3.9.2: Guidelines on the use of the Learning Environment, duo (Durham University Online)

1. Departments/schools using the online learning environment, duo, which currently uses the software Blackboard, or similar materials must ensure that students are aware of the use to be made of the package(s) concerned and are given appropriate support to enable them to engage with the electronic learning and teaching medium. Departments/schools must be able to demonstrate that such support is available and clear information must be included in the relevant student handbook(s).

2. Students must be provided with a statement of the use to be made of the package(s) concerned, including use of the medium to:

a. notify students of deadlines for assessments;

b. notify students of assignment topics;

c. notify students of changes to the timetable including postponement of teaching sessions;

d. submit work;

e. return feedback on assessed work.

3. Students must be advised of any issues arising from the above such as:

a. mechanisms for receipting assessed work;

b. submission of any hard copy documentation associated with electronically submitted assessments - e.g. a signed cover sheet declaring that the work is the student's own;

c. the need to keep a hard copy of assessed work, if appropriate;

d. minimum periods of notice to be given for timetable changes by this means;

e. minimum frequency with which students are expected to check Blackboard notice-boards etc.

4. Departments/schools must ensure that all students have the IT skills required to interact with the Blackboard system. They may direct students to take courses provided by ITS in the first year, but in that case they need to ensure that first-year students have sufficient IT skills to cope with the system and arrange provision of support for those who do not have these skills already.

5. As with all other learning and teaching materials, those which students must have in paper form should be made available to them in hard copy by the department/school free of charge, although they may also be placed on Blackboard (e.g. in case students lose their original copy). Other material may be made available in electronic form only.

6. When material is available in hard copy and electronically, students should be made aware of which is the most up-to-date version (e.g. by dating each copy).