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Past Event

D2L Brightspace Connect

With presentations, workshops and networking, the D2L Brightspace Connect event is perfect for your learning and professional development. You’ll discover tips and tricks and have the chance to connect with peers to share insights and best practices.

Date
Duration

1 Day

Location
University of Surrey
Lecture Theater Building
Lecture Theatre Block, Stag Hill, University Campus, Site, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
Theatre B and E
Lecture Theater Building
A group of people raising their hands in conference room
A group of colleagues talking and drinking coffee
A group of people watching a presentation
Three people receiving name badges before entering D2L event

Why Attend?

Meet. Share. Learn. 

  • Connect with a community of peers, partners and industry experts

  • Share your goals with others for insights, fresh perspectives and answers

  • Learn from experts, expand your knowledge and gain skills you can apply right away

Where?

University of Surrey

University of Surrey

Lecture Theatre Building, Lecture Theatre Block, Stag Hill, University Campus, Site, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom

Theatre B and E

Parking Information:

  • Parking is available in the main car park indicated on the map.
  • Registration is required via the link provided: https://permitmanagement.co.uk/events/uosvisitorparking/2O0TGSJ
  • All vehicles and their contents are left at the owners’ risk, the University of Surrey takes no responsibility for any loss or damage.
  • Please make sure you do not park in the pay and display car park as this is managed under separate guidelines. Parking is subject to availability.

Hotels & Accommodations

$$$$$$
Premier Inn Guildford North (A3) hotel
Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP,
United Kingdom
Distance to the University of Surrey: 8 min drive, 37 mins by transit
Holiday Inn Guildford, an IHG Hotel
Egerton Rd, Guildford GU2 7XZ, United Kingdom
Distance to the University of Surrey: 4 min drive, 14 mins by transit
Surrey – Asperion Hotel
73 Farnham Rd, Guildford GU2 7PF, United Kingdom
Distance to the University of Surrey: 11 min walk
The Mandolay Hotel
Mandolay Hotel, 36-40 London Rd, Guildford GU1 2AE,
United Kingdom
Distance to the University of Surrey: 10 min drive, 21 mins by transit
The Angel Hotel
91 High St, Guildford GU1 3DP, United Kingdom
Distance to the University of Surrey: 10 min drive, 13 mins by transit
Harbour Hotel Guildford
3 Alexandra Terrace, Guildford GU1 3DA, United Kingdom
Distance to the University of Surrey: 12 min drive, 18 mins by transit

Presenters

Amanda Darling

Amanda Darling

Senior Instructional Designer, D2L Read Amanda Darling's bio
Craig Fearon

Craig Fearon

Senior Director, Product Management, D2L Read Craig Fearon's bio
Louis Plunkett

Louise Plunkett

Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering, D2L
Michael Kavanagh

Michael Kavanagh

Senior Director, International Customer Success, D2L
Owen Patchell

Owen Patchell

Business Development Representative, FeedbackFruits
Rob Telfer

Rob Telfer

Manager, EMEA Higher Education, D2L Read Rob Telfer's bio
Zain Qaadri

Zain Qaadri

Solutions Engineer, D2L
Andrew Rogoyski

Dr. Andrew Rogoyski

Director of Innovation, Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI
Imran Ali Farzal

Imran Ali-Farzal

Co-Founder, KEATH.ai Read Imran Ali-Farzal's bio
headshot of speaker rachel foster

Rachel Foster

Principal Solutions Engineer, D2L
Placeholder image for speakers

Caron Betts

Student Learning Technologies Manager, Kaplan
Grace Wachter

Grace Wachter

Partner Success Specialist & Business Development Representative, FeedbackFruits

Agenda

Jun 13, 2024

Day One

9:00 am - 9:45 am

Registration Opens | Tea and Coffee Available

9:45 am - 10:10 am

Welcome

Speaker:

  • Roger Rees, Interim Head of Department of Technology Enhanced Learning, University of Surrey
  • Rob Telfer, Manager, EMEA Higher Education, D2L
10:10 am - 10:55 am

D2L’s AI Roadmap

AI is so much more than just making processes faster; it’s the key to unlocking potential. We’re blending 25 years of EdTech expertise and specialization with generative AI’s cutting-edge technology to create an enhanced learning experience – one that is easy, smart and truly human for all. Join us to hear more about D2L’s exciting AI roadmap plans.

Speaker:

  • Craig Fearon, Senior Director, Product Management, D2L
  • Louise Plunkett, Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering, D2L
10:55 am - 11:20 am

Coffee Break

Track 1 - Higher Education
11:20 am - 12:00 pm

Lecture Theatre E

Harnessing AI for Grading and Assessment with the University of Surrey and KEATH.ai

The University of Surrey’s Head of Digital Learning will outline their approach to AI as a university, as well as their pioneering use of and partnership with KEATH.ai to transform the assessment process.

The KEATH team will showcase this tool in action within Brightspace and demonstrate how the AI assessment assistant can save educators up to 80% of their grading time, whilst also delivering high quality feedback.

Speaker:

  • Professor Yu Xiong, Associate Vice-President (External Engagement); Chair Professor of Business Analytics; Director, Surrey Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications, University of Surrey
  • Imran Ali-Farzal, Co-Founder, Keith AI
Track 2 - Professional + Corporate Learning
11:20 am - 12:00 pm

Lecture Theatre B

D2L for Associations: Unlocking Revenue & Elevating Your Industry

Do you want to refine and optimise your association’s learning space? Do you want to understand how you can generate revenue from your education strategy? Do you want to encourage your members to network, share best practices and learn from one another? Is member engagement the path to unlocking higher financial returns? Can you measure the ways your association impacts your profession’s future?

Our live demo hosted by Rachel Foster, Principal Solution Engineer, will show you how to remediate fragmented learning and CPD journeys, enhance the experience, and add value for your members—thus improving your association’s ROI. We will explore:

  • Why a solid strategy is needed to power a long-term transformation of learning
  • Repackaging your educational offering to drive higher financial returns
  • The strategic advantages of profession mapping to tailor learning paths
  • Seamlessly integrating face-to-face events with digital learning
  • Cultivating engaging communities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing
  • Making an impact—raising overall standards in the profession
  • Ensuring data is used to inform strategic decision-making

If you’re looking to maximise the value of your association’s membership, you’ll want to save your seat on our live, product tour.

Speaker:

  • Rachel Foster, Principal Solution Engineer, D2L
12:00 pm - 12:05 pm

Room Change

Track 1 - Higher Education
12:05 pm - 12:45 pm

Lecture Theatre B

FeedbackFruits - Doing More With Less: A Pragmatic Approach To Pedagogy

How to limit the impact on faculty and the student experience during a turbulent time within the higher education market. We look at the pivot from institutional spending on pedagogical innovation, to how strong headwinds in the H.E. sector are creating a need for a different type of pedagogy solution.

Speaker:

  • Grace Wachter, Partner Success Specialist & Business Development Representative, FeedbackFruits
  • Owen Patchell, Business Development Representative, FeedbackFruits
Track 2 - Professional + Corporate Learning
12:05 pm - 12:45 pm

Lecture Theatre E

Course Design on a Budget: Maximizing Impact with Minimal Investment

In an era where training budgets are often tight, creating high-quality courses without breaking the bank is a critical skill. This presentation focuses on practical strategies for designing engaging and effective courses while stretching your financial resources to achieve the greatest impact.

We’ll explore how to source free decorative images that enhance your course aesthetics without costing a dime. Additionally, we’ll discuss the benefits of commissioning simple graphics that can be cropped and reused across different modules and materials. This approach not only saves money but also ensures consistency and coherence in your course design.

Creating a course blueprint is another cost-effective strategy we’ll delve into. By developing templated pages and a repeated welcome module, you can streamline the design process, maintain a consistent structure, and reduce the time and resources needed for course development.

Attendees will gain valuable insights and practical tips for making the most of limited budgets while still delivering engaging and visually appealing courses. Join us to discover how to design courses that look great, function smoothly, and stay within budget constraints.

Speaker:

  • Amanda Darling, Senior Instructional Designer, D2L
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

Lunch

1:45 pm - 2:25 pm

D2L’s Product Roadmap

Join us for an update on D2L’s product roadmap.

Speaker:

  • Craig Fearon, Senior Director, Product Management, D2L
2:25 pm - 3:20 pm

Panel Discussion | Innovation in Education and Technology: AI and Beyond

Facilitator:

  • Michael Kavanagh, Senior Director, International Customer Success, D2L

Panelists:

  • Kiara Kataike, VP Voice, University of Surrey Students’ Union
  • Dr. Andrew Rogoyski, Director of Innovation, Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI
  • Caron Betts, Student Learning Technologies Manager, Kaplan
3:20 pm - 3:40 pm

Coffee Break

3:40 pm - 4:20 pm

Empowering Educators & Engaging Learners with Creator+

Looking to create engaging courses that improve learner achievement and engagement? Well now you can with Creator +. In our live demonstration, we’ll walk you through how Creator+ diversifies the learning experience and supports recall and retention through organisation and reflection.Learners don’t want a disjointed and passive experience and educators don’t want to spend hours on admin and technical tasks. With Creator+ the learning process for students, and the course creation process for educators is enhanced without any added time or headaches. Discover what C+ can unlock for your institution today.

Speaker:

  • Louise Plunkett, Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering, D2L
  • Zain Qaadri, Solutions Engineer, D2L
4:20 pm - 4:30 pm

Closing Remarks

Speaker:

  • Rob Telfer, Manager, EMEA Higher Education, D2L
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Evening Networking Reception