Student experience experts group meeting

• Liam Earney, Managing director for higher education and research, Jisc
• Sarah Knight, Head of learning and teaching transformation, Jisc

• Katharine Reid, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham

Digital is embedded into all aspects of higher education, and numbers of international students coming to the UK to study are higher than ever. It’s therefore important for us to better understand the expectations and experiences of international students in order to support them as they transition into UK HE teaching and learning.

This session talks you through the key findings of our first (review) phase of the International Student Digital Experience (ISDX) project before introducing the second phase, where we’re working directly with students to better understand their perspective.

• Tabetha Newman, Consultant, Timmus
• Elizabeth Newall, Senior consultant for digital transformation of learning, teaching and assessment, Jisc

Choice of one of two workshops:

Developing a maturity model for digital transformation in HE

This session will outline the development of a maturity model for digital transformation in higher education, building on the framework which was released in March and offer opportunities for members to contribute and feed in examples of what digital maturity looks like from their organisation.

• Sarah Knight, Head of learning and teaching transformation, Jisc
• Simon Birkett, Senior consultant for digital transformation of learning, teaching and assessment, Jisc

Beyond blended – new curriculum design considerations and principles for rethinking space, place and modes of interaction

In 2022 Jisc undertook a review of approaches to curriculum and learning design across UK higher education to explore how the experiences of learning and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced university curricula and their design. This workshop will share ongoing research around key questions raised by the review including: how are campus spaces and digital platforms being integrated? How are teachers and students choosing to use their time, and invest their attention? What are the implications for community, belonging, sustainability and equity in the curriculum?

Participants will engage with:

A process model for curriculum design

Approaches for engaging students in different spaces, places and modes of interaction

Approaches for teaching staff and curriculum teams

• Sheila MacNeill, Digital learning consultant, How Sheila Sees IT
• Helen Beetham, Researcher, University of Wolverhampton

As part of the Jisc project, 'Rethinking assessment and feedback for higher education', Simon Walker will present some initial findings of emerging trends in assessment and feedback, including outline results of a recent survey with PSRBs on their perception of using of digital assessment in accredited degrees. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute ideas and experiences that will inform the project.

• Professor Simon Walker, Arena centre for research-based education, UCL education and student experience

We will hear from staff across further and higher education sharing their practice in a PechaKucha format:

First year micro credentials and diagnostics for student success

This talk will outline the QAA Scotland collaborative project exploring the use of formative diagnostics in personalising the student experience and enabling first year student success. In particular, the focus will be on the development and impact of mandatory first year microcredentials at Abertay University. Further details can be found at:

https://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/resilient-learning-communities/flexible-and-accessible-learning/parc

• Luke Millard, Dean of teaching and learning, Abertay University

Developing academic skills support for international students

This talk showcases a range of interventions introduced to support international students with academic skills at Leeds Beckett University. It outlines a new academic introduction module, changes to in-curriculum instruction, university-wide surveying, focus group results and implications for future practice.

• Laurence Morris, Academic skills development manager / CLT associate library and student services, Leeds Beckett University

“Without freedom of choice there is no creativity”: The power of dialogue as creative praxis for (digital) education

Dialogue plays an important role in our lives regardless of the space in which it takes place. In education, dialogue can enhance student learning, engagement and myriad literacies. Ubiquitous online communication platforms can facilitate dialogue between students, teachers, and peers, leading to deeper understanding and critical thinking across borders and boundaries. In this Pecha Kucha talk, we will explore the value of dialogue in digital education and how it can be assessed.

• Dustin Hosseini, Learning Innovation Officer (Learning Innovation Support Unit); Associate Tutor (School of Education); Co-lead UofG Decolonising the Curriculum Community of Practice; part-time Doctorate in Education student, University of Glasgow