I generally like embedding tools in my teaching and learning, especially if it's easy to use and students enjoy using it.
For me, half of the job is getting students to engage because I know if they are engaging they are learning and their knowledge is being embedded.
That's why tools like Canvas have been widely enjoyed and supported by students who enjoy additional elements (besides posted readings and PowerPoint slides aka 'the repository method').
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Context
Back in May, along with a few other course leaders, were invited to a briefing and training session with some people from LessonUp.
We also had a briefing and a Q&A from the owners of LessonUp in the Netherlands, via video call.
Subsequently, I was asked to put something together for today to present some information about it from a lecturers perspective.
At the end of these slides, I've put some honest takes on LessonUp based on my use so far.
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What is LessonUp?
LessonUp is an online platform that allows teachers to easily: create lessons, find and edit lessons created by others, and deliver interactive lessons in the classroom or remotely.
It also embeds into Canvas.
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What can you do with it?
With LessonUp, you can easily add interactive elements to your (existing) lesson.
Create a new lesson or upload your PowerPoint lessons and effortlessly incorporate interaction, such as interactive videos or a spinner.
Additionally, LessonUp components can assist you in managing your classroom with features like a timer and a traffic light.
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What can you do with it?
If you currently use tools like PollEverywhere, Kahoot, Mentimeter, timers, wheels or any other interactive elements such as videos or audio - LessonUp effectively and simply embeds all of that into one easy-to-use tool.
There are less restrictions and far more options with LessonUp than other tools. For example, there's no student number caps.
Additionally, there's no need to open up new tabs or boot up other software.
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What can you do with it?
There are several other features, including the ability to create assessments, track student progress and so on.
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Why use it?
Trinidad et al (2020, p1) studied student engagement and found that "Practices they felt engaging and effective were those high in personal involvement".
Therefore, it is good teaching and learning practice to embed activities that require students to be personally involved in their learning.
This helps to reduce student passivity and increases engagement.
LessonUp is a resource that makes including these elements easier.
Who doesn't like making things easier?
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General Thoughts
The idea of compiling various engaging and interactive tools in one place is, for me, really good.
It's really easy to use - if you've built a PowerPoint, you can easily build a LessonUp lesson.
Currently, you can import PowerPoint slides but once inside LessonUp you cannot edit them.
However, we were assured during the briefing that by early September, we should be able to import PowerPoint slides and then edit them with the additional LessonUp tools.
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General Thoughts
Several aspects of LessonUp is that it are predominantly aimed at school teachers, rather than HE lecturers.
For example, there's a lot of surveillance tools included that monitor and track student activity and progress, particularly on independent tasks.
As a HE lecturer, I'm really not interested in that level of scrutiny.
However, the functionality of LessonUp has a lot of potential to sit alongside Canvas as our primary VLE tools.
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How do I get started?
Email Pete and he will send you log-in instructions.
peter.wright@ieg.ac.uk
If you're familiar with PowerPoint, LessonUp is easy to play with.
However, there's a tab at the top called 'Channels' and beneath this 'LessonUp Academy' with a series of instructional content.
Additionally, look out for more on-site training on LessonUp in September.
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I almost forgot
LessonUp has an AI feature.
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LessonUp AI
"Maia"
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Summary
LessonUp is a new teaching tool that we have access to.
It's somewhat of a blend between PowerPoint, Interactive tools such as Kahoot, PollEverywhere and Mentimeter and Canvas.
It's really easy to use. If you can use PowerPoint, you can use LessonUp.
Embeds in Canvas
Further training will be available in September
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References
Trinidad, J. E., Ngo, G. R., Nevada, A. M., & Morales, J. A. (2020). Engaging and/or effective? Students’ evaluation of pedagogical practices in higher education. College Teaching, 68(4), 161-171.