What do our students say they really really

What do our students say they really, really want from their digital technology? Group Of People Connection Digital Device Concept Photo © Rawpixelimages. Dreamstime. com Amanda Jefferies and Non Scantlebury School of Computer Science and LCS

Supporting and nurturing student digital engagement • Background to the student digital experience research • Where are we now? – A bewildering array of digital opportunities? – Danger of over-estimating our students’ ‘digital expertise’ – Residents and visitors (White/Le Cornu) instead of digital natives and immigrants (Prensky) – Developing digital capabilities ‘Don’t assume everyone • Enter the Jisc Digital Student Tracker 2017… understands the use of digital tools within learning. We all have different levels of access to digital tools and their understanding. ’ Jisc Student Tracker, 2017

The six-elements of digital capability Available from: http: //ji. sc/building-digicap 10/01/18 #digitalcapability http: //ji. sc/building-digicap

The Jisc Digital Student Tracker survey • Including UK HE and FE institutions plus ACL • Academic staff tracker and student pilot in 2017 If you tell us we can improve! • 2017 -18 Digital Student Tracker with 90 UK institutions • Over 48, 000 students participating since December 2017 • Quantitative and qualitative approach • Findings from the pilot indicated that: • Students are keen to engage online but many need guidance • Academics can be hesitant to engage or innovate through lack of confidence or competence …Future focus on developing digital capabilities to support staff and students

Our student sample in 2018 • Locally we asked approximately 400 students from a range of stages in their HE journey. 216 responses were received. • Students were emailed by the President of the Students Union inviting them to participate. • An embedded link to the Tracker was provided in the message body • The local project team invited participation at a variety of campus based events. • Chromebooks were made available to complete the survey. • A poster campaign with QR code was launched and a prize draw was offered to participants on an opt in basis.

What digital activities do you use in your modules?

Which digital tools do students find useful for learning? Digital Student Tracker Initial Results

When digital technologies are used on my course… I understand things better I enjoy learning more

When digital technologies are used on my course… I am more independent in my learning I feel more connected with my lecturers

Digital skills are important in my career! My course prepares me for the digital workforce?

Consequences and Conclusions • Many students are keen to engage digitally with their learning • They perceive that online they learn better and more independently • They see the benefits of digital skills for their future employment • They feel more connected with their lecturers So: • Supporting staff and student digital capabilities needs greater focus • Staff are encouraged to update their skills to support student learning • Consider the context of ‘pedagogy first’ rather than technology first

Developing a digital capabilities strategy for our students • Identifying how digital support can be included in a diverse student population for developing students’ digital capabilities: – From the start of their studies – Easy to access online 24/7 – Bite-size – ‘Self-service’ – Helpdesk and face to face support

My Take Away?

Acknowledgements… • The Jisc Digital Capabilities group https: //www. jisc. ac. uk/rd/projects/building-digital-capability • The University of Hertfordshire Digital Capabilities team and the Educational Research Group • Our students and the Students Union leadership Contact us: a. l. jefferies@herts. ac. uk n. scantlebury@herts. ac. uk