Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast

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.

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.