Framework for pedagogy of education: Links between Health and Education (12:09) A practical example of curriculum transformation from the MSc Clinical Education program (19:15) Conclusion Transcript of the podcast episode↗️.

In this episode, Dr Neil Speirs narrates real life stories depicting the challenging lived experiences of working class students at the University. He is a Widening Participation manager, practitioner and researcher at The University of Edinburgh. This podcast accompanies the July-August Learning & Teaching enhancement theme: Learning and Teaching Conference 2023. Transcript of this episode Time stamps: 1:06: Chapter 1: Getting there 2:19: Chapter 2: Class 19:00: Chapter 3: Solidarity 21:49: Chapter 4: Home time 22:26: Concluding remarks by Neil Speirs Music for this episode was provided by Hooksounds. 

The fourth and final episode of Generative AI podcast series↗️ features James Stewart, a lecturer at Science, Technology and Innovations studies↗️, The University of Edinburgh. This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Generative AI, discussing its influence not only in academia but also across industries, and delving into the key players in this dynamic landscape. Timestamps: (2:02) Academic integrity and Generative AI (4:47) Gen AI as a personal tutor (6:03) Broader technical landscape - key players and value chain (17:09) Series conclusion: Take home messages Transcript of this episode↗️

The third episode of Generative AI podcast series↗️ features Lara Dal Molin, a second year PhD student at the Science, Technology and Innovations studies↗️, The University of Edinburgh. Discussing some of the core issues associated with Generative AI technologies, Lara leaves us with a compelling invitation to ponder how we can guide our students in cultivating a responsible relationship with these technologies. Timestamps: (1:56) What is the impact of ChatGPT on digital divide? (6:13) What are the skills required for the use of chat GPT? How do you think these skills will impact digital divide? (9:17) What do you think about gender bias within the world of Generative AI?  (14:18) How can we benefit from these developments without compromising the safety of the users or data workers?  Transcript of this episode↗️

The second episode of Generative AI podcast series features a conversation between Irene Xi, an MSc student (Sociology and Global change) and Dr Vasileios Galanos, Teaching fellow at the Science, Technology and Innovations department, The University of Edinburgh. Irene brings in a unique student perspective to the current conversations surrounding AI Technology usage. Read the accompanying blog post Timestamps: (2:00) - How does it feel to be an MSc student at the University of Edinburgh in terms of coursework? (5:00) - In terms of marking scale, could you tell us what does a 55%, a 65% 75% mean to you? How does these numbers resonate with you? (7:20) - Why would students be tempted to use AI software to help with their essays? (10:55) - Have you tried these software at all, what did you see? Are they good, have they got any limitations? (13:45) - How do you think MSc students would use these AI technologies in 5 years from now? Transcript of this episode

The first episode of the Gen AI podcast series features Vasileios Galanos, a teaching fellow at the Science, Technology and Innovations Department, The University of Edinburgh. Vasileios shares interesting insights into word origins, history of Generative AI, the hype of GPTs and the implications and what future holds for this technology. Timestamps: (2:11) - What distinguishes generative AI and GPTs in particular from previously existing A.I. technologies?  (6:22) - What are the effects and the implications of hype for the use of this technology? (10:01) - What actually is a GPT and what are the current uses of this technology apart from literally generating text, where can we see this technology? (14:27) - How can we expect these technologies to develop and evolve in the future? Where can we see this going? Read the transcript of this podcast

In this episode, Dr Emily O'Reilly and alumnus Andrew Strankman from the School of Biomedical Sciences continue their excellent discussion on podcasting in education, this time going back to the basics. How do you record a podcast, and why would you want to? What tools would you need to begin podcasting, and what are some production tips worth remembering? And which kind of podcast would most enrich your course's delivery?  This is the second in a two-part conversation facilitated by Teaching Matters' Eric Berger. In this short series, Emily and Andrew expand on the 'whys, whats, and hows' of educational podcasting – and digital education more broadly – in light of their recent PTAS-funded research project on podcasting in education. 2.15 Podcasts as a 'continuum' – podcasts can take many forms (from the informational monologue to the group podcast), but which suits your teaching needs? 8.52 How does one even begin to make a podcast? Our speakers consider the tricks and tools of the trade. 17.05 Barriers to entry in podcasting, or their lack thereof: “Just jump in and record”, say Emily and Andrew, “it’s easier than it sounds!” 24.40 Student responses to podcasting – increasing engagement and sense of interaction 30.19 What should both teachers and their institutions remember about the use of podcasts in education? Emily and Andrew reflect on embracing trial and error. Transcript of the episode is available here. Music for this episode was provided by Hooksounds.

In this episode, Dr Emily O'Reilly and alumnus Andrew Strankman from the School of Biomedical Sciences introduces us to the specifics of their fascinating project on educational podcasts. This project, funded by the Principal's Teaching Awards Scheme, surveyed a diverse online cohort of students at The University of Edinburgh and their responses to teaching through podcasting. Taking us through the project's origins, methods, results, their discussion attends to how podcasting can revitalise student engagement, and how we might better exchange knowledge in online (and offline) classrooms.  This is the first in a two-part conversation between Emily and Andrew, facilitated by Teaching Matters' Eric Berger, which features both researchers reflecting on the 'whys, whats, and hows' of educational podcasting – and digital education more broadly. 2:00 – Emily and Andrew introduce themselves and their interest in podcasting, particularly in what the podcast form offers their students 14:41 – Our speakers expand on the particulars of their PTAS project, focusing on the kinds of students they interviewed and the feedback received 27:00 – The two consider what the 'best' kinds of educational podcasts tend to sound like 34:35 – Emily and Andrew reflect on podcasts from their perspectives as course organiser and instructor, respectively, mid and post-pandemic 41:30 – Emily, Andrew, and Eric discuss how podcasts can shake up traditional classroom dynamics between teacher and learner Our Decolonising the Curriculum podcast series was referenced in this conversation, which you can find here.  Transcript of the episode is available here. Music for this episode was provided by Hooksounds.

In this episode, we hear from senior lecturers Guy Fletcher at the School of Philosophy and Marc Geddes at the School of Politics, who share good practice by examining the successes and challenges of their student-nominated courses at The University of Edinburgh. This is the third episode of our Teaching Awards series, which features reflective conversations between nominees from the 13th Annual Teaching Awards, held by the Edinburgh University Students' Association.  Timestamps: 1:28 – Guy and Marc introduce themselves and their research topics 3:30 – The two outline their respective courses, considering in particular ways to make 'dry' concepts more compelling 9:53 – Guy and Marc assess the way their teaching has evolved over the course of the pandemic 15:21 – The two speakers discuss what their students were most able to take away from their courses 21:42 – Our nominees conclude by reflecting on why they believe their courses were nominated for Teaching Awards Transcript. Music for this episode was provided by Hooksounds.

In this final uncovering UNCOVER podcast episode, Ruth McQuillan and Marshall Dozier both core members of UNCOVER, describe key features of a good evidence review, and provide tips to novice reviewers on how to create a good evidence review. Madhurima Nundy, an UNCOVER Reviewer, shares her experience collaborating with staff in a review team, and what challenges she faced. Music in this episode is provided by hooksounds. 

In this episode, Neneh Rowa-Dewar UNCOVER’s student-staff liaison, and Thulani Ashcroft and Udani DE Silva both UNCOVER Reviewers, each discuss their roles in UNCOVER. Neneh highlights how students are supported in UNCOVER and how this support benefits students. Thulani and Udani describe how UNCOVER’s resources has benefited them. Music for this episode is provided by hooksounds.