Academic Technology news and updates
This page contains updates about new technologies or developments in current technologies and information about TEL events that you might find useful.
Digifest 2017
This two day event took place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham and focussed on the 'power of digital'.
Day one
Plenary one
The first session of day one was a rather strange plenary discussion/debate with senior members of JISC who explored what a digital revolution of learning and teaching meant and set the scene for how Digifest intended to make that revolution a reality. Further information about the speakers is available here:
https://www.jisc.ac.uk/events/digifest-14-mar-2017/plenary-speakers
The slides from the session are available here:
https://www.slideshare.net/JISC/jisc-digifest-2017-day-one-plenary-and-welcome
Seminar one
The first seminar of day one that I attended was called 'Designing digitally-enhanced curricula' and gave an overview of current research in this area and explored how colleges and universities were using innovative approaches to developing staff digital capability. The presenters were:
- Scott Hayden, digital innovation specialist, Basingstoke College of Technology
- Sky Caves, learning technologist apprentice, Basingstoke College of Technology
- Holly Hunt, learning facilitator, Basingstoke College of Technology
- Emily Armstrong, libraries and e-learning manager, Hull College (representing Hull Digital Technologies network)
- Dr Lucy Robinson, senior lecturer modern British history, University of Sussex
- Keir Waddington, professor of History, Cardiff University
The slides from the session are available here:
https://www.slideshare.net/JISC/designing-digitallyenhanced-curricula
Plenary two
The second plenary was given by Geoff Mulgan, chief executive and CEO of Nesta. Nesta is the UK's innovation foundation and runs a wide range of activities in investment, practical innovation programmes and research.
His presentation is available here:
https://www.slideshare.net/JISC/jisc-digifest-2017-plenary-session-with-keynote-from-geoff-mulgan
Seminar two
'Digital jamming: creativity, collaboration and skill-building through easy engagements with media technologies' was a session given by Sara Perry from the University of York. Sara is Director of Studies for Digital Heritage; here is a copy of her presentation:
Seminar three
'How can technology help us meet the needs of a wider range of learners?'
- Mike Sharples, The Open University / FutureLearn
- Mike Snowden, University of Huddersfield
One of the arguments often made for technology-enhanced learning is that it enables greater flexibility for learners and institutions, enabling learners to vary the mode, pace and place of their learning, and making it easier for non-traditional and geographically distributed students to participate and be supported. In order for this to happen, though, we need to explore new models of provision and delivery, making the most of what technology can offer.
In this workshop presenters from a range of HE providers shared how they designed learning opportunities and support that was flexible enough to meet the needs of a wide range of students, and considered the impact on providers and students.
Seminar four
'Flipping, pedagogies, mobile and more: case studies from the Hull Digital Technologies Network' was delivered by Emily Armstrong, the Libraries and e-Learning Manager at Hull College Group.
This session demonstrated Hull Digital Technologies Network (#HullDTN)’s case studies of new approaches to digital pedagogies including flipped and mobiles learning as detailed in the free e-book and reflected on their experiences of working together and future plans including the Mobile March collaborative online training.
The session included discussion around the value of shared practice, hands-on demonstrations of some of the technologies partners have been using and reflections on their success. Slides are not available.
Debate one
'Digital technology is fundamentally changing learning and teaching in higher education' was a debate between our own Amber Thomas (Service Owner, Academic Technology Support here at Warwick) and Professor Neil Morris, Director of Digital Education at Leeds University. Amber was against the argument and Neil was for the argument.
Debate questions:
Is digital technology fundamentally changing learning and teaching in higher education, altering how courses are planned and delivered, and how learners experience higher education?
Or is the use of digital technology in education more of an evolution of existing practices, with economic forces likely to be a much more significant driver of change over the next ten years?
Day two
Debate two
'Digital capabilities: how best to prepare for employability'
Panel members:
- Kerry Pinny, academic technologist University of Lincoln
- Dave White, University of the Arts London (representing Marcus Elliot, Bishop Grosseteste University)
The emphasis on digital skills is ubiquitous in both higher and further education as is the need to link those skills and capabilities to future employment.
This debate asked the question, with regards to digital, how best can we prepare our students for employability? What are the implications for staff across all areas, and how will it impact on the curriculum?
The slides are not available.
Seminar five
'Learning and exploring with new technology at Dundee and Angus College'
The Learning Lab at Dundee and Angus College is a space to promote the use of innovative technology through hands on learning, with the support of learning technologies staff.
In this demo we saw examples of how staff and learners have the opportunity to explore, experiment, create and learn using emerging technology in a safe, exciting space full of technology, which includes virtual and augmented reality, 3D capture/printing and drones.
The facility creates a 21st century learning experience which stimulates and enhances the student experience as well as providing opportunities to develop new skills
Seminar six
'Perspectives on implementing a vision for developing staff digital capability'
- Deborah Millar, director for digital learning and IT services, Salford City College
- Steve Rowett, UCL
This talk presented two different approaches to operationalising a strategic vision around the development of staff digital capability, from both higher and further education contexts.
We heard from one university and one college who outlined their vision for staff digital capability, discussed their approaches and strategies to achieving that vision, and highlighted the lessons learned.
Seminar seven
'Making best use of technology for employability: the JISC employability toolkit'
This session provided a walkthrough of the models, guidance and examples of effective technology use for employability included within the Jisc employability toolkit.
Seminar eight
We heard how this paperless and seamless new approach to assessing can save time writing reports and making arrangements to get the assessor and candidate in the same room.
iObserve enables anyone to record the session and upload it as evidence of their work. A simple click clearly marks the evidence in the recording you need so no more taking notes and missing what the candidates or interviewees are saying or doing. Students are, as a result, not only able to review their abilities, they are also included in the assessment process, more incentivised than ever to perform well, and assessors have irrefutable evidence of their skills.
Presentation not available.
Seminar nine
'What are students' expectations and experiences of technology?'
- Rob Howe, head of learning technology - and students, University of Northampton
- Richard Aird, head of customer services - and students, University of Stirling
- Vikki Liogier, head of digital literacy, voice and innovation, Epping Forest College
- Zac Grego and Brad Forsyth, students, Epping Forest College
- Malcolm Allen, ILT/e-learning co-ordinator, Bexhill Sixth Form College
- Benula Benny, Nirutt Sibutda, Reuel Thompson, students, Bexhill Sixth Form College
Universities and colleges are increasingly working in partnership with their students on the development of their digital environment and content. As a result, students experience a digitally enabled learning experience which better meets their needs and offers them the digital skills they require for the workplace.
But do we really know how students are using technology and do they use the digital content provided or do they find their own from the wealth of resources available online?
This interactive workshop provided participants with an overview of innovative approaches colleges and universities are using to gather their students’ views on digital and how they are they are using the data collected to inform the development of their digitally enhanced learning and teaching provision.
https://www.slideshare.net/JISC/what-are-students-expectations-and-experiences-of-technology
Plenary three
Lauren Seger Weinstein, chief data officer at Transport for London talked about how they use data to inform their strategies etc.
https://www.slideshare.net/JISC/closing-plenary-and-keynote-from-lauren-sager-weinstein