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Digital learning supports blended delivery, flexible study routes, and inclusive practice. The updates to Articulate 360 introduces several practical improvements, with Rise 360 offering particularly useful enhancements that align well with everyday FE teaching needs. Below are the key updates, with a particular focus on enhancements within Rise 360 Manage Blocks — Faster Updates and Smarter Reuse Updating online learning materials can be time-consuming, especially when courses need adapted for different cohorts or delivery modes. The new Manage Blocks  feature allows you to select, move, duplicate, or reorganise multiple content blocks in one action, rather than editing content block by block. This makes it easier to keep materials up to date while maintaining consistency across courses. Try this in Rise: Open a lesson, select Manage Blocks, highlight several blocks, and drag them into a new order or copy them into another lesson. AI-Generated Captions — Currently Unavailable, but One to Watch You may notice that Rise 360 now includes AI-generated captioning tools designed to automatically create captions for video content. At present, these AI features are not yet available to use. Once accessible, this functionality has strong potential to: Reduce the time required to caption videos Support accessibility expectations more efficiently Improve consistency across digital learning materials For now, captions will continue to be created using existing methods. However, this update signals a positive direction for future accessibility support. AI Image Generation — Currently Unavailable, but Promising Rise 360 also includes enhanced AI image generation tools , allowing authors to create subject-specific visuals directly within the platform. At present, we’re not able to use these AI image generation features  within our institutional setup. In the future, this could support FE staff by: Creating contextualised visuals for vocational subjects Reducing reliance on generic stock imagery Quickly tailoring visuals to learner cohorts and subject areas Although unavailable at the moment, this feature highlights how AI could support more relevant and engaging learning design.  AI in Articulate 360 — Not Available Yet, but Worth Watching Articulate is increasingly embedding AI across its tools. At present, AI functionality is not yet available. As these features become available, they could: Speed up content creation and updating Support accessibility and inclusive design Help adapt materials for different learner needs For now, this is best viewed as a future opportunity rather than a current capability. In Summary The latest Rise 360 updates focus on saving time, improving flexibility, and strengthening accessibility  — These enhancements offer realistic, practical ways to improve digital learning design without increasing lecturer workload. As we continue to develop digital learning across West College Scotland, it’s worth keeping in mind that accessibility is essential for some, but useful for all .

Guess what? At West College Scotland, every student gets their very own free Office 365 account! It's like having a digital Swiss army knife with gizmos like OneDrive, Teams, OneNote, Outlook, and more. With your college login, you can wield these mighty tools on any gadget—whether you're at college, chilling at home, or running around like a headless chicken. Plus, you can dive into Office 365 directly through Moodle, making it a breeze to sprinkle these resources into your academic life. Office 365 is your trusty sidekick for staying organized, teaming up with fellow students, and turbocharging your study efficiency. Here are some handy-dandy tips to help you squeeze every drop of goodness out of Office 365 at West College Scotland. Keep Your Ducks in a Row with OneDrive Stash all your precious files safely in OneDrive and grab them from any device. Use folders to keep your coursework, notes, and resources from turning into a digital spaghetti monster. OneDrive support page Team Up Like a Pro with Teams Microsoft Teams is your go-to hangout for group projects and chit-chat. Your tutor might whip up channels for each class or project, letting you gab with classmates and toss files around like confetti. Use the calendar feature to dodge those pesky missed meetings and deadlines. Teams support page Jot It All Down with OneNote OneNote is your digital notebook on steroids, perfect for class notes, to-do lists, and research. You can even record your own voice, doodle like a pro, and clip web pages straight into your notes. OneNote support page Embrace the Accessibility Superpowers Office 365 is packed with goodies like Immersive Reader and Dictate, plus a treasure trove of accessibility resources to support your learning escapades. Accessibility support page Rule Your Schedule with Outlook Keep your calendar and emails in check with Outlook. Set reminders for those sneaky assignments, carve out study time, and corral all your important messages in one spot. Outlook support page Be the Anywhere, Anytime Student Start a document on your laptop and finish it on your phone or tablet. Just log in with your college account to keep your work hopping across devices. Office 365 logging on Final Tips Explore our full range of Office 365 guides and support resources for students. Main Office 365 support page

Introducing the WCS Digital Assessment Toolkit: Your Guide to Digital Assessment Tools We are excited to introduce the WCS Digital Assessment Toolkit , a new online resource designed to help staff at West College Scotland make informed decisions about digital assessment tools. You can explore the toolkit here: Digital Assessment Toolkit Why Was the Toolkit Created? Assessment is a key part of the learning journey, and choosing the right digital tools can enhance both the student experience and the effectiveness of assessment methods. With the increasing reliance on blended and online learning, we recognised the need for a central resource to guide staff in selecting appropriate digital tools for different types of assessments. How Can the Toolkit Help You? The WCS Digital Toolkit  provides a structured overview of various digital assessment tools, outlining their suitability for specific assessment types such as: Examinations  – Tools like Moodle Quiz for secure online tests. Case Studies & Written Assignments  – Turnitin for submission and academic integrity. Dissertations & Portfolios  – Moodle and Onenote for structured submission and feedback. Listening & Oral Assessments  – Google Forms and Teams for interactive assessment. Practical & Performance-Based Assignments  – Moodle Database, Stream, and YouTube for dynamic assessment solutions. Simulations & Real-World Scenarios  – Digital tools that support immersive, scenario-based learning. Each tool is reviewed with a focus on ease of use, integration with our existing systems, and the benefits it offers to both staff and students . We Need Your Feedback! This toolkit is designed for you, and we want to make sure it meets your needs. Please take some time to explore the site and let us know what you think. Your feedback will help us refine the toolkit and ensure it remains a valuable resource. Share your thoughts by completing the following Feedback Form: Feedback Form: Digital Assessment Toolkit Thank you for being part of this initiative, and we look forward to your insights! WCS Learning Technology Team

CoLT (Centre of Learning Technologies) is the dedicated support site for staff and students at West College Scotland, a leading further education college in the west of Scotland. Our platform provides comprehensive resources and assistance to enhance learning through technology. Welcome to the WCS Centre of Learning Technologies website - CoLT - designed to support all aspects of learning technologies, including working and teaching online. Why not start by viewing our News, Hints, Tips blog ? Sign up with your WCS Office 365 account to get new posts sent straight to your inbox so you don't miss out on training, support and much more. Use the menu and search bar to discover tools that will help you enhance your digital skills - and, for staff, support your students' learning! Check out the MS Teams area under Office 365 for all things Teams-related. If you would like to contribute a blog post or share examples of best practice, please don't hesitate to contact us at learningtech@wcs.ac.uk . Have questions? - see our FAQs Search the Library An easy way to search across the wide range of resources available from your campus libraries. Sign in below with your usual Office 365 login. Contact library staff with any access issues. Library_Search Boost Your Productivity: Top Office 365 Tips for Students Introducing the WCS Digital Toolkit: Enhance Your Assessment Strategies Supercharge Your Moodle Courses with Exciting New H5P Resources Designing appropriate assessments - Future Teacher free webinar - Thurs 28th Sept (13:00 - 14:00) Revolutionising Education: Embracing the Power of Artificial Intelligence and Authentic Assessment Resources for creating accessible content Socrative: Interactive Quizzes and Surveys Coming soon for Moodle 4 - Ally Accessibility Toolkit! New features and improvements to question banks in Moodle Recent Blog Posts Contact Us learningtech@wcs.ac.uk

Your West College Scotland Office 365 account OFFICE 365 Office 365 is free for Staff and Students it's full of the the tools you need. Be more creative and achieve what matters with Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Check the links below to for guides and tips to get the best out of your Office 365! 365 Tools Logging On Teams Outlook OneDrive OneNote Word Excel PowerPoint Sway Office 365 - some useful videos All Categories Play Video Play Video 01:08 What is Office 365? Microsoft's best productivity apps Discover how Office 365’s integrated experience can help you start and grow your small business. Empower your employees with the tools they need to collaborate efficiently, communicate on the go, and access files with ease. Run your business with Microsoft's must-have Business Apps, allowing you to manage bookkeeping, customer scheduling, referrals and more. Links: Get started with Office 365: http://msft.social/e5XhG3 Small Business Solutions: http://msft.social/jHNWQM Office Products: http://msft.social/UNppif Play Video Play Video 01:22 Get Office for Android Phone– 90 seconds Now you can create and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents for free on your Android Phone. Download the real Microsoft Office apps from the Google Play store today: link below! Word: http://ad-x.co.uk/API/click/mic12osotoffic3/am55581ce9b06041 Excel: http://ad-x.co.uk/API/click/mic12osotoffic3/am55581ce459668e PowerPoint: http://ad-x.co.uk/API/click/mic12osotoffic3/am55581ce5f86ec0 With an Office 365 subscription, you can edit and create new documents on your Android phone. Microsoft Office 365 delivers the power of cloud productivity to businesses of all sizes, helping save time, money, and free up valued resources. Office 365 combines the familiar Microsoft Office desktop suite with cloud-based versions of Microsoft’s next-generation communications and collaboration services—including Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Office Online, and Microsoft Skype for Business Online—to help users be productive from virtually anywhere through the Internet. Learn more about Office 365 at http://products.office.com/en-us/business/compare-office-365-for-business-plans/?=SOC_YT_SMBOpt_OfficeSku_officeandroid90 Play Video Play Video 06:40 Introduction to Office 365 Sway Microsoft Sway, an easy way to create presentations online: https://www.kalmstrom.com/Tips/Office-365-Course/Sway.htm Play Video Play Video 02:41 Sway Pro Tips - Microsoft Sway Tutorials Looking to create an even richer Sway? This video explores the different ways you can control how images are displayed including slideshows, stacks, comparison, and focus points. Also covered is using animated GIFs and embeddable content from around the web including maps, Sketchfab 3D content, and Office documents. Try it out at https://www.Sway.com. Play Video Play Video 08:22 Microsoft Sway - Create, Design, and Share Your Story See how to create a Sway in Microsoft 365 using a series of cards and how to use the built-in design templates to style it. Sway is meant to create presentations, but it is very different from Powerpoint. 🕒 Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:40 Create a Sway from a blank Sway 0:46 Title card 1:43 Header card 2:06 Text card 2:48 Comparison card 3:56 Design your Sway 5:30 Scroll direction 5:54 Custom palette 6:20 Templates 7:20 Sharing Learn more from Prolific Oaktree: 🌳 Next Video - Use Microsoft Stream to create and manage corporate videos https://youtu.be/QlcWyUbBJug 🌳 Related Playlist - Express Yourself with Microsoft 365 - https://bit.ly/full-tutorials #sway #microsoftsway #microsoft365 Play Video Play Video 23:13 The Beginner's Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint Learn everything you need to know to get started using Microsoft PowerPoint! You'll learn all the basics plus more, including: how to choose a design theme, add text and pictures to a slide, adding new slides, animating items, and more. #powerpoint Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYUPLUCkMiUgiyVuluCc7tQ/join ***Consider supporting Technology for Teachers and Students on Patreon***: https://www.patreon.com/technologyforteachersandstudents See below for recommendations on presenter remotes: Logitech Spotlight (Best of the best): https://amzn.to/30sPS6u Logitech R800 (This is the one I use now. Excellent but a bit pricey.): http://amzn.to/2vbPZY7 Logitech R400 (Cheaper version but still great): http://amzn.to/2vbG4Sg Here's my entire PowerPoint playlist: http://bit.ly/2PaOmRZ\ ***Consider supporting Technology for Teachers and Students on Patreon***: https://www.patreon.com/technologyforteachersandstudents Play Video Play Video 26:16 Microsoft PowerPoint Tutorial - Beginners Level 1 Here's my PowerPoint video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmkaw6oRnRv_qE6EFkCJE-Z73EPksgSd0 Are you new to Microsoft PowerPoint? This video tutorial will walk you through a beginner's guide on how to use PowerPoint 2016. Start making fantastic PowerPoint presentations after watching this video. Click on the timestamps below to jump to different parts of the video. PowerPoint Tutorial - Beginners Level 2: https://youtu.be/YcOq9LnBshY Read the PowerPoint tutorial here: https://teachers.tech/microsoft-powerpoint-tutorial/ 0:00 Start 0:52 Starting PowerPoint 1:31 Pinning to find easy later 2:45 Choosing a template 3:14 Tabs, ribbon, and launch button 4:19 Tell Me 4:45 Adding text in the title slide 5:18 Inserting new slides 6:54 Insert text box 7:10 Moving text box 8:10 Presenting your PowerPoint 9:14 Reorder slides 10:10 Add a quick design 11:14 Make your fonts look great! 12:20 Customizing your background in PowerPoint 15:02 Text options 16:37 Inserting WordArt 17:15 Insert images in PowerPoint 17:40 Formatting images 20:15 Remove background in an image 21:47 Adding animations to images 23:36 Adding slide transitions 25:09 Saving your PowerPoint DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and end up purchasing it, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support! Play Video Play Video 11:58 Top 10 Advanced PowerPoint 2016 Tips and Tricks This is a continuation of my Top 20 PowerPoint 2016 Tips & Tricks. It includes more advanced features and some additional tricks to help you become more productive using PowerPoint and Office 365. Check out the original PowerPoint 2016 video at https://youtu.be/DI5LNVts9nc Find how to present a PowerPoint video in Skype for Business at https://youtu.be/oNYslca64i8 Support me with your Amazon purchases, click here: https://amzn.to/2Kxp533 Contents 0:00 1. Add-ins 0:29 2. Design Ideas 1:45 3. Skype for Business 2:25 4. Screen Recording 3:33 5. Templates 4:33 6. Animate Images 6:04 7. Translate 7:29 8. Selection Pane 8:31 9. Link to Excel 9:29 10. Instant Slideshow 11:04 #seletraining #powerpoint #tipsandtricks

Some Hints and Tips of making your content accessible. Accessibility Universities, colleges, councils and other public sector organisations have a requirement to meet new digital accessibility regulations - the first deadline for which was on Monday 23 September 2019. Fix your Content Help improving your online content, making it more accessible, interactive and promoting engagement. Accessibility Guides Guides and resources to assist you make accessible content. Ally Accessibility Toolkit BB Ally has now been enabled on WCS Moodle. Click to find out more. Accessibility Checklist A checklist you can use to make sure your documents meet accessibility legislation. Windows Accessibility Windows ease of access, Narrator, magnifier, high contrast. SCULPT for Accessibility When thinking about accessibility, start with SCULPT. Structure, Colour and contrast, Use of images, Links, Plain English and Table structure. Visit the SCULPT website. Immersive Reader Video from Microsoft all about their free immersive reader. ReachDeck Link to ReachDeck (previously known as browse aloud) video guide Screen Readers Information from RNIB on Technology. Video Guide Video Guide from Microsoft on their very useful Accessibility Checker. Ability Net Fact-sheet from AbilityNet on creating accessible documents. Accessible Hyperlinks NC State University have produced an excellent resource on how to easily create accessible hyperlinks. Visit the NC State University website to have a look. Read AbilityNets blog: Is your public sector website prepared for new regulations? News, Information and Webinar Recordings on the implementation of the Accessibility Legislation News, Information and Webinar Recordings on the implementation of the Accessibility Legislation