- Develop an IHAP-specific online asynchronous learning standards and requirements framework and guidelines. To ensure quality, pedagogical requirements and compliance of the digital learning design of online asynchronous learning experiences, with a specific focus on addressing the design quality of H5P objects, and ensuring that all online asynchronous learning content is fully established in and across modules and are consistent and coherent in their design.
- Leading and working with bioscience lecturers and the standards and requirements framework and guidelines, establish expectations and what a complete module looks like with online asynchronous learning material and activities. Addressing; what does an hour’s worth of online asynchronous content look like that is not overwhelming.
Below is the final document I produced and there are two projects underway that will test this process. Also below is feedback back that I received during it's development. Which I appreciated to make it as clear and effective as it can be. I often find with things like this that I have to do the broader thinking and detail first which is the main challenge, and next is to present it in a palatable and accessible way. So I appreciated the feedback to help balance detail and readability through a bit of fine tuning. However, with these type of things I always take a scholarship opportunity to educate readers on the importance of the why.
Digital Curriculum Support and Developer - "This reads really well and has been thoughtfully put together. I have added a couple of recommendations and noted one or two minor typos, but overall, thank you for developing this Dan, as it helps to lend structure and more credibility to the asynchronous work."Head of Department - "Thank you for the work on this and for sending it through...It would be good to have a chat through. I think the detail is really valuable, particularly for the team to refer to when they are starting asynchronous learning but a short 1 -2 page summary of key points would be helpful for people to get things started. We can look at which aspects might be included in this."Deputy Head of Department - "Firstly, thank you for putting this together. Asynchronous learning is a valuable educational tool, and we are eager to further develop it within the Department due to its many benefits. I’ve provided some commentary on the document itself for your consideration, and also attached a checklist for staff, which may be a more ‘busy academic-friendly’ way to present your written text."
Head of Department - "The plan for this guidance was for it to be as light touch and user friendly as possible to act as a key reference point for asynchronous learning. As such I have suggested deleting much of the content that provides an introduction, rationale etc to keep it as brief and simple as possible." In this version below I kept some of my original aspects as I felt they were still important.
The Head of Department commented the following when they communicated it to everyone on Friday 3 July 2026:
"Thank you to everyone who attended and engaged in today’s away day. I really enjoyed the time with you as a whole team and came away with lots of new ideas from the conversations and group work throughout the day.
During the IHAP showcase Dan and Godson provided an overview of high-quality asynchronous learning activities and challenged us to think about the role they play in engaging and deepening the students learning. The group I was in had some great reflections on opportunities for formative assessment, flipped classroom and using these resources to really change how we work with students in the classroom.
The long-term aspiration is that all modules are supported by these high-quality interactive learning activities. Some of these are available for all to use and share in the NOW exemplar room. I attach the guidelines I mentioned that Dan has been working on with SLT to outline the format of the asynchronous learning and briefly explain the process involved in developing.
We’ll be taking these forward with the new curriculum developments but please do reach out to Dan and Godson to discuss your ideas for supporting students learning both in the classroom, practice and simulation."
A related and insightful webinar 'The power of Asynchronous learning' was delivered on 15 January 2026 by the Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE).
