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.