Digital Leaders and Digital LeanersNIACE Digital
Learning Conference
14/11/14
#digitalstudent http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
Jisc Digital Student Project» http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
» Phase 1 study reviewed students’ expectations and experiencesof the digital environment at university
» A review of practice by Dave White in schools to identify likely incoming expectations
» Phase 2 we are now focusing on FE with plans to extend the project to wider skills sector led by Oxford Brookes University
» Literature review| review of institutional data | stakeholder interviews | learner focus groups | consultation events
FE Digital Student project
» What do learners WANT (expectations) in relation to the digital?
» What do learners NEED to succeed (experiences)?
» Guidance for colleges on how to gather learners’ views, how to engage learners in an ongoing dialogue about the digital and how to better support learners digital experience
» Identify top challenges in relation to the digital learner experience and begin to develop a set of learner entitlements and enhancements to support colleges address these challenges
» Support for the project from NUS, NIACE, AoC and 157 Group
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FELTAG
» “FELTAG’s research and conversations consistently referred to the under-exploitation of learners’ skills, devices and technical knowledge when it came to the use of learning technology.
» The greatest resource available to FE and Skills providers in this domain is their learners.
» More effort needs to be made to engage and empower learners’ use of digital technology - and the use of their own devices – in the learning process.”
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What the learners say?
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› Free, ubiquitous, robust access to wifi and services
› VLE – organisation, time/task, content – consistency
› Support for BYO but continued access to institutional hardware/software
› Core info about my studies available on my device
› Support for developing skills relevant to the workplace
› Vague about use of technology for learning
Experiences...
› Highly variable in respect of: previous experience, chosen subject, personal preferences and aspirations
› Value perceived in retrospect: unexpected is developmental
› Study habits with technology are hybrid:informal, peer supported + academic, formally acquired
› Critical moments with technology often formally taught:e-journals, data analysis, design, ref/project management...
› Teaching staff confidence still important
› Digital identity a key motivation and outcome
Literature Review: What we looked for
Research questions:» what technology learners own and have access
to when they enter FE
» what technology learners expect to be provided with by their college
» how learners make use of the technology and digital environments they are provided with
» how learners’ expectations of technology use are formed and change during time spent in FE
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How do learners experience the digital environment in FE?
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Vocational
Higher education
A levels
Basic skills
Apprenticeships
Background
Prior educational/work experience
Achievement
14-90 years old
Full/part-time
Day release
Chris Davies, the Learner and their Context, Becta
Unconnected and vulnerable
Mainstream pragmatist
Intensive and specialist
enthusiast
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Overview
unconnected and vulnerable
Access-led
Access conceived of
broadly
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mainstream
pragmatist
Tutor-led
Pedagogy –led
Institution-led
Staff experiment with activities
and tools
intensive and specialist
enthusiast
Learner-led
Social digital literacy practices
are valued
Learners who are:
Experience the digital environment as:
Best where
Learner Focus GroupsDate College
14 Oct Eastbourne-Sussex Downs College +Learnervoices video clips(1st and 2nd years)
30 Oct Borders College (Health and Social Care)
5 Nov Bristol – City of Bristol College(two vocational groups, 1st and 2nd years)
6 Nov Myerscough College(New starts and final years, Animal Academy)
24 Nov, 11 Dec
Activate Learning + Learner voices video clipsL3 Heath and Care learners
3 Dec Coleg Gwent
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Desk
research
Focus groups
Consultation
events
Join us for the consultation Events
Date Location & Venue
15 Jan 2015 BirminghamThe Studio Birmingham
20 Jan 2015 ManchesterThe Studio Manchester
25 Feb 2015 BristolThe Mercure Holland House Hotel
04 Mar 2015 Edinburgh Training Centre, Scotland
25 March 2015 LondonThe Hatton, 51-53 Hatton Garden
23 April 2015 WalesThe Village Hotel, Swansea
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Desk
research
Focus groups
Consultation
events
http://bit.ly/FEDigitalstudentevents
Group discussion:
What are your challenges in providing a better digital experience for your learners?
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Feedback using: http://padlet.com/sarahknight/barriers
Transforming practice through technology at Blackburn College
Deborah Millar, Head of e-Learning
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Supporting a better digital learner experience
» Prepare learners to study in digitally-enhanced settings, and explain clearly how digital technologies can support their learning
» Engage learners in conversations about their digital practice, and involve them in projects to enhance provision
» Enable staff to innovate their own practices with technology and to confidently support learners
» Create a physical/virtual environment that supports the use of personal devices, applications, networks and services
» Integrate digital issues into long-term planning, considering the complete learner journey and the need to respond to emerging challenges
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What one thing should colleges/providers do to enhance learners’ digital experience?
Feedback using: http://padlet.com/sarahknight/onething
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Follow the progress of the project:
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
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#digitalstudent
Find out more…
10/06/2014 Jisc Digital Student http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org.uk
Sarah Knight
Twitter: sarahknight
Deborah Millar
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
Join Jisc Change Agents Network [email protected]
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND
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