As we reflect on a successful roll out of MURAL across all 9 departments, we continue our series of posts with our practical top-tips for facilitation.
1. Start simple
MURAL has brilliant functions for slick facilitation and media-rich contributions from students and staff, but we recommend you start simple and ease your students (and yourself) into using a new tool.
By starting simple you’ll remove barriers to engagement and ensure learning and progression can be accessed by all.
2. Start synchronous sessions with an icebreaker
We recommend that the first task you give your students in MURAL is light and low stakes, for example, a non-academic icebreaker.
This takes the pressure off your students as they use a new tool for the first time and will enable you to address any student queries before you begin any learning activities.
3. Be prepared to offer guidance
When your students are new to MURAL, be prepared to offer some basic technical support in the first session, for example explaining the zoom function or how to add a sticky.
Factor this into your first MURAL session plan and it will pay dividends.
4. Share technical requirements with students in advance
All digital tools have technical requirements, for example optimal browsers.
Ensure your students can participate in your MURAL session by telling them in advance about the compatible browsers and devices. This will give your students time to download a browser or secure access to a device in good time. See MURAL’s Technical requirements to run MURAL for a simple summary.
You may also consider sharing a mural and links to specific MURAL ‘How to’ guides in advance to give your students the opportunity to explore this tool before your first session.
5. Embrace experimentation
The Digital Learning team can offer advice and insights into what has worked well but we understand that MURAL is a very flexible tool that can be used in a myriad of ways and that your course, module, or lesson is unique. So, if you have an idea that you’d like to try, try it!
MURAL can be used remotely or in-class, and you can create murals that host synchronous or asynchronous activities made for the whole class, for a student team or for individual learners.
Essentially, if you think MURAL can enhance what you offer or how you facilitate it, try it out. (And let us know how you get on!)
6. Get support
When you request access to MURAL, you will be offered a 1:1 induction to help you get started.
If there is any aspect of MURAL use, however, be it learning design, facilitation tips, or ‘how to’ help, or (as above) an idea that you’d like help bringing to fruition, the Digital Learning team is on hand to help all year round.
You can reach us at dlsupport@falmouth.ac.uk