Online learning

At Westminster we have been utilising digital and web-based technologies for many years to support our students’ learning.

Getting started

There are pre-arrival online learning modules available in Blackboard. You can access these by going to https://learning.westminster.ac.uk and signing in with your University username and password. When you have signed in, find the link (under 'My Modules and Courses' on the left) to Learning at Westminster. When in the Blackboard pre-arrival experience, work through the Learning at University materials.

Using Blackboard

We're using Blackboard Ultra as the main platform for learning, together with various additional digital tools, such as Collaborate, Panopto and Padlet, so that you can listen to lectures and join in with discussions.

You can find out more about all of these tools on our Blackboard Help pages.

If you’re joining us as a new student this year, you’ll be able to access BlackboardGo to Blackboard key information page after you’ve completed the online enrolment process.

Accessing resources and facilities

Library facilities

You can get help with library services through our online library chat or you can access our virtual guide.

We're also adding thousands of ebooks and other resources to our online collections, details of which can be found on our regularly updated Libguides news page.

Your Westminster OneDrive

Simply log in to OneDrive with your usual University credentials.

Careers support and resources

For details on the careers resources available and how to access our services, visit our Engage blog.

Borrow a laptop

If you need a laptop to support you with your studies, you can borrow one through our laptop loan scheme. Find out how to access this scheme on our Borrow a laptop page.

Student Centre

If you have a question and you are not sure which department or services can support you, we can help. Speak to a member of the Library and Student Centre team who will support with your enquiry. You'll find Library and Student Centre service points at our Harrow, Cavendish and Marylebone campuses, or you can get in touch via the Student Hub Live Chat.

Appointments with specialist teams

If you need to make an appointment with our student support services and Library, please visit Engage, our dedicated booking system for a variety of appointments, including Careers and Employability, Disability Learning Support, Academic Liaison and Learning Development, Financial Support, International and Visa Advice, Interfaith and Pastoral Advice.

Access the system via your Student Hub or via this page on Engage. For any questions, please contact us on [email protected]. Emails are normally responded to Mondays – Friday 9am–5pm.

Interacting with staff and students on your course

Blackboard and our other digital tools provide plenty of opportunities for you to interact with lecturers and students on your course. Some sites have discussion board facilities and these can be a great way of asking questions, sharing ideas and discussing thoughts with your tutors.

If you engage actively with these communication channels, you'll find that the online platform can provide a supportive learning environment.

Your personal learning network

Try to establish your own personal network of contacts and links early on. It's really important that you stay in touch with your fellow students, using whatever networks or social media you prefer. These groups will become your own personal learning networks, where you can exchange ideas, share resources and air your frustrations!

Communicating online

Communicating through Blackboard and other digital platforms is different to face-to-face communication. While it's perfectly natural to be yourself and let your personality come through, make sure you always use appropriate language – and before posting anything, think about how your message could be interpreted by others.

We have helpful library guides for Online Learning, including tips and tools for Online Group Work.

What's the difference between a synchronous and an asynchronous session?

When all students and your lecturer are present at the same time, the learning may be described as synchronous. This can happen in an online environment, with live streaming of lectures or real-time seminars.

However, it is likely that much of your learning online will be asynchronous, which means that staff and students will be engaging at different times and from different places. This has many advantages because it means that you are not tied to particular times, so you can choose when to engage online.

Engaging in an asynchronous session means that you have time to reflect and think about your response (eg to a discussion board post) before having to post something yourself.

Key tips to study online effectively

Dealing with technical issues

Inevitably there will be some challenges as we all adjust to a new mode of teaching and learning. Your lecturers, tutors and learning support providers are adapting their teaching and their content to make it available online.

Try to be understanding as we transition to this new environment. We are developing as much self-help support as possible, with the answers to many frequently asked questions on our Blackboard Help pages.

Create a routine

Because there may not timetabled sessions on-campus it can be a challenge to develop a routine. Nevertheless, you should try to maintain some structure to your learning.

You should think about what works best for you, for example you might:

• develop your own timetable and allocate periods of the day to different tasks
• plan ahead for the whole of the semester
• use assessment deadlines as key milestones in your schedule

Most importantly, don’t allow yourself to fall behind, and support each other with encouragement and reminders.

Develop your own working pattern

As well as the importance of a routine, it's also important that you develop your own pattern of working. This includes having a space where you can work effectively.

Even if you live with others, try to find a small space where you can concentrate and work without excessive distractions.

By engaging positively with online learning, you can help to create a supportive online community and experience an enriching learning experience. We all need to help and support each other to get through the current difficult situation.

Look after your wellbeing

When you study remotely, it's important to look after your wellbeing. Do keep in touch with your lecturers and with your personal tutor.

If you have any personal concerns or questions that are getting in the way of your studies, you can contact your personal tutor. You can also find support and advice through the Student Hub.

Visit our Self-help resources page for self-help guides, podcasts, well being apps and more.

For tips on how to improve your comfort when using technology, have a look at the Healthy Working: MOVE online guide.

If concerns about Coronavirus may be impacting your mental wellbeing, the following external information and guidance related to Coronavirus may also be helpful:

• Student Minds website
• Mind website
• Young Minds website

Exams and assessments

For information about exams and assessments, visit our Exam FAQs page.

Accessing software to support your learning

As well as an array of software - see our software list below – Westminster students and colleagues have access to LinkedIn Learning, which holds thousands of online courses, covering a range of topics, including:

• software packages that you need to use at University
• skills relevant to business and management, technology, and the creative industries
• study skills, soft skills and personal productivity skills
• leisure interests such as photography, and learning a musical instrument

Find out more on our LinkedIn Learning page.

AppsAnywhere

If you have a Windows 10 device, more than 170 applications – including many of those used on campus to support your courses – are available to you anytime and anywhere through AppsAnywhere.

To access AppsAnywhere, you'll just need to:

• open a web browser
• go to the AppsAnywhere site
• log in with your University username and your usual password. For your username, you should use 'w' and then the first seven numbers of your student ID (for example w1234567). Do not add @my.westminster.ac.uk

When you first launch AppsAnyWhere, you'll need to validate your device. This is quick and simple to do, but if you need help, contact the IT Service DeskGo to Service Desk site.

If you need help using AppsAnywhere, have a look at our Guide to Using AppsAnywhere.

For a list of the applications available go to the AppsAnywhere University software page.

Note that AppsAnywhere provides enhanced security for all users and helps to prevent viruses and malware infecting your devices, as you don't need to download and install any software.

Software available to you