Jisc’s research into students’ experiences and expectations of technology began in 2006 with the Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning programme. This became a reference study for the sector and helped change the way institutions understand students’ experiences with technology. Studies in partnership with the British Library, and work carried out by Jisc’s recent ‘Developing Digital Literacies' programme, have furthered our understanding of students' digital practices and needs. Now, through Jisc’s Co-Design programme, the Digital Student project has brought us up to date with how students' expectations are changing and what institutions are doing to keep up with them. This workshop will offer delegates an opportunity to engage with the findings and recommendations from the Digital Student study and to consider what impact these could have in their own institutional context. A large part of the session will be taken up with a scenario planning activity in which delegates explore different outcomes depending on whether or not institutions rise to the digital challenge. There will be an opportunity to share effective approaches and to inform the next phase of activities being planned by Jisc to support the Digital Student Experience into the future.

1. http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
Digital Student - Understanding students' expectations
and experiences of the digital environment
12/03/2014
#digitalstudent

2. Welcome and introductions
12/03/2014 Jisc Digital Student http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org.uk 2
Dave White, Co-
manager ofTALL,
University of
Oxford
@daveowhite
Helen Beetham,
Consultant in
Higher Education
@helenbeetham
Paul Bailey,
Senior Co-
Design
Manager, Jisc
Sarah Knight,
Senior Co-
Design
Manager, Jisc
@sarahknight

3. Digital Student Project
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» Digital Student phase 1 study conducted a review into students’
expectations and experiences of the digital environment at university
» The study reviewed existing research and survey evidence from
institutions, as well as conducting original interviews and focus groups
» Jisc and its co-design partners (UCISA, SCONUL, RLUK and RUGIT) are
now supporting a consultation phase across the higher education sector
which will inform the final guidance to institutions and further actions by
Jisc and its partners
» A parallel study in FE and Skills with similar consultation events will
shortly get underway
» Review of current practice in secondary schools is also underway
» Find out more at http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org #digitalstudent

4. Digital Student - Phase 1
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» An initial study reviewed existing evidence about students'
expectations and experiences of study in a digital environment.
This includes both:
› digital environment generally e.g. wifi, IT support, access to
devices and printers
› the study environment in its digital aspects e.g. how digital
resources and media are used; what software students access,
how they use their own devices and services to support learning
› The study also looked at how universities collect, manage and
analyse such information locally, and how they engage students
in a productive dialogue about their digital experience.

5. Some tensions
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digital know-how
personal/social
expectations
schools/workplaces
frictionless use
academic practice
institutional
requirements
HE/FE
thresholds of practice
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org

6. So what?
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Can your institution meet students' rising
expectations of digital access and use?
Do your students' learning experiences prepare
them to live and work in a digital society?
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org

7. The student digital experience in 2020
»The year is 2020.
»How will students
experience the digital
environment of university...
»... in a number of different
future scenarios?
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8. The process
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» Introduction - some
common ground for all the
scenarios
» Groupwork (at tables of 5-
8): elaborate one future
scenario
» Ideas captured and shared
on posters

9. Principles to remember
» Scenarios are ‘tools for
thinking with’, not predictions.
» 2020 is not that far ahead so
think continuous rather than
discontinuous change
» Much of the common ground
can be ignored...
» ...what matters is how things
are different for students and
institutions in the four
scenarios.
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10. Common ground
Ideas about HE2020 (mainly) from students
» Ubiquitous connectivity and data exchange
» Blend of institutional/personal devices, services, licenses,
networks (PLE).
» All potentially useful content ‘a blink away’
» Continuous digital recording of experience
» Formal/informal learning becoming blended
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11. Common ground
Ideas about HE2020 (mainly) from students
» Faster, more personal/adaptive feedback
» Open content, open accreditation
» Universities’ use of student data key to success
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12. Common ground
»You can read more about students’ ideas for HE
2020 on the blog
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
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13. Our four scenarios
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14. Our four scenarios
» Expectations
› Responding to what students’ want based on their
experiences before/outside of university
» Experiences
› Providing what students need to succeed at university
and in the digital world beyond
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15. Session 1 poster
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What is it like in your scenario?
» What are institutions providing for students?
» What are students providing for themselves?
» What is the experience like for students?
library services
learning content
accreditation
relevant experiences
feedback
curriculum
teaching and learning support
networks
data services
digital know-how
devices

16. Time to share ideas…
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»Share your poster
»Look at what the other group(s)
have said
»Be ready to feed back:
what issue must universities
address now to ensure success /
avoid failure?

17. Challenges from our study
» students unclear how personal technologies can legitimately
be used in university setting
» students poorly prepared to study with digital technologies
» curriculum slow to change
» teaching staff often lack confidence with digital tech
» lack of joined-up provision or clear responsibility for
students’ digital experience
» BYOD creating new uncertainties and risks
» tension between seamless access and awareness of digital
boundaries e.g. paid for/open content and services
» digital know-how poorly recognised and rewarded
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18. Challenges identified from stakeholders
1. Invest sufficiently & continuously in digital environment (leading to)
robust fit-for-purpose infrastructure: parity across sites
2.Seamless access to and effective signposting of information
3. Bring every student up to speed with using digital tech for their course of
study – integrated with subject know-how – communicate value
4.Bring every member of staff up to speed with using digital tech for their
role
5. Use digital tech/media to: build links beyond course, produce digital
footprint/identity, be involved in authentic learning
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19. Challenges identified from stakeholders
6. Integrated digital strategy with
– champion and budget
– devolved/shared responsibility/planning
– capacity to respond to emerging open landscape for data, knowledge and learning
7. Ask students – listen – involve them in the response
8. Engage external stakeholders including employers, alumni, community
9.Agile decision making and course (re)design, supported by…
– Big data and analytics
– Qualitative and longitudinal evidence
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20. For more on challenges and approaches
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»try, use and comment on the cards provided
»Download materials from the blog
»continue the discussion
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org

21. Resources for your use…
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http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org

22. Top tips cards
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23. What is next - join the conversation
» 26th March – ELESIG meeting, Bristol
» 26th March – UCISA Conference, Brighton
» 1st April – ALTWebinar
» 2nd April – HEAWales Conference
» 21st May – Final event, London
» 2 April – HEAWales Conference
» 8 July – HEA Conference
» HELF
» UCISA, SCHOMS,AUDE
» SCONUL
» …..
`12/03/2014 23
CCphilcampbellonFlickr

24. Change Agents’ Network
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» Enhance student change agents’ understanding of effective practice and
change issues.
» Identify and share effective practice in the area of students/student
groups as change agents.
» Provide a forum for support and sharing of ideas.
» Create and link to resources to support staff and students promoting the
use of student change agents sector wide.
» Develop a framework to support possible accreditation through SEDA.
» Develop a Journal of Educational Innovation, Partnership and Change.
» http://www.changeagentsnetwork.co.uk and can@jiscmail.ac.uk

25. Supporting staff and student partnerships
12/03/2014 25
» A series of resources to support staff and students in instituting student
partnerships:
› Practice points
› Viewpoints for student partnerships
› Case studies
› List of benefits
› Useful links
› Educational agency initiatives
http://tiny.cc/can001

26. Developing digital literacies infokit
» Practical guidance, tools and approaches from the Jisc
Developing digital literacies programme and beyond
» ‘Top-down’ strategic considerations involved in developing
digital literacies across an institution
» ‘on the ground’ view of what this means in practice for many
different role groups
» Available from 10 March at
www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/infokits/digital-literacies
» Give us feedback at
www.surveymonkey.com/s/digital-literacies
12/03/2014 Jisc Digital Student http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org.uk 26

27. Find out more…
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Digital Student #digitalstudent
Sarah Knight
s.knight@jisc.ac.uk
Paul Bailey
p.bailey@jisc.ac.uk
Helen Beetham
Helen.Beetham@gmail.com
DaveWhite
david.white@conted.ox.ac.uk
http://digitalstudent.jiscinvolve.org
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