NILE, the Northampton Integrated Learning Environment, is a collection of digital tools provided by the University of Northampton to support your learning and assessment.
As well as the NILE tools, the University also provides a number of other technologies to support your learning, including BoB (Box of Broadcasts), and LinkedIn Learning.
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Blackboard Learn is the core tool in the University's digital learning environment, and is what many people think of as NILE. This is where you will be able to access your learning materials, take part in online activities and discussions, take tests, submit your assignments, find your grade and feedback, and much more. |
Blackboard Learn is accessed at: Log in using your usual University username and password. You can also access Blackboard Learn using the Blackboard App |
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Blackboard Ally enables you to access alternative, accessible versions of documents uploaded into NILE site in Blackboard Learn. When a document is uploaded into NILE (e.g. a Word file) Ally will automatically create alternative versions of the document in PDF, HTML, ePub, electronic Braille, and audio (mp3) formats. |
Blackboard Ally is fully integrated into Blackboard Learn and is accessed via: Log in using your usual University username and password. |
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Blackboard Collaborate is the University's virtual classroom tool. It is a highly versatile collaborative tool which is used to run online classes. |
Blackboard Collaborate is fully integrated into Blackboard Learn and is accessed via: Log in using your usual University username and password. You can also take part in Blackboard Collaborate sessions using the Blackboard App |
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CampusPress (MyPAD) provides you with your own WordPress sites, and you can use it to create as many blogs, websites and e-Portfolios as you want. WordPress is perhaps the best and most popular website building and blogging platform available on the web, so learning how to use it will enhance your digital capabilities. |
CampusPress is accessed at: Log in using your usual University username and password. |
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Kaltura provides you with the ability to record and upload video and audio content. You can create and edit your own webcam or voice-over screencapture recordings on a laptop/desktop computer. If you are using the KMS GO App, you can also record and upload video from your mobile device. |
Kaltura is accessed at: Log in using your usual University username and password. You can also access and use Kaltura using the KMS GO App. When setting up the app for the first time the URL you need to enter is: northampton.mediaspace.kaltura.com After this, log in to the App using your usual University username and password. |
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Padlet is a digital post board that can be used individually and/or collaboratively. You can use Padlet to collect and share information, including images and videos, but you can also use Padlet with others as part of a collaborative activity. Padlet boards can be structured in a variety of different ways, and can be shared openly or can be completely private. |
Padlet is accessed at: Click 'Log in with Microsoft' and log in using your University of Northampton email address (the one ending @my.northampton.ac.uk) and your usual password. |
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PebblePad is the University's e-Portfolio tool. |
PebblePad is accessed at: If you are using PebblePad as part of your studies, you will have been issued with a PebblePad username and password. |
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Turnitin is an assignment submission tool. Most written assignments at University are submitted via Turnitin. |
Turnitin is fully integrated into Blackboard Learn and is accessed via: Log in using your usual University username and password. |
As well as the various tools that comprise NILE, the following technologies are also available to students at the University.
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BOB (Box of Broadcasts) is an on demand TV and radio service for education. BoB allows you to view programmes from over 65 free-to-air channels, and search the extensive archive. The recorded programmes are kept indefinitely and added to a growing media archive with all content shared by users across every subscribing institution. Please note that BoB is only available from within the UK. |
BOB is accessed at: Log in using your usual University username and password. BOB is supported by the Academic Librarians. |
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LinkedIn Learning is a library of high-quality online video tutorials. It includes very many self-paced video training courses on almost all software packages used at the University of Northampton, and also offers other courses that focus on the development of academic skills, study skills, digital literacty and various other 'soft skills'. |
LinkedIn Learning is accessed at: Log in using your usual University username and password. More information about how to log in to LinkedIn Learning is available on the University's LinkedIn Learning for Students page. You can also access and use LinkedIn Learning via the LinkedIn Learning Mobile App. LinkedIn Learning is supported by the Staff Development team. |
Although not officially endorsed or supported by the University, students may find the following accessibility tools helpful.
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Natural Reader Text to Speech is a text-to-speech tool that you can add to Chrome* and which can then read web content aloud to you. |
The free Natural Reader Text to Speech Chrome extension is available from: |
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Voice In Voice Typing is a voice-to-text tool that you can add to Chrome* and which can then type the words that you speak. | The free Voice In Voice Typing Chrome extension is available from: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/voice-in-voice-typing/ |
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Chrome has a number of tools built into it to help with accessibility, including live captions. | More information about Chrome's built-in accessibility features are available from: https://support.google.com/chrome/topic/7437725 |
*Chrome is the recommended browser for accessing NILE and other University of Northampton systems. If you don't already use Chrome, you can find out more about how to download and install it here: https://askus.northampton.ac.uk/Learntech/faq/249531