What the Edtech?!

In this episode, Simon Birkett chats to Jackie Potter, Helen O'Sullivan and Laura Milne from the University of Chester about their digital transformation journey, from beginning to work through Jisc's digital maturity model, to redesigning their VLE. The guests begin by reflecting on their recent demonstrating digital transformation event held at the university, showcasing their plans for learning development and the use of technology for learners. The conversation then turns to the importance of culture, people and process for successful digital transformation, with Jackie, Helen and Laura discussing the broad impact digital transformation can have all across the university. Next, the guests focus on their curriculum redesign project and the redevelopment of their VLE, bringing colleagues together for co-design sessions, daring to dream wild dreams about what was possible, gathering feedback and incorporating it into further rounds. Finally, the episode concludes with Jackie, Helen and Laura sharing their predictions for what the sector will look like in five years' time. Show notes: Read University of Chester's case study on their involvement in the research pilot of Jisc's digital transformation toolkit Learn more about Jisc's digital transformation toolkit Discover the ‘How to approach digital transformation in higher education' report and case studies Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

In this podcast recorded live at Digifest 2025, hear from University of Leeds and University of Northampton on how they are using Jisc's research on international students' digital experience, alongside building digital capability and insights from student survey data. Learn how they've shaped their support systems to better assist international students and foster a more inclusive digital experience for all. Watch a video version of the podcast. Show notes Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates Read phase one and phase two of Jisc's international students' digital experience report Learn more about Jisc's building digital capability tool Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

This podcast, recorded live at Digifest 2025, will support your understanding and implementation of Esports curriculum through British Esports' endorsed programmes and why you should join this digital revolution in education. Guests Tom Dore and Andy Miah explain the growing global phenomenon of the Esports industry, how this coincides with Esports in education and how you can join the hundreds of schools and colleges that are already part of this revolution through qualifications with Leadership Skills Foundation, Pearson and through their participation in the British Esports Student Champs. How can Esports transform your digital strategy and innovate your pedagogical approach and curriculum design to support the future workforce, to address skills gaps and engage a tech-agile, digital generation of young people that are in our classrooms? If you haven't developed an Esports curriculum offer yet, why not? Watch a video version of the podcast. Show notes Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates Learn more about the British Esports Federation Visit the Media City Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub website Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

Recorded live at Digifest 2025, this episode features a discussion of previous participants from the digital leaders programme who have demonstrated and implemented their learning within their organisations as they reflect on the Digifest 2025 themes of data-informed education, student success, learning for the future, technology for good, and collaboration for impact. Watch a video version of the podcast. Show notes Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates Learn more about the digital leaders programme Book on to the digital leaders programme Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

If you missed the generative AI in education panel at Digifest 2025, here's your chance to hear our interview with panellist Philippa Armstrong, learning technology coach at Nottingham College, recorded live at the event. Philippa discusses the current uses, potential benefits and concerns associated with generative AI in education. What happens when generative AI moves from buzzword to reality? Philippa explores real-world lessons learned, opportunities and concerns as we cut through the hype to discover what it takes to move from promise to practice. Watch a video version of the podcast Show notes Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates Explore our work to support the adoption of generative AI Read our primer on generative AI Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

Andrew McFadyen and Dom Walker meet to discuss how the DEI survey reveals the evolving digital environment in education for students, learners and staff across FE and HE. The surveys take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete and are concise but comprehensive enough to offer insights so organisations can tailor their decision making and planning around digital investment and resource development. Dom talks about this year's launch on 9 April of a centralised national survey for FE. This is open to individual teaching staff and professional services staff across the UK directly, to do the survey even if their colleges aren't making the survey available locally. This is your chance if you're involved in FE to share your voice and digital experiences. Listen to the full episode to hear about previous DEI survey themes and emerging trends in AI. You'll also find out how with your help we can build our picture of FE digital experience to feedback and advise the FE sector and wider community.   Show notes Learn more about the digital experience insights (DEI) surveys View the digital experience insights reports Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

Digifest 2025 may be over but here's your chance to hear one of the podcasts recorded live at the event. Host Iwan Lehnert welcomes Mark Andrews, principal strategic development manager at Adobe and Jonathan Hofgartner, head of learning and teaching - licensing at Jisc to discuss how integrating Adobe Express into curriculum design and delivery aligns with key themes in Jisc's digital transformation framework for higher education. Discover how insights on digital culture and curriculum development are shaping the partnership between Jisc and Adobe to support institutions who have invested in Adobe Express via Jisc's software licensing. Watch a video version of the podcast. Show notes Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates Learn more about the Transforming Together: Leading and Learning programme Read about Jisc's framework for digital transformation in higher education Visit the Chest website to learn about the Jisc Adobe ETLA agreement with new Adobe Express option Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

Simon Birkett is joined by Professor Phil Hanna, Stefanie Savage-Campbell, and Dr. Aidan Deery from Queen's University Belfast to discuss embracing AI, digital transformation, and the evolving role of education.  The team share how Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is taking a proactive approach to AI, focusing on innovation and student success while balancing risks and opportunities.   They go on to highlight the university's focus on values, behaviours, and adaptability in digital education discussing how fostering a supportive culture enables students and staff to experiment with new technologies and approaches to learning.   Looking ahead, the team discusses the future of digital transformation in education. From curriculum design to the integration of AI in teaching and assessment, they explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for institutions adapting to an ever-changing digital landscape.   Listen to the full episode to hear insights on leadership in digital transformation, strategies for supporting staff and students, and predictions for the future of education in a rapidly evolving technological world.  Show Notes  Views shared by beyond the technology guests do not necessarily represent the views of Jisc  Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, for all the latest news, guidance and events tailored to you  If you want to come on the show, or have any questions, get in touch with us by emailing podcast@jisc.ac.uk  Read the findings from our digital transformation research pilot.  Find out more about embracing AI with confidence at Jisc. 

With Digifest 2025 on the horizon, in this episode of Beyond the Technology host Iwan Lehnert meets with Rob Wraith, head of learning technology and digital learning at NCG to discuss his breakout session at the event. Rob begins the conversation by giving a preview of his upcoming Digifest 2025 presentation on empowering employability with digital solutions to drive skills development, touching on the adoption of virtual reality and virtual environments, as well as making use of technology that is already embedded in the classroom. Next, Rob shares NCG's approach to using digital learning to enhance the student experience, and the importance of ensuring that any software is as inclusive and accessible as possible. Listen to the full episode to also hear what Rob is looking forward to at Digifest, advice on integrating digital tools and more. Show notes Connect with Rob on LinkedIn Visit the NCG website Register for Digifest 2025 Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

We caught up with our head of analytics, James Hodgkin, at the launch of learning analytics. James talks about the new features available, the importance of people at the heart of data and future plans for the updated platform including student wellbeing. Show notes Watch the live recording Learn more about the learning analytics platform Read our blog on the future of learning analytics: make data your organisation's priority Listen to our tech takes podcast, delivering learning analytics fit for the future Read the Office for Students (OfS) mental health analytics project - an evaluation Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

In this episode of our further education and skills (FE) podcasts, host Andrew McFadyen talks to Phil Whitehead from DN Colleges Group. Throughout this series, hosts 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. Phil starts by sharing his journey from secondary school teacher to Director of Academic Services and Digital Learning, and finding success with his YouTube channel, Teachblend. Next, Phil discusses his current project, immersive rooms, and how they can foster collaboration with other colleges as well as reducing travel for learners. Phil explains how he's used the Jisc building digital capability tool to underpin their DN Digital Skills program, building staff digital capability and resilience. Listen to the full episode to also hear how Phil connects with peers in the sector, advice for using digital technology in the classroom, and how he feels the role of the FE teacher might change over time. Show notes Visit the DN Colleges Group website Connect with Phil on LinkedIn View Phil's YouTube channel, Teachblend Follow Phil on Bluesky Read more about the immersive rooms Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

Exploring how we can bridge digital inequity for international and transnational students, with insights from experts across Nigeria, Pakistan, and the UK. We delve into the complexities of digital inequity faced by international and transnational education students, focusing on insights from experts and lived experiences in Nigeria, Pakistan, and the UK. We discuss the impact of infrastructure disparities, cultural shifts in digital learning, and the importance of preparing students for technological transitions before arriving in the UK.  Elizabeth Newall, senior sector specialist at Jisc, invites Doctor Rafael Escalon Reynoso, CEO at the  Portulans Institute, Doctor Sonia Saleem, founder and CEO of Socio Engineering Technologies, and Ikechukwu Okoye, secretary general for the Nigeria Esports Federation and the director of Afri Start Innovation Hub, to share their insights on bridging digital inequity.   The conversation highlights the growing investments in digital maturity, the challenges of integrating technology into education, and the pivotal role of public-private partnerships and collaboration in fostering equitable access to digital tools and resources for students worldwide. Show notes Views shared by beyond the technology guests do not necessarily represent the views of Jisc Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, for all the latest news, guidance and events tailored to you If you want to come on the show, or have any questions,  get in touch with us by emailing podcast@jisc.ac.uk Find out more about the researching international students' digital experience project. Dive deeper into the Portulans institute reports Learn more about the Nigeria E-sports Federation Download Briefing paper - Portulans (BP 4) Digital country profiles: international students' digital experiences in relation to their home country's civil digital infrastructure (pdf)

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 our second further education and skills focused podcast, Sheena Murphy-Collett, Petroc College's Vice Principal of people, organisational development and engagement joins us to discuss digital growth, from seed to flower. This is the second 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. Sheena Murphy-Collett, Vice Principal of people, organisational development and engagement at Petroc College, begins by revealing her unconventional route into FE and how her suite of transferable skills benefit her current role. Next, Sheena discusses the digital focus at Petroc College, orienting herself into three new teams and using Jisc's digital elevation tool to give structure and priorities to those teams. Sheena also talks about the excellent contacts she has made through Jisc community events and the opportunities they have opened up. To close, Sheena shares her advice for teachers looking to utilise digital technology, her views on how the role of the FE teacher may change over time and a look at Petroc College's digital three year plan. 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

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

In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, Elizabeth Newall, senior consultant in the Digital transformation of learning, teaching, and assessment at Jisc, welcomes a panel of experts from the University of Northampton. They discuss their innovative approach to rethinking learning and curriculum design in higher education. The conversation begins by discussing the University of Northampton's unique setting. Shân Wareing, deputy vice chancellor, and Rob Howe, head of learning technology, share how their Waterside campus allowed them to consolidate facilities into a more sustainable space. This campus was designed for blended learning, offering laptops to eligible students, and featuring various learning spaces. Shân discusses the university's evolving digital strategy with the creation of an artificial intelligence group to address academic integrity concerns and to explore AI's educational potential. The podcast delves into the challenges of supporting staff in learning and curriculum design. Jim Harris, a learning designer, highlights the fear of change as a significant hurdle. Jim emphasises the importance of considering staff members' various levels of understanding and comfort with digital processes and learning design, ranging from basic introductions to advanced publishing. Kate Coulson, head of learning and teaching enhancement, discusses the pivotal role of students in curriculum design and learning. Kate advocates for a "give and take" model, where students become co-creators of the curriculum rather than passive recipients, emphasising the importance of investing time and resources. Lastly, Shân shares her vision for digital transformation at the University of Northampton, highlighting that the focus should remain on how students learn. Shân underscores the importance of culture, creativity, and patience in the process, as well as the need to prioritise people over technology. Show notes ·       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 Lis Parcell is joined by Matt Turner and Gabi Witthaus at the Higher Education Futures institute (HEFi), University of Birmingham to talk about a hybrid teaching project involving two universities. Gabi and Matt were part of a research team made up of staff and students from University of Nottingham (project lead) and University of Birmingham (project partner) which investigated experiences of hybrid teaching and learning in academic year 2020/2021. The principal investigator was Cecilia Goria (University of Nottingham) and the project was supported and funded by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). “…the term ‘hybrid teaching' is used to refer to lectures/seminars/classes in which some students are physically present in a classroom and others join online simultaneously from remote locations” Lis begins by talking to Matt and Gabi about the origins of the project and their definition of hybrid teaching. They look at how hybrid teaching rooms were developed at the two participating universities to enable all students to continue studying as some returned to campus and some remained online as Covid restrictions were lifted. Importantly, the research involved collaboration between students and staff and they touch on how this was achieved. The project gathered a fascinating array of quantitative and qualitative data from over 500 students and nearly 50 staff (teaching and audio-visual/IT) across the two universities. Gabi and Matt offer an overview of the main themes which emerged, interspersed with quotes from staff and students. Whilst the project's recommendations make particularly valuable reading for anyone contemplating hybrid teaching, we also hear how they might inform digital transformation of learning and teaching more generally. Gabi and Matt finish with reflections on some potential areas for further investigation. Show notes ·       Read the full report published on QAA website. ·       Goria, C., Witthaus, G., Turner, M., Hanford, S., Bhend, M., Wray, A., Wahyudi, M., & Gibson, A. (2022). Hybrid teaching: a futurist model or a realist model for the future? QAA. (Accessed 2 June 2023) ·       Find out more about the work of the Higher Education Futures Institute, University of Birmingham. ·       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.    

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.