In this episode of our further education and skills (FE) podcasts, hosts Louisa Stamatelopoulos and Andrew McFadyen chat to Beth Snowden from Craven College. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of our tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys.

Beth begins the discussion by sharing details of her dual operational and strategic role at the college, from investigating licenses to co-writing the digital learning strategy, as well as the scale and scope of Craven College.

The conversation then turns to the college’s focus on embedding digital further into the staff development system, and how their recently launched digital learning strategy has been instrumental in the developments and decisions that are being made.

Beth highlights the success of the college’s first ever staff development day on digital CPD, with 300 members of staff participating in workshops and even learning to fly drones.

Listen to the full episode to also hear about Beth’s experiences of Jisc’s digital experience insights survey, learning from the digital accessibility community, and tips on getting started with AI.

Show notes

• Visit Craven College’s website
• View Beth’s LinkedIn page
• Learn more about the college’s commercial training division, Tyro Training
• Read about Evolve, Craven College’s small college in the centre of Ripon and take a ThingLink tour
• Access the Aviation Academy, based at Leeds Bradford Airport
• Watch a 360 tour of Craven Arena, home to Craven Equine
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, Jisc’s Chris Thomson is joined by Dr Miriam Firth from the University of Manchester. They discuss the work Miriam has been doing with the QAA, and colleagues across a number of other HE institutions, to examine practices of optionality in assessment.

During the episode, Miri dives into the rationale for the research project, what they discovered and what lessons can be learned for assessment designers.

Show notes

• Find out more about the optionality in assessment project
• Review the Jisc guidance on the Principles of Good Assessment and Feedback
• Listen to the creative approaches to assessment in media and communications podcast

In this episode, Jisc’s Kellie Mote welcomes Dr Ann Kristin Glenster from the Glenlead Centre and Bouquette Kabatepe from Imperial College London for a discussion on digital accessibility and the accessible digital futures project.

The group reflect on how they met and how a shared passion for accessibility sowed the seeds of the accessible digital futures project, a series of events bringing together digital leads from UK HE to explore the potential of accessible digital and AI technologies for all.

Bouquette speaks about hosting a workshop and the importance of having representation from all levels at the university, raising awareness that digital accessibility is a must, not just a nice to have. Ann Kristin delves into some of the findings from the project, highlighting feedback from the edtech sector further emphasising the need to build accessibility into products at the earliest stages.

Listen now to hear about accessible procurement, AI in accessibility tools and assistive technologies, the impact of the European Accessibility Act and much more.

Show notes

• Get involved in the accessible digital futures project
• Join us for the next accessible digital futures workshop
• Learn more about Imperial, Intel and Lenovo’s ICICLE project
• Find out more about Bouquette, and Imperial’s commitment to digital accessibility in this blog
• Watch a video demonstration of Microsoft’s Seeing with AI
• Learn more about the 100-year life book mentioned in the podcast

Host Elizabeth Newall welcomes Professor Dan George, Professor Jane Mooney and Professor Caroline Bowsher from the University of Manchester to discuss the work they have been doing to support digital transformation as part of Manchester’s Flexible Learning Programme.

In this episode of our mini-series on demonstrating digital transformation, Elizabeth Newall, senior sector specialist in the higher education and research directorate at Jisc, is joined by representatives of the Flexible Learning Programme (FLP) at the University of Manchester: Professor Dan George, associate vice president for blended and flexible learning, Professor Caroline Bowsher, university academic theme lead for the digital learning environment and Professor Jane Mooney, university academic theme lead for digital skills and literacy. Jisc recently hosted a demonstrating digital transformation event at the University of Manchester, and in this podcast we’ll hear more about the work that Dan, Caroline and Jane have been doing to support digital transformation as part of Manchester’s Flexible Learning Programme.

The conversation begins with Dan sharing the University of Manchester’s definition of flexible learning and the origins of the Flexible Learning Programme. Dan explains how the university’s current strategy set them on a path towards increased student choice to enable their offering to be flexible by design and flexible by delivery.

Jane follows this up by describing how Jisc’s resources, such as the digital transformation framework and maturity model which they have recently piloted, have supported them in the Flexible Learning Programme. Caroline discusses how their targeted approach to digital maturity allows them to focus the conversations in around specific areas of the model, so that they get really specific outcomes and next steps to follow up on.

Dan talks about how the maturity model workshops were well received by key stakeholders and the executive level at the university, and touches on the special relationship with external civic organisations.

Lastly, the team talk about why they wanted to host a demonstrating digital transformation event and what the success of the day meant to them.

Show notes:

• Read our accompanying member story
• Read our digital transformation in higher education guide
• Read more about the Flexible Learning Strategy and Workstreams and feel free to get in touch with the team via flexiblelearning@manchester.ac.uk
• See our digital transformation in higher education toolkit and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Join our Digital transformation in higher education working group
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

We’re joined by James Kieft, teaching and learning development manager at Activate Learning, to discuss bringing people together through digital technologies, developing skills and having the courage to try something different.

In the fifth of our further education and skills (FE) focused podcasts, hosts Andrew McFadyen and Louisa Stamatelopoulos chat to James Kieft, teaching and learning development manager at Activate Learning. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of Jisc tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys.

The conversation begins with AI and how James has brought colleagues together through breakfast meetings to raise the profile of all technologies, not just AI, and explore support opportunities for students and staff.

Next, James shares his experience of running an EdTech blog and YouTube channel, which has created connections worldwide. James highlights the collaborative and sharing nature of the FE sector and how in his role he’s been able to observe a wide range of teaching, picking ideas up as he goes, like a magpie.

James rounds out the discussion by sharing advice for teachers looking to use digital technology and how he can see the role of the FE teacher changing over time.

Show notes

• Check out James’s EdTech blog
• Visit James’s YouTube channel
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Simon Birkett talks to Lucy Everest, global chief operating officer, and Fraser Muir, global director of information services, from Heriot-Watt University about their global approach to digital transformation to enable continuous evolution and improvement.

In this episode of Beyond the Technology, host Simon Birkett is joined by Lucy Everest, global chief operating officer, and Fraser Muir, global director of information services, from Heriot-Watt University to discuss digital transformation and the importance of embedding a digital mindset.

Lucy begins the conversation by detailing what digital transformation looks like at Heriot-Watt, as an enabler of growth, effective ways of working and efficiency.

Fraser and Lucy continue by looking at the essential building blocks of digital transformation, understanding the imperative to change and using micro transformations to drive small efficiencies that can scale.

Fraser goes on to talk about the digital student experience and use of data and insights, and Lucy reflects on their approach to engaging a broad set of stakeholders on a global level.

Lastly, Lucy and Fraser discuss the challenges of implementing transformational projects and predict where the sector may be in five years’ time in terms of digital transformation.

Listen to the full episode for all of this and more.

Show notes:

• Check out our framework for digital transformation in higher education and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Read our digital transformation in higher education guide
• Join our Digital transformation in higher education working group - Digital transformation in higher education working group - Jisc
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Host Sarah Knight is joined by Professor Paul Bartholomew, vice chancellor at Ulster University, to discuss Ulster’s strategy: people, place and partnership, and Paul’s close relationship with Jisc over the last 20 years.

In this episode of our miniseries on demonstrating digital transformation Sarah Knight, head of learning and teaching transformation in the higher education and research directorate at Jisc, is joined by Professor Paul Bartholomew, vice chancellor at Ulster University, to share how Ulster’s strategy: people, place and partnership is driving their digital transformation.

Paul starts by explaining how the strategy is built upon working in partnership, both internally and externally, and a focus on learning as a social activity.

Next, Paul shares his insight on what sector leaders can do to enable a culture that supports digital transformation, touching on resource, flexible funding and the importance of a collaborative approach.

We hear Paul’s thoughts on where the sector might be in the next five years in terms of digital transformation and how he believes that AI will not break the USP for higher education of bringing people together.

Lastly, Paul reflects on how Jisc has supported his career over the last 20 years. 

Show notes:

• Listen to our previous episode on enabling culture to support digital transformation at Ulster University
• Read Ulster University’s strategy
• Ulster’s digital strategy
• Find out more about Ulster’s centre for digital learning enhancement
• Read our digital transformation in higher education guide
• Learn more about the student experience experts group and how to get involved
• Check out our framework for digital transformation in higher education and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Join Professor Tim Drysdale from the University of Edinburgh, Jisc Association of Learning Technology awards ALT award winner for digital transformation in 2023, as he explores the groundbreaking Remote Laboratories project in our latest episode.

In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, we explore the University of Edinburgh's Remote Laboratories project, led by Professor Tim Drysdale. This award-winning initiative addresses the growing demand for practical engineering education by transforming unused campus spaces into innovative teaching labs.

Remote Laboratories allow students to conduct over 100 different experiments across various engineering disciplines from anywhere, using just a web browser. This flexibility supports blended learning, making practical work more accessible to students with diverse commitments.

Professor Drysdale highlights the project's collaborative nature and its potential to revolutionise global STEM education by integrating AI and digital tools. This approach not only enhances learning but also prepares students for a tech-driven professional world.

Join us to hear about the practical benefits and future potential of remote labs in enhancing both student learning and educational outcomes. Discover how Remote Laboratories are reshaping engineering education and the transformative impact of digital education on students and educators.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more stories, download our report on post-pandemic learning, and connect with Professor Drysdale to explore similar innovations for your institution.

Tune in to the Beyond the Technology podcast to hear the full story.

Show notes

·       Hear more about the University of Edinburgh’s story in our Beyond the Technology podcast series on award winners.

·       Join the conversation and get in touch with Tim and the team.

·       Download our report: Beyond blended: Post-pandemic curriculum and learning design: lessons from the higher education (HE) sector

·       Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Sarah Knight speaks to Elaine Hartin and Andy Jaffrey, from Ulster University, about their agile and flexible approach to their strategic plan and the integration of digital technologies at the Belfast campus.

In this podcast, Sarah Knight, head of learning and teaching transformation in the higher education and research directorate at Jisc, is joined by Elaine Hartin, chief strategy and finance officer, and Andy Jaffrey, head of the centre for digital learning enhancement, at Ulster University to discuss what Elaine, Andy and their teams are doing to support digital transformation.

Andy begins by describing the hidden work that provides the infrastructure for digital innovation and how digital transformation has been happening at all levels of the organisation by breaking down silos and encouraging a culture to support innovative practice.

We hear from Elaine on using digital transformation to enable strategy by getting the communication, culture and execution right. Elaine also speaks about having a plan and clear milestones in place to assist with the journey of digital transformation.

Elaine and Andy take us through some of the initiatives that support digital transformation at the university, including a significant cyber security program, the use of Power BI to support academic planning and the integration of technology into the learning spaces at the Belfast campus, which have been embraced by both staff and students.

Listen to the full episode for all of this and more, including the challenges of keeping up the momentum of digital transformation and how Ulster are supporting staff and students with the AI innovations in the sector.

Show notes:

• Read Ulster University’s strategy
• Ulster’s digital strategy
• Find out more about Ulster’s centre for digital learning enhancement
• Check out our framework for digital transformation in higher education and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

In the next episode of our award winners podcast miniseries, Sophia Speakman interviews Miko Pescott and Savi Bains from Activate Learning, alongside Jonathan Hofgartner from Jisc, discussing Activate Learning's award-winning approach to digital technology in further education.

This episode, hosted by Sophia Speakman, celebrates award winners for their innovative use of digital technology and sharing standout practices from tertiary education exploring Activate Learning's approach to supporting adult learners through remote education.

In this episode, Savi and Miko discuss Activate Learning’s unique learning philosophy which moves away from focusing solely on the traditional methods of teaching. Miko shares with us the emotion and motivation in the online and remote learning process that is needed to change the nature of the teacher role in an online setting to one that is coaching focused to sustain learner motivation.

The team addresses student challenges such as device access, personal commitments, the pandemic and financial constraints with practical solutions to ensure inclusivity.

Jonathan Hofgartner, the lead assessor for the Jisc Beacon Awards, emphasises how Activate's strategy aligns with criteria like innovation, impact, and sustainability.

Finally, Savi and Miko share the critical role that feedback has in driving learner success. By providing timely feedback within 48 hours, even on evenings and weekends, Activate Learning keeps adult learners engaged and motivated to complete assignments. This commitment to rapid feedback, combined with a coaching-focused teaching model, distinguishes Activate Learning's approach and contributes to its success.

Show notes

·       Find out more about Activate Learning and their award-winning learning philosophy.

·       Download our framework for digital transformation.

·      Find out more about the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards.

·      Read our member story sharing Activate Learning’s journey.

·       Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

·       Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series.

Please note, this episode of the podcast was originally recorded in September 2023, so please bear that in mind when dates and times are mentioned.

This is the fourth in a series of podcasts focused on further education and skills (FE), hosted by Andrew McFadyen and Louisa Stamatelopoulos. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of Jisc tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys.

In this episode Andrew and Louisa are joined by Kerry Heathcote, vice principal of curriculum and quality at College of West Anglia.

The discussion begins with a look ay College of West Anglia’s digital elevation strategy and the six elements that comprise the curriculum design and development and learner experience.

Kerry talks about how Jisc’s digital experience insights survey, through student and learner feedback, allows the college to benchmark themselves and really focus on the student voice, leadership, governance and culture.

Next, Kerry shares advice for teachers on using digital technologies in their teaching by keeping the learner at the heart of the experience.

Lastly, Kerry looks to the future and how the role of the FE teacher may change over time.

Show notes

• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
• Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

In this special episode of Beyond the Technology, recorded live at Digifest 2024, Tom Moule, senior AI specialist in Jisc’s AI team is joined by David Pike, head of digital learning at the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence at the University of Bedfordshire, Alina Bajgrowicz, digital learning officer from the University of Bedfordshire, and Scott Hayden, head of teaching and learning and digital at Basingstoke College of Technology to discuss AI and empathy.

The panel begins by looking at the ethical questions that have been raised around using AI at their institutions, and how frequent empathy mapping with students and staff ensures their needs are met. Next, they highlight the benefits and pitfalls of AI for both students and staff, and the need for the sector to define best practice for using AI in education.

David and Alina share examples of ethical dilemmas around generative AI from their session at Digifest and Scott discusses his approach to deepfakes at Basingstoke.

Finally, the group predict where assessment might be heading in the age of AI.

Show notes

Learn more about Jisc’s work on AI.

Be the first to hear our developing plans for Digifest 2025 by signing up to our mailing list

Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series.

In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, Elizabeth Newall, senior sector specialist at Jisc invites Dr Tabetha Newman, senior research consultant at Timmus limited, Sharon Perera, head of academic digital skills at the University of Greenwich and Tom Wright, director of digital experience, University of Lincoln, to explore the findings of Jisc’s research investigating the digital experiences of international students studying in UK HE.

Elizabeth invites guests to explore the complexities and challenges faced by international students in navigating the digital landscape of their educational experiences. From discussions on prior access to technology and digital infrastructure across different countries to the integration of digital tools in teaching and learning practices in the UK, the podcast provides valuable insights into how universities can better support their international student community.

Show notes

Find out more about the researching international students' digital experience project.

Briefing paper 1 | Facilitating holistic conversations about the student experience with international students

Briefing paper 2 | Supporting international students’ digital experience: a checklist for providing an equitable and inclusive experience

Briefing paper 3 | Comparing international and UK-domiciled student responses in Jisc’s digital experience insights (DEI) survey

Read up on the International students’ digital experience phase one: a review of policy, academic literature and views from UK higher education and the International students’ digital experience phase two: experiences and expectations

Register your interest to stay informed of our research into international students’ digital experience

Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series.

In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, Fiona Steel, graduate teaching assistant at Leeds Beckett University, joins Heidi Fraser-Krauss, Jisc’s CEO, to discuss using virtual reality (VR) to tackle the gender disparity in STEM education. Fiona is delivering a lightning talk session on this topic at Digifest. So, if you enjoy this conversation, be sure to attend her talk at 11:30 on Wednesday 13 March at the Digifest event, taking place in Birmingham and online.

Fiona begins by looking at the complex issue of gender disparity in STEM education and careers and why they still remain male-dominated. She tells us about her hopes for encouraging more women, girls and non-binary learners to engage in STEM subjects, without alienating anyone else, to move society forwards.

Fiona explains how VR can be used in the classroom to tackle gender disparity by making learning content more inclusive, accessible and engaging, showcasing diverse role models and perspectives and challenging stereotypes.

Listen to the full episode now, and if you enjoy this episode, look out for Fiona’s lightning talk at Digifest on 13 March.

Show notes

• Find out more about Digifest 2024 and imagine the future of education and research
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
• Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

Host Simon Birkett is joined by Helen Cocks from the University of Exeter to discuss how their agile culture is paying off for digital transformation.

In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, Helen Cocks, Head of Digital Strategy and Engagement, joins us to discuss the approach powering digital transformation at the University of Exeter. The university is already reaping the rewards of the digital strategy they implemented less than two years ago, with a vision of becoming the most accessible and connected university destination for any user.

Helen touches on subjects ranging from recruitment and data infrastructure to digital initiatives and a motto of ‘practice what you teach’. She tells us about the lessons learned along the way, explaining why data in particular has been so crucial to their progress.

We also hear about the user-led approach taken to try and make processes easier and more responsive for a user base of digital natives wanting to replicate the polished experience they get with the likes of Netflix and Amazon.

Listen to the episode in full for all this and more, including Helen’s best advice for other higher education leaders looking to make progress on their digital transformation journeys.

Show notes:

• Read University of Exeter’s Strategy 2030
• Exeter’s Digital Strategy
• Access Exeter’s Digital Team site, covering products and services, roles and responsibilities, blogs and much more
• Check out our framework for digital transformation in higher education and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
• Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

In the third of our further education and skills focused podcasts, we’re joined by Stevie Emmanuel and Yusuf Ibrahim from Cardiff and Vale College.

This is the third in a series of podcasts focused on further education and skills (FE), hosted by Andrew McFadyen and Louisa Stamatelopoulos. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of Jisc tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys.

In this edition our hosts welcome Stevie Emmanuel, head of technology enhanced learning, and Yusuf Ibrahim, Assistant Principal, from Cardiff and Vale College to the show to discuss how new technologies are driving their digital strategy.

Stevie begins by talking about the move from a TEL strategy to a full college digital transformation and how the Jisc digital elevation tool has helped to craft that strategy.

Next, Stevie looks at the impact on staff and learners of embracing change in a digital world and how a student-led project, TEL Talks, has increased engagement.

Yusuf and Stevie give an example of how their student digital leaders have collaborated to gain future-ready skills.

The guests also share their advice for teachers looking to use new digital technology in the classroom and look to the future at how the role of the FE teacher may change over time.

Finally, Yusuf discusses how Cardiff and Vale College are removing the barriers from equity, quality and diversity through the use of technology.

Show notes

·       See how our digital capability service can help you

·       Find out more about how the digital elevation tool can elevate FE and skills providers’ digital ambitions

·       Discover how the digital experience insights service works

·       Explore our further education and skills hub

·       Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

·       Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

On this episode of Beyond the Technology, Sophia Speakman hosts Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Vincenzo Rinaldi and Heather Doran from the University of Dundee, winners of the innovative use of technology award at the Herald Higher Education Awards, to discuss the exciting project surrounding virtual reality (VR) being carried out at the Leverhulme Research Centre.

Niamh and Vincenzo outline how the team aims to revolutionise crime scene investigations and court proceedings using VR. Having already worked with the Danish police, the project is focused on creating a systematic approach to turn crime scene images into a VR environment, providing a more immersive decision-making tool. The team envisions a future where VR brings crime scenes to investigators, reducing the need for physical travel.

Heather discusses how the pandemic limited engagement of the tool with public audiences due to the tactile nature of the VR technology and also how the university’s widening access team hope to work with them to share VR with students.

Vincenzo addresses the high costs associated with advanced forensic technologies and how the project aims to focus on cost-effective solutions by repurposing existing tools such as traditional cameras and commercial-grade VR devices.

To close, Vincenzo and Niamh offer advice to other universities seeking to explore innovation in technology.

Show notes

• Read more about the University of Dundee’s ground-breaking project in our member story

   

• Find out more about the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee

• Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

• Get in touch with us if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Newall welcomes Helen Beetham and Sheila MacNeill, who discuss rethinking learning and curriculum design in higher education.

Helen Beetham, a researcher in digital education and Sheila MacNeill, an independent consultant with experience in curriculum design talk about the importance of rethinking learning and curriculum design in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adapt to new challenges.

The conversation explores the evolution of curriculum design pre and post pandemic, emphasising a shift towards a more holistic approach. They introduce the concept of "beyond blended," which focuses on blending of different modes of learning, particularly synchronous and asynchronous, and the impact of technology on time and place within the curriculum.

The discussion also touches on the student experience during the pandemic, highlighting issues related to new technologies such as generative AI, accessibility, and the need for flexibility. Helen and Sheila share that different students have different preferences for learning modes, and the pandemic has highlighted the importance of catering to diverse learning needs.

Helen and Sheila share their work on the six pillars of blended learning. They emphasise the importance of understanding the pedagogic differences between in-place and online learning, the role of pace in learning, and the need to balance flexibility with the specific needs of students. They also introduce the idea of using "lenses" to examine the curriculum from different angles, both at the curriculum and strategic levels.

The conversation concludes by highlighting the need for a robust curriculum design process and the potential for new technologies like generative AI to be accommodated within flexible curriculum design process.

Show notes

·       Beyond blended: Post-pandemic curriculum and learning design: lessons from the higher education (HE) sector. Available to download from: https://beta.jisc.ac.uk/reports/beyond-blended

·       Sign up to receive advance notice of the Beyond blended web guide: https://emails.jisc.ac.uk/k/Jisc/beyond_blended

·       Read the report on Approaches to curriculum and learning design across UK higher education

·       Read our member story on blending digital and physical at the University of Northampton

·       Check out our framework guide for digital transformation in higher education, and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing

·       Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

·       Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

Join Sarah Knight, head of learning and teaching transformation at Jisc, who is joined by Marieke Guy, Head of Digital Assessment at University College London (UCL) and Mary McHarg, Activities & Engagement Officer at UCL Student Union to discuss the reimagining of assessment and feedback at the institution.

Marieke provides insights into the university's broad scope, with 11 faculties and over 60 departments. UCL supports around 43,000 students and over 14,000 employees, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. They discuss how the institution faces the challenge of maintaining consistency and utilising technology effectively due to its scale and diversity.

Mary highlights the challenges students face in relation to assessment and feedback. With a vast institution like UCL, students experience different assessment methods, frequencies, and feedback quality across departments. The podcast explores the importance of consistency, quality feedback, and supporting student well-being.

The episode emphasises the involvement of students in the assessment process. UCL actively engages students through panels, partnerships, and programmes such as ‘student changemakers’.

Marieke discusses the wide range of assessment tools used at UCL, such as Moodle, Wiseflow, Mahara, WordPress, Crowdmark, and Turnitin. The conversation moves on to how UCL is addressing the need for assessment practice and curriculum redesign. Marieke mentions ongoing work with the academic practice centre and academic communication centre to support staff in rethinking assessments.

The discussion delves into AI's role in assessment and the need to educate staff and students about its capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations. UCL is incorporating AI into assessments and actively involving students in discussions about its use.

The episode concludes with the importance of senior leaders supporting the institutional approach to rethinking assessment and feedback. It emphasises the need for clear communication, involving students as partners, providing resources and support for staff, and investing in experts.

Show notes

• Read more about how UCL is redesigning assessment for the AI age
• Check out our framework guide for digital transformation in higher education, and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Read the UCL Digital Assessment Team blog for valuable insights and updates on innovative digital assessment practices at UCL
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
• Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

In this episode, Simon Birkett, senior consultant for digital transformation at Jisc is joined by Jodie Wetherall, Associate Director - Office of the CIO at the University of Greenwich to discuss the university's digital strategy and its impact.

Jodie shares insights into the University of Greenwich's vision for 2030, aiming to be the best modern university in the UK. They discuss the strategic priorities that focus on transformational shifts in learning and teaching, research and knowledge exchange, as well as the four cross-cutting priorities of student success, inclusivity and culture, impactful research and knowledge exchange, and connected and sustainable campuses.

The conversation delves into the development and evolution of the university's digital strategy. They talk about the importance of aligning the strategy with the overall corporate strategy, gaining executive sponsorship, and involving the entire university community.

Several initiatives and projects are highlighted, including the Student Lifecycle Management programme, which aims to provide a digital student centre for self-service access, improving the student experience. The Classroom Enhancement Programme is discussed, which focuses on upgrading and enhancing classroom environments to support flexible delivery models. Jodie also mentions the new programme focusing on research and knowledge exchange, exploring ways to streamline processes and empower researchers with technology.

In terms of the wider sector conversation, Jodie discusses the significance of time, opportunities coming out of COVID and long-term planning in digital transformation. They emphasise the importance of having a high-performing team, strong executive leadership, and a positive reputation for delivering change. Looking to the future, Jodie acknowledges the challenges posed by the current financial climate and discusses the university's digital strategy for the future. 

Show notes

• Read more about Greenwich’s five steps to digital strategy success
  Join us for our developing and implementing a digital strategy event, University of Greenwich, 18 July 2023
• Listen to a podcast about demonstrating digital transformation at Staffordshire University
• Check out our framework guide for digital transformation in higher education, and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
• Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

In this episode, Sarah Knight, Head of learning and teaching transformation in higher education at Jisc is joined by Mike Phillips, the executive dean at the School of Health Science and Wellbeing at Staffordshire University where he discusses how the use of immersive learning and simulation learning is transforming the student experience in health care.

Mike outlines the role that the School of Health Science and Wellbeing has in the immersive journey and shares the challenges of delivering health care education in the sector over the past 20 years. Mike then goes on to explore how technology has enabled the university to address some of the challenges they face including the pandemic accelerating plans and the use of simulation placements for students across health, social care and wellbeing disciplines.

Mike shares how he has brought staff along on the journey to ‘simmersive’ and the innovative approaches that they’ve used to create an authentic workplace setting for students. Mike highlights the 3 P’s which are essential to embedding technology within the student experience: The people, the place and the pedagogy.

Mike talks about students and staff embracing the approach to simulation based learning post-pandemic and the welcoming of technological change at Staffordshire adopting a hybrid role across the academic and technical digital spaces.

Mike then goes on to share the five stage approach and the framework for the integration of skills and simulation when delivering an incremental exposure towards real world practice for the universities learners.

Finally, we focus on creating a simulation environment to develop an authentic assessment experience and enhance student learning and feedback.

In this episode, we are joined by Raheel Nawaz from Staffordshire University, where we learn about the exciting and innovative work Raheel is leading on in the digital transformation space.

Raheel Nawaz is a professor of artificial intelligence and a professor of digital education working at Staffordshire University as pro vice-chancellor for digital transformation.

Raheel explores his vision for digital transformation at Staffordshire University including the new digital at core strategy and the four main pillars that underpin this vision.

Raheel talks about the essential building blocks needed within a university to enable digital transformation to happen in the form of three main components : strategy, culture and governance of the strategy including the process Raheel and his team took when creating their digital transformation strategy.

He then goes on to explain the three projects the university are most excited about in the world of digital transformation. The first of the three being simplifying the student experience with the launch of the first ai assistant in any university with the aim of bringing course, community and career together in a single integrated student interface. Secondly, the self-coined ‘simmersive’, a support mantra of simulation and immersive and how Staffordshire is integrating this concept into the DNA of buildings and the student experience. And finally, a project around building minimum expectations around staff and student digital capabilities.

Raheel talks about what senior leaders can do to encourage a culture of digital transformation including what we can do for the culture of our university experience.

And finally we look to the future of the sector and where we see the university experience evolving since the pandemic and the rapid increase of ai. And finally posing the question to senior leaders ‘how do we make the most of technology?’

Show notes

Check out the events happening within our digital transformation series:
-    Join us at University of Northampton for rethinking learning and curriculum design on 6 July. Book now.
-    Taking place 18 July, join us at University of Greenwich for developing and implementing a digital strategy. Join our waiting list. 

Check out our framework guide for digital transformation in higher education, and explore a comprehensive perspective on how the digital environment can support positive work, research and learning experiences, and promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series.

This episode is the first in a series of podcasts focused on further education and skills, hosted by Andrew McFadyen and Louisa Stamatelopoulos. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa will be joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of Jisc tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys.

Phil Peatling, Head of Digital Learning at Boston College, firstly discusses the digital transformation of development and skills for both teachers and learners, to prepare them for digital advancements across industries.

Next, Phil talks about how Jisc’s digital elevation tool gave the college a platform for development and brought the Digital team and the IT technicians closer together to assess their digital maturity levels.

Phil also shares advice for teachers on using digital technology and how he sees the role of the further education teacher changing over time.

Show notes

See how our digital capability service can help you

Find out more about how the digital elevation tool can elevate FE and skills providers’ digital ambitions

Discover how the digital experience insights service works

Explore our further education and skills hub

Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series

How Nigel Francis uses the Star Wars universe to explain complicated topics like immunology 

We speak with Dr Nigel Francis, senior lecturer at Cardiff University, about his project, immunology wars, which is a series of videos and illustrations that describes the basic functions of the immune system through the Star Wars movies.

Simon explains how he first came up with the idea to explain immunology in this way and shares how he worked directly with the students to develop the concept.

By linking the cells of the immune system with the characters from Star Wars, Simon and his students have created a unique and creative way to help students remember these different cells and their roles in the immune response.

Show notes

Visit the Immunology Wars website
View the #DryLabsRealScience website Nigel mentions
Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.
Get in touch with us at podcast@jisc.ac.uk if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series.

Sarah Knight chats with consultants Helen Beetham and Sheila MacNeill about their recent review of learning and curriculum design in higher education.

We chat with Helen and Sheila about the findings from their review, which included a desk-based literature review, a survey of over 155 professionals and 20 interviews with staff from within higher education.

Alongside this, they also share examples of how universities are evolving their learning and curriculum design practices, and discuss how we can integrate things that worked well during the pandemic.

We’re joined by Simon Walker, Director of programme development at University College London, to discuss how they have moved to digital assessment by default.

Simon starts by talking through the challenges they have been facing with assessment, including how they had previously recognised that it was out of kilter with the student’s expectations for a modern education system. The pandemic enabled them to take a bold step toward adapting their practices, adopting an end-to-end digital assessment platform.

We then discuss how they have supported staff with their assessment and feedback practices, adopting a team of digital assessment advisers who help onboard faculties and share best practices.

In this episode, we are joined by Professor David Nicol, Suzanne McCallum, Lovleen Kushwah and Nick Quinn from The Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow to chat about how they are using comparison based feedback to improve their assessment and feedback practices.

Professor David Nicol, Research Professor: Teaching Excellence Initiative, at The Adam Smith Business School, starts by taking us through the research they have undertaken into feedback, looking at what feedback students generate themselves when asked to compare their work against other types of information such as videos, textbooks or lecture notes, instead of a teacher’s comments. David’s research found that students generate significant feedback on their own whilst also reducing the need for teacher comments. He then explains the three concepts behind the work at the university:

• All feedback is inner feedback - students are the protagonist of feedback.
• All feedback is a result of a comparison process.
• What students compare their work against determines the type of feedback they generate - Different kinds of information results in different kinds of feedback.

Suzanne McCallum, Lovleen Kushwah and Dr Nick Quinn then speak about the methods they are using to bring this comparison based feedback approach to life, sharing how they have found it so far and the feedback they have had from students.

In this third episode of our mini-series on rethinking assessment and feedback, we are joined by Karen Barton, director of the learning and teaching innovation centre at the University of Hertfordshire.

Karen shares some of the feedback they have had from students on assessment including, providing authentic assessment, providing personalised assessment where possible and changes to the workloads/phasing of assessment.

We then discuss a recent consultation and review that the university has taken to help identify the changes needed to support their vision for teaching, learning, and assessment. The review helped develop the ‘Herts learning principles’, which were created to help address some areas that the university sees as important in the future, with one of these principles being around how they harness technology to support their strategy.

We also discuss how the university is supporting staff to take these new assessment practices forward, discussing how they created an assessment experts group within the university to provide policy outputs, direction, and guidance for staff.

Lastly, Karen shares what she thinks are the critical success factors that need to be in place within an institution to help realise affective assessment and feedback.

In this episode of our rethinking assessment and feedback mini-series, Sarah Knight chats with Danny Liu and Benjamin Miller about how they are adapting their assessment and feedback practices at The University of Sydney.

Danny and Benjamin start by sharing some of the issues and challenges that an institution-wide review into assessment picked up, including assessment weighting, group work and assessment feedback.

They then talk about how the development of the student relationship engagement system (SRES) has helped solve the problem of engaging a large number of students with personalised feedback and personal care. 

Finally, they share their tips and advice on the steps UK universities could take to improve their assessment and feedback practices.

As part of our ‘rethinking assessment and feedback’ mini-series, Sarah Knight is joined by Gill Ferrell to chat about the newly released review into the UK assessment and feedback landscape in higher education.

This episode forms part of our mini-series ‘rethinking assessment and feedback’ hosted by Sarah Knight. Over the next few months these episodes, Sarah will chat with experts from universities across the world about how they are rethinking their assessment and feedback practices.

Gill discusses the results of a survey of 46 higher education providers on what aspects of assessment and feedback they are currently supporting with technology, what has changed over time, and their current use of online submissions and marking.

Sarah also chats with Gill about the principles of good assessment and feedback featured in our new guide. Gill shares some real-world examples from universities across the world of how some of these principles are effectively being applied today.

In this episode, we chat with Rob Blagden, director of libraries, technology & information at the University of Gloucestershire.

Rob talks through the steps his university took to bring over almost all of their exams online, sharing the successes and hurdles they encountered along the way. He also goes through the feedback received from staff and students on the process.

We also discuss the future technologies that excite Rob, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and how cloud computing can help enable that.

This week we chatted with Aftab Hussain, information learning technology manager at Bolton College, about Firstpass, an automated system that helps automate the marking and feedback of open-ended questions using artificial intelligence

Aftab talks through the benefits of Firstpass, sharing how the system can help reduce the burden on teachers when marking formative assessments, whilst providing students with instant feedback to their answers.

Lastly, Aftab shares the latest updates and progress of Ada, Bolton college's digital assistant which went live in 2017.

This week Derfel Owen, Registrar and director of student and registry services at University College London, joins us to talk about how the university moved their exams online as part of a university wide digital assessment strategy.

Derfel explains how and why the university chose to transition exams to online at such scale, providing more than 20,000 students with 1200 digital exams in Spring 2021. He also shares the lessons learnt from the project, and provides advice about how other institutions could approach bringing assessments online.

We also discuss the future of assessment, looking into how things such as artificial intelligence help to improve the assessment marking process.

In this episode we are joined by Clare Killen, senior consultant for the business intelligence team at Jisc, to talk about the findings from the recently released HE and FE staff digital experience insight surveys.

The annual survey polls over 6,500 teaching staff in further and higher education, looking into their experiences of using technology to support their teaching.

Clare provides an interesting deep dive analysis into the results, as well as suggesting what can be done to support staff digital skills going forward.

The episode also investigates how the role of teaching staff has changed since the pandemic.

Our guest this week is Debs Gray, Principal of Grimsby Institute, and Jisc trustee. She joined us to talk all about the college’s trailblazing industry 4.0 programme.

This episode is packed with advice about how to support staff and students to prepare for the workplace of the future, in terms of digital skills and making the most out of the tools you already have.

Debs maintains a strong focus on not just levelling the field, but tilting it, giving every student a fair chance. You’d be hard pushed to find someone more passionate about further education.

A big thank you to Debs for coming on the show!

We’re joined by Dr Jill McKay, a senior lecturer of veterinary science education at the University of Edinburgh.

Jill has completed some fascinating research into lecture capture, how students use recordings, and why. The data is really encouraging, so it’s worth a listen to hear some of the benefits, in particular for students from widening participation backgrounds.

As you’ll be able to tell, this was a wonderfully fun and interesting chat. Jill is a brilliant speaker, and shares some great resources to help you to use recordings to their best potential, in a way that helps both staff and students.

Dr Rachel Bolton-King is an associate professor of forensic science, in the department of criminology, policing and forensic science at Staffordshire University. She joins us to talk about remote delivery, and how to help students to engage when working online.

Rachel covers how to ensure forensics students are fully engaged when working online and how to offer a truly immersive experience to students who are at home. We also explore what the future holds for subjects like forensics with large practical elements, and how can technology might help to enhance the teaching and learning experience for students and staff.

This was an inspiring conversation, and Rachel’s enthusiasm and expertise knowledge really shine through. A big thank you to Rachel for coming on the show!

If you’ve listened back to the series over the summer, or particularly enjoy this episode, please do share with your colleagues who might enjoy it too. And don’t forget, if you have any questions, or would like to come on the show, you can email podcast@jisc.ac.uk.

Rob Blagden, director of libraries, technology and information at the University of Gloucestershire, joins us to talk all about the environmental impact of universities, and what can be done to address the climate emergency.

You’ll hear all about what the university is doing in terms of sustainable technology, making physical buildings and systems more eco-friendly, and educating students and staff about the climate emergency.

This week we’re joined by the fantastic Miranda Melcher, a teacher, researcher, author, and a fellow of the higher education academy.

Miranda is currently completing her PhD on post-conflict military reconstruction at King’s College London’s Defence Studies Department, and she joins us to talk all about engaging students when teaching online.

Miranda’s enthusiasm for teaching is palpable. Her ability to engage an audience (and classroom) is evident in this interview, which is packed with tips and resources to do with making the most out of teaching all students virtually.

Miranda has taught as a teaching assistant, a PHD tutor, and provides 1:1 tutoring for students with learning differences.

We also look into the brand new and somehow age-old question – is it better for students to have their cameras on or off?

In this episode, we were joined by Keith W McIntosh, vice president for information services and CIO at the University of Richmond who is a keynote speaker at this year's Digifest.
Coding graphic with text on top that says beyond the technology, the education 4.0 podcast.

We spoke to Keith about his extensive work in diversity, equity, and inclusion, which includes his journey launching Intersections, a discussion group that started organically within his division then grew to include students, faculty, and staff from across the university. This group meets weekly to discuss the -isms of today, their roots in the past, and their impacts on our future.

In this episode we chat with Simon Hayhoe, Digifest speaker and author of six books on disability and the arts. His work is the subject of many international academic courses, and his specialisms are impressive and varied, from culture to disability, technology and teaching.

We chat about his presentation at Digifest next week: accessible technology 4.0, inclusion 2.0 - what next?, as well as where his passion for the subject comes from, how to embrace accessibility on a budget, and what the future holds when making sure technology works for everyone.

Simon is currently based at the University of Bath, and is also a temporary advisor for the World Health Organisation's Academy - as well as a centre research associate in the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science at the London School of Economics and an associate of the Scottish Sensory Centre, University of Edinburgh.

Our guest for this episode is Professor Parama Chaudhury, professor in the department of economics at University College London.

Edtech fanatic, and departmental e-learning champion, Parama’s enthusiasm about using technology to support teaching and learning is infectious. She shares an abundance of tips, as well as stories from her time teaching in America and the UK, and what she’s learned along the way.

The biggest theme in this episode is the importance of structure for students, especially now with lockdowns and online learning having a huge impact on our lives. We discuss wellbeing, how the student experience has changed, and how and why Parama was an early adopter of online assessment.

This week we speak to Hayley Mulenda, all about student mental health. Hayley is an award winning international speaker, author and change agent, who speaks openly about her struggles with mental health as a student, and how best to support students who need help.

In this episode we go on a guided tour of a virtual world for students, created by Itzel Lopez, an international officer from Cardiff and Vale college.

Itzel’s students use the bespoke online environment to benefit both their education and mental wellbeing. The platform is complete with beach-side wellness centre and spaces to socialise. Students can also travel to art galleries and countries all around the world.

Itzel explains how the teaching possibilities are endless when working with second life, sharing the benefits of highly customisable environments. Examples include psychology students looking inside visual representations of the human mind, and simulations of physical trade training, such as working on virtual construction sites.

This interview is full of tips and ideas about getting started if you’d like to start a similar world for your own students, helping them to socialise and share knowledge, without leaving their homes – something that’s become incredibly useful over the past year.

Our guest this week is Jamie Giarraputo, a teaching and learning coach from South Thames College Group. Jamie leapt from the music industry into teaching, and in his own words, fell in love with the whole process.

Edtech, innovation, and digital skills are at the heart of his passion for teaching, and Jamie shares some brilliant tips and tech that can be used to engage learners.

Initially self-isolating during lockdown, Jamie turned to Instagram to share quick, informative and accessible updates to support staff with remote teaching. The TLA team are now on Instagram and Youtube, where they gain comments from teachers all around the world.

Jamie explains the benefits of using social media to support staff to upskill, and the positive impact that such social media accounts can have on staff wellbeing during situations like lockdown.

In this podcast we hear from members sharing their journeys to realising Education 4.0.

This week we chat to Daniel Dybowski Bryant, an English language and Virtual Reality Lecturer (and all-round ideas person) from Coleg Menai.

Daniel uses virtual reality (VR) to create immersive and engaging learning environments for his English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) students. He explains how the technology can be used to support student and staff wellbeing, and why it’s such a good fit for the current national climate, as well as sharing numerous interesting and practical examples of how to use VR in the classroom.

Daniel even shares some words of wisdom from a good friend who just happens to be the creator of virtual reality.

This week we chat to Luke Rudderham-Cozier, a learning technologist from Barnet and Southgate College, all about online assessment.

During lockdown, Luke worked closely with his team to successfully coordinate 17 A level exams over Microsoft Teams. We cover plagiarism, preparing students and staff for online assessment, the human side of implementing technology, and how assessment might change in the future (and much more). Luke also shares a helpful list about where to start when considering online assessment.

This week, we chat with Professor Helen James, deputy vice chancellor at Canterbury Christ Church University, about her work around inclusivity, in particular for women in STEM. We also talk about how the university has coped with the pandemic during lockdown, Helen also shares her perspective on how education may change post-covid.

This week we are joined by Dr Chris Headleand who is director of teaching and learning for the school of computer science at The University of Lincoln. We chat with Chris about the power of games to engage with and teach students, looking into the digital skills and soft skills that games can help to develop. We also talk to Chris about his pirate-themed tour game of the University of Lincoln, which is allowing prospective students to experience the campus digitally.

This week we are joined by Seima Mahmood who is an ESOL Lecturer at Bradford College. Over the course of lockdown Seima and her ESOL students have built an online portal which showcases their experience during lockdown, providing a space for them to share pictures, blogs, recipes and more. The result is a fantastic online space for students, providing them with an engaging social space during lockdown and encouraging them to use and develop their digital skills.

Alongside this, Seima covers what tools have helped her and her students most during this time, how they have overcome hurdles during the transition to digital learning, and how to cope as a teacher during 'the new normal'.

In this episode we chatted with Keith Smyth, professor of pedagogy at University of the Highlands and Islands, about how the pandemic has raised awareness about the importance of accessibility, how it has shown more is possible with offering a flexible learning experience and the future of teaching post-lockdown.

We chatted with Anthony Sinnott, Access and procurement development manager at the University of York, about the logistics of libraries in lockdown, providing access to information during this time, and the positive qualities that have come from the situation.

This week we get a student's view on the response to COVID-19, we were joined by Owen Barlow, final year student and student fellow specialising in wellbeing and the curriculum at the University of Bristol. We chat with Owen about how universities can help support students during this time, the importance of interactivity when teaching online to keep students engaged and how he is handling studying from home.

This week Christian Celecia, Director of Information and Communication Technologies at the University of Gibraltar, shares how they responded to COVID-19 including how they trained and supported the staff to use technology for online teaching and how they have helped play a part in Gibraltar's fight against the virus.

In this podcast we'll hear from members about how they are implementing Education 4.0 technologies including their challenges, successes, and where they had to re-assess.

For the first few weeks we will be focusing on the impact of coronavirus, sharing how further and higher education institutions have responded to the crises and asking how this pandemic could impact learning in the future.

In this week's episode we were joined by Scott Hayden, digital innovation specialist at Basingstoke College of Technology, who shared insight into how they are supporting staff to continue their teaching online and how they have embedded digital learning during this time.

What will the library experience look like in 30 years time? Is there a role for paper books in the future? How will technologies like AI and machine learning factor into all of this?

In this two-part podcast we discuss all of these questions with library experts from higher and further education. We were joined by Dr Jessica Gardener, university librarian and director of library services at University of Cambridge, Nick Woolley, director of library services at Sheffield Hallam University, Neil Grindley head of resource discovery at Jisc and Karen foster, head of learning centres at Yeovil college.

What will the library experience look like in 30 years time? Is there a role for paper books in the future? How will technologies like AI and machine learning factor into all of this?

In this two-part podcast we discuss all of these questions with library experts from higher and further education. We were joined by Dr Jessica Gardener, university librarian and director of library services at University of Cambridge, Nick Woolley, director of library services at Sheffield Hallam University, Neil Grindley head of resource discovery at Jisc and Karen foster, head of learning centres at Yeovil college.

In this episode, John Cartwright director of computing services at the University of Liverpool talks about how his team are improving the student experience and saving staff time with technology. 

John is joined by James Clay, head of higher education and student experience at Jisc, the pair explore the world of data looking how better use of it can transform teaching and power technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence.

How can data help identify ways to improve the student experience? 

Show notes

• Visit our webpage to find out more about Jisc's vision for Education 4.0.
• Get updates on technology in education straight to your inbox by signing up to headlines, our fortnightly newsletter

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

In this new episode of What the Edtech?! we explore web accessibility and the new regulations for websites and mobile applications for public sector bodies that came into force at the end of last year.

We hear from Julia Taylor, subject specialist (accessibility and inclusion) at Jisc, and Robert McLaren from Policy Connect.

Since the launch of the series we’ve had fantastic feedback from listeners with lots of suggestions for topics for future episodes – thank to everyone who has been in touch via our Twitter and Facebook pages. We’re already hard at work on series two but in the meantime enjoy this ‘best of’ episode.

In the final episode of series one of What the Edtech?! we take a look back over the best bits so far. This mega-mix of insight and advice from top industry experts from the worlds of education and technology, covers everything from social media for student engagement to learning analytics to the future of AI in education. We’ve collected all the key take-aways into one concise 40-minute episode.

Since the launch of the series we’ve had fantastic feedback from listeners with lots of suggestions for topics for future episodes – thank to everyone who has been in touch via our Twitter and Facebook pages. We’re already hard at work on series two but in the meantime enjoy this ‘best of’ episode.

Artificial intelligence: the biggest shake up since the invention of the motorcar?

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

An in-depth look at cyber security, the types of attacks targeted at universities and colleges and the measures taken to mitigate the risks.

Jisc’s chief security analyst Lee Harrigan-Green joins us this week to give insight on the cyber security threats facing institutions and their students. In a fast-moving sector where preventative measures must stay ahead of new and evolving threats, Lee takes us through what individuals and organisations can do to stay secure online. Apprentice developer James Hodgkinson also joins the panel to discuss experiences during his apprenticeship.

In a special expert practitioner segment, Jisc’s Matthew O’Donnell reveals the work of a penetration tester attempting to uncover chinks in the armour of institutions security.

Show notes

For a comprehensive collection of resources and further information on cyber security, head to the cyber security section of our website.

Celebrating the careers of female tech experts, their motivations and the challenges they’ve faced in an industry where in the UK just one in six specialists are women.

Female representation in the tech sector has stalled over the last ten years despite efforts to encourage more women into the industry. Our panel this week, editor of Education Technologymagazine Charley Rogers and Jisc training director Shirley Wood, discuss their careers, motivations, and what can be done to create a more diverse tech workforce and why this is important.

Our expert pratitioner this episode is Helen Richardson, learning, innovation and IT manager for Gateshead College, who gives us an insight into her career and the innovative work she's leading. 

Our experts explore the fascinating (and mind boggling) world of artificial intelligence (AI), and how cloud computing is changing how we think about access to technology.

Student contracts, data collection, the ideas of students as customers, and the employability agenda all take a turn under the microscope.

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

We explore the mysterious world of learning analytics, and how it can potentially be used to enhance the student learning experience.

Senior co-design manager Paul Bailey and project officer at UCL Samantha Ahern join us as the learning technology experts for episode four of What the Edtech?! They discuss what data institutions are currently collecting on their students, consent and boundaries and the future of learning analytics.

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Episode three is all about the changing landscape of research. We hear conversations between Terry Clark, research fellow in performance science at the Royal College of Music, and an honorary research fellow at Imperial College London, and Caroline Ingram, our senior co-design manager. We also chatted to Dr Rachel Bolton-King, lecturer in forensic investigation who shares a fascinating case study from Staffordshire University.

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Our expert guests in this episode are discussing startups and how great ideas are turned into successful businesses. Sue Attewell, head of change for further education and skills at Jisc, and Atif Mahmood, founder and CEO of edtech startup Teacherly, join our host with bucket loads of tips and advice for any fledgling startup. 

Vivi Friedgut is today’s expert practitioner. Her passionate account of how she founded Blackbullion will provide motivation to any startup in need of some inspiration. 

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Welcome to the very first episode of our brand new podcast What the edtech!? In this episode, our host, Laura Kidd, is joined by education consultant and thought leader, Eric Stoller, head of change - student experience, Sarah Knight, and Kardi Somerfield, senior lecturer in digital marketing and advertising at The University of Northampton.

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Sue Attewell chats to us about our student ideas competition, which launches next year; from how to work the competition into the curriculum, to what students can gain from entering (from business skills to confidence and everything in-between).

Together with Emerge Education, we're looking for fresh edtech ideas from students. Winners will receive £2,000 and expert mentoring. The student ideas competition is part of our edtech launchpad.

Learn more and register your interest

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Staff digital capabilities are central to student and organisational success. It's a digital world, and in addition to a chosen subject, students are preparing for work and life in a digital society. 

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Within the world of publishing, we are seeing some new trends emerge. Born from a desire to change the current publishing landscape, dominated by a handful of large commercial publishers, there is an increase in new publishing models, being led by universities and academics.

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

As the UK population becomes digitally-savvy from an increasingly younger age, it’s easy to assume tech take-up is evenly shared across every aspect of our lives. 

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Can colleges and skills providers become efficient and financially stable, while also providing an excellent learning experience that produces a workforce with the skills required to help the UK economy thrive post-Brexit and beyond?

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

Recently, a number of colleges and universities have asked for advice on how to manage the digital elements (pictures, recordings, etc) of their research data projects. To help answer your questions we’ve created a new guide to audiovisual research data. It's not just for creative arts research, but advice for any subject area.

Our shiny new competition celebrates the excellent social media work being done by sector professionals out there - we’re looking for the most innovative ways of social being used to add value to teaching.

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

At Jisc we believe that education technology (edtech) can improve education, research and student life – and not just in the classroom or lecture theatre. However, most of us are consumers of technology rather than producers. 

Like this podcast? Subscribe via iTunes or add the RSS feed to your favourite podcast app. You can also visit the Jisc website for more content.

We’re on the look-out for the most social media-savvy folk in higher education (HE). Sound like you? Well, if you make our top ten list you could win an edtech visit for your class, with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and even a robot, and hey, it’s always nice to be acknowledged for your hard work!

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We launched our report, the evolution of FELTAG, last spring to celebrate effective digital practice in colleges and skills organisations, and to inspire others. Here, two colleges discuss how they're getting to grips with the FELTAG recommendations.

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Jisc's Mark O'Leary, head of network access, and Emma Smith, Govroam development manager, discuss the benefits of  Govroam - bringing the success of eduroam to other public services.

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Overseas’ students are a key part of the UK economy, but Brexit is already having an effect on the numbers from the EU who want to study here. To ensure the UK remains a world leader in delivering education and research internationally we must now capitalise on developing opportunities for “borderless” study

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Boosting retention is an area where learning analytics could have a big part to play in supporting fair access. Evidence from around the world shows that effective use of insights from learning analytics can be used to achieve statistically significant increases in retention.

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At Digifest this year, our startups competition had a twist and nine teams pitched live to a crowd of sector experts and peers in an attempt to bag the grand prize of a support package worth up to £20,000. 

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There's a huge interest in the next generation of digital learning environments. At Digifest we caught up with Lawrie Phipps, our senior co-design manager, who spoke with Ange Fitzpatrick from Cambridge University and Elizabeth Ellis from the Open University about what those environments might look like.

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Jisc's Sarah Davies discusses technology-enhanced learning in HE.

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Jisc's Rob Wyn Jones shares a learning analytics update at Digifest 2017.

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We chatted to Steven Exley, FE editor at TES, and Wendy Peskett, TES award winner, at Digifest17 - our celebration of all things digital.

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Jisc's Futurist Martin Hamilton shares the best of Bett 2017, the world’s largest education technology event.

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Jisc's CEO discusses a changing HE landscape

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A review of funding for students with disabilities has led to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) placing duties on further education colleges to develop an evidence-based access and inclusion strategy. 

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Each area of enquiry should map out a journey, from where your organisation is now, the direction in which you’re travelling, and who needs to come with you – with digital being the vehicle that will enable you to get there. So, what should happen next? 

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The imperative to increase use of technology and improve the digital skills capability of the workforce is a common thread running through recent government and sector reports. Clare Killen explains how Jisc are meeting the challenge.

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Researchers continuously have to make decisions around preserving their data, the best way to describe it, and who will have the long-term oversight. Daniela Duca looks into ways that we can create user-led solutions for better research.

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The 2016 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards on 24 November 2016 saw the sector come together to recognise innovation from institutions across the UK, showcasing the best of higher education.

Dr Daniel Morgan, Associate Professor: Igneous Petrology & Volcanology; talks to us about the winning project, Virtual Landscape. Then Martin Hamilton, Jisc's resident Futurist, discusses the judging process.

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The AoC Annual Conference and Exhibition marks the coming together of people from across the further education sector to exchange ideas, share best practice and stimulate debate.

Speaking to Val Keay, Paul McKean, Jisc head of FE and skills, reflects on the Jisc panel session from the first day, which featured college principals who are using technology to enable organisational change and enhance the learning experience.

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