Talking Learning and Teaching

• Back in Session: New Ideas, New Courses, and a Big Year Ahead

  Talking Learning and Teaching returns with a brand-new season, and host Kevin Merry kicks things off with big updates and even bigger opportunities. In this episode, Kevin shares what’s been brewing during the break — including the launch of his new book Better Assessment in Higher Education, a series of new live CPD courses, and the brand-new UDL Night School for busy educators.You’ll also hear about some great limited-time offers, including:✅ Free toolkits with course registration✅ Free paperback books for early sign-ups✅ A free online book launch event coming soonPlus, Kevin puts out an open call for new podcast guests — so if you’ve got an idea or story worth sharing, he wants to hear from you.If you want to be a guest on the show contact me at [email protected]. Book onto a live course: Workshops/Courses | Dr Kevin L. MerryBook onto a UDL Night School Session: UDL Night School | Dr Kevin L. MerryGet a Toolkit as a standalone resource: Training Materials | Dr Kevin L. MerryBook onto the book launch: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1461782624179?aff=oddtdtcreator

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• Accolades, New Books and More!

  Exciting News Update! 🎉 In this jam-packed episode, we’ve got some big announcements you won’t want to miss! First up, we’re celebrating a new milestone for the podcast with some incredible accolades that reflect the amazing support from all of you. Thank you for being part of this journey!But that’s not all! I’m thrilled to announce the release of my brand new book, and in this episode, I’ll be sharing all the exciting details about the upcoming online book launch event! This is an exclusive opportunity to join me live, get a sneak peek at the book’s content, and even grab some special bonuses!As if that wasn't enough, I’ve got a special offer on some of my teacher training resources that will help you level up your skills and bring even more value to your students. You won’t want to miss out on this limited-time deal.Finally, I’m beyond excited to give you a sneak peek at the brand new Better Assessment in Higher Education course launching this spring! This online course will take your assessment strategies to the next level—whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or educator looking to make an impact.Stay tuned, because there’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to share it all with you!For teacher training resources: https://drkevinl.wixsite.com/drkevinlmerry/about-5-1 Contact me at [email protected] me @kevinudlmerry

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• Routes into Ed Development with Aaron Thom

  In this lovely episode we discuss the route taken into Educational Development with Aaron Thom from the University of Aberdeen. Most of us working in Ed Dev got here in a weird and wonderful way and Aaron's story is no different! Aaron talks to us about his academic life before becoming an educational developer. He discusses the key strengths and skills that he brought into his educational development role which helped him transition, as well as discussing the key challenges he faced too. Aaron provides some great reflections on how his view of learning and teaching have changed as a result of his journey. Sit back, relax and listen to Aaron tell his fascinating story about his route into Educational Development. Aaron's academic background is as an art historian, who specialises in the art of Caravaggio and his followers. He graduated with my PhD from the University of Aberdeen in 2015, which was supervised by John Gash. Aaron is interested in all matters of Connoisseurship, not just from the seventeenth century. He has published articles about Tommaso Salini and Battistello Caracciolo, as well as appearing in a short film about the authorship of the Perth Museum and Art Gallery's Baroque Christ displaying his wounds. Before transferring to Educational Development in the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) in 2021, Aaron worked as a Teaching Fellow in History of Art. He taught at all undergraduate levels and ultimately co-ordinated the Master's programme in Art and Business, as well as running fieldtrips. Aaron has also worked in CAD as an Academic Skills Adviser for Academic Writing.  Currently, Aaron co-ordinates the Principles of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education course (PLTHE), which sits within the School of Education. This course is popular with final year Postgraduate Research Students who teach or demonstrate, as well as early-career staff. Furthermore, he co-ordinates many staff development sessions around teaching, namely the Introduction to Teaching sessions for doctoral students, the Micro-credential short courses in Enhancing your Teaching, and the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education course for new academic staff at the University of Aberdeen. Aaron is interested in inclusive learning environments (online and in-person), Decolonising learning, and presentation skills.

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• HyFlex with Brian Beatty

  In this episode, we dive into the world of HyFlex learning with Professor Brian Beatty, the visionary behind the HyFlex model. We explore the pedagogical principles that guided its creation and how it meets the diverse needs of today's learners. Professor Beatty shares insights on learning outcomes across in-person, synchronous online, and asynchronous participation, revealing the factors that shape student success in this flexible approach. We also tackle the practical side of HyFlex teaching - how educators can manage the complexities of course design and delivery, and strategies to ensure equity and access for all learners, especially those facing technological or connectivity challenges. Finally, we look to the future: how will HyFlex evolve in response to new technologies and shifting landscapes? Whether you're an educator, administrator or curious learner, this episode offers a thought provoking exploration of the HyFlex model and its potential to transform learning and teaching. Dr. Brian Beatty is Professor of Instructional Design and Technology in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University. Brian’s primary areas of interest and research include social interaction in online learning, flipped classroom implementation, and developing instructional design theory for Hybrid-Flexible learning environments. At SFSU, Dr. Beatty pioneered the development and evaluation of the HyFlex course design model for blended learning environments, implementing a “student-directed-hybrid” approach to better support student learning.

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• Beyond Accessibility: Tech That Transforms Learning with Chris Bugaj

  In this episode of the Talking, Learning, and Teaching Podcast, we dive into the future of inclusive education with assistive technology expert Chris Bugaj. From captions that keep students engaged to AI tools that personalize learning, Chris explains how assistive tech is evolving to benefit all learners—not just those with disabilities. Discover practical tips on using tools like speech-to-text, visual aids, and even generative AI to make classrooms more adaptable and engaging. Whether you’re an educator, student, or tech enthusiast, this conversation will change the way you think about learning. Chris Bugaj is an assistive technology specialist and self-described "inclusive design facilitator" for Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. With years of experience in assistive technology, Chris focuses on transforming educational environments to make them more inclusive and accessible for all learners. He has authored multiple books, including The New Assistive Tech: Make Learning Awesome for All and Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year, both published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). A seasoned podcaster, Chris co-hosts Talking with Tech, where he explores augmentative and alternative communication, advocating for tech innovations that often originate for accessibility but benefit everyone.

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