University Information and External Examining Updates

Dear External Examiners,

I wanted to share some information with you all, in relation to your tenure here at the University of Derby and your ITS (Information Technology Services) access. 

There have been some ITS changes recently and these have had an impact on how External Examiners gain support with access issues. 

Firstly, please remind yourself of our website to see if you can self serve to overcome any difficulties with logging in to our systems - BlackBoard Access for External Examiners - External Examiners - University of Derby

Secondly, the most significant change is in relation to how you access ITS support. Via the link shared above, you can request support from ITS, this involves submission of a request form: https://itservicecentre.derby.ac.uk/hc/en-us/requests/new . 

The steps for you to complete are outlined on the link shared above; however the most important thing to remember is that when you select an option for "What does your issue relate to" - please ensure you select External Examiners, so that ITS are aware of what guidance to offer.  Subsequently, once an automation has been achieved within ITS, our team will be notified automatically that a request from an External Examiner has been submitted, meaning we can step in promptly to support as required. 

Another important point to remember, when submitting a request, is to include the email address you have access to at that point in time in the "email" field, this will ensure you receive any updates on the issue raised. Also when communicating with ITS, please ensure you are aware and report your MENT number (if you are unsure of this, please contact our team at externalexaminers@derby.ac.uk.

An additional update separate to the above:

Virtual Induction Event

In October we held a University of Derby virtual Induction Event, for those External Examiners that have recently started their tenure with us.  We have added a recording of the event onto our External Examiners webpages so that all of our External Examiners have access.

We hope that you find all of this information useful, please let us know if you have any questions.

Dear External Examiners, 

We are writing to you to inform you of some information in relation to two key updates for the 2024/2025 Academic Year. One key change is Blackboard Ultra, a new modern Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) being launched by the University of Derby for the 2024/2025 Academic Year. A further change is the launch of the Quality Monitoring and Evaluation Platform (QMEP), the product of digitising the University of Derby Continual Monitoring process. 

Blackboard Ultra 

The move to ULTRA will provide us with a modern VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) to support our future-fit academic offer, which by design inspires collaboration, connectivity, digital inclusion, and authentic applied learning experiences. 

There has been a phased approach to this launch, an Early Adopters programme ran in semester one and semester two of 2023/24 and focused on a sample of modules, that were being modelled on the new ULTRA platform. With support from the Digital Learning team, these module teams have had the opportunity to design and deliver in the new platform and have provided feedback on pedagogical approaches, usability, structure, and the student learning experience to inform the full roll out to all colleagues for the 2024/25 Academic Year. Some of you may have received an earlier communication about this if the modules that were included in the sample were part of your External Examiner duties. 

All University modules and programmes will be delivered through this platform from September 2024 onwards (May 2024 for modules and programmes delivered online).

Please find attached guides to support you as an External Examiner: The first attachment is for the ULTRA 2023 platform and will be applicable to online modules and programmes from May 2024 and all modules and programmes from September 2024. The second attachment is the original Blackboard guidance for 2023 (for reference).  These guides may be useful to you when trying to undertake your External Examining duties or for liaising with your programme leaders as required. We will be updating our External Examiner webpage in due course to reflect this updated guidance and the move to Blackboard Ultra.

Please access the links below to individual YouTube videos showcasing the benefits of Blackboard Ultra:

• Blackboard Ultra Improved user experience for students - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmWOaea_VzQ&ab_channel=UniversityofDerby
• Blackboard Ultra - Inclusive by design - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBuwtAYl_Dc&ab_channel=UniversityofDerby
• Blackboard Ultra - Intuitive and user-friendly platform for academic staff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpljSZq3wMQ&ab_channel=UniversityofDerby
• Blackboard Ultra - Progress Tracking and Analytics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RxMyEnocrM&ab_channel=UniversityofDerby
• Blackboard Ultra - Microsoft Teams integration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs8FVf8b-8k&ab_channel=UniversityofDerby
• Blackboard Ultra - New module template provides clarity and consistency for students - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8IGiGMeRvE&ab_channel=UniversityofDerby

Quality Monitoring and Evaluation Platform (QMEP)

Digitisation of the processes associated with Continual Monitoring is due to be implemented for the 2024-25 Academic Year.  The new Quality Monitoring & Evaluation Platform (QMEP) will become the single location for completion of Assessment Verification (Internal and External) and Moderation of Assessed Student Work (Internal and External).

We will be providing further information and guidance on this in future communications and also via our External Examiner webpage. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team and/or your programme leader.