Beyond the Technology

Explore the shift to online exams at the University of Gloucestershire with insights from Rob Blagden. Learn about the advancements in technology within the NHS and the potential for a digital revolution in education. Discover the successful transition to digital exams in academia and the future of online practical exams using simulations and VR technology. Dive into innovative education technology integration with cloud technology and AI tools.

This week we chatted with Aftab Hussain, information learning technology manager at Bolton College, about Firstpass, an automated system that helps automate the marking and feedback of open-ended questions using artificial intelligence Aftab talks through the benefits of Firstpass, sharing how the system can help reduce the burden on teachers when marking formative assessments, whilst providing students with instant feedback to their answers. Lastly, Aftab shares the latest updates and progress of Ada, Bolton college's digital assistant which went live in 2017.

This week Derfel Owen, Registrar and director of student and registry services at University College London, joins us to talk about how the university moved their exams online as part of a university wide digital assessment strategy. Derfel explains how and why the university chose to transition exams to online at such scale, providing more than 20,000 students with 1200 digital exams in Spring 2021. He also shares the lessons learnt from the project, and provides advice about how other institutions could approach bringing assessments online. We also discuss the future of assessment, looking into how things such as artificial intelligence help to improve the assessment marking process.

In this episode we are joined by Clare Killen, senior consultant for the business intelligence team at Jisc, to talk about the findings from the recently released HE and FE staff digital experience insight surveys. The annual survey polls over 6,500 teaching staff in further and higher education, looking into their experiences of using technology to support their teaching. Clare provides an interesting deep dive analysis into the results, as well as suggesting what can be done to support staff digital skills going forward. The episode also investigates how the role of teaching staff has changed since the pandemic.

Our guest this week is Debs Gray, Principal of Grimsby Institute, and Jisc trustee. She joined us to talk all about the college's trailblazing industry 4.0 programme. This episode is packed with advice about how to support staff and students to prepare for the workplace of the future, in terms of digital skills and making the most out of the tools you already have. Debs maintains a strong focus on not just levelling the field, but tilting it, giving every student a fair chance. You'd be hard pushed to find someone more passionate about further education. A big thank you to Debs for coming on the show!

We're joined by Dr Jill McKay, a senior lecturer of veterinary science education at the University of Edinburgh. Jill has completed some fascinating research into lecture capture, how students use recordings, and why. The data is really encouraging, so it's worth a listen to hear some of the benefits, in particular for students from widening participation backgrounds. As you'll be able to tell, this was a wonderfully fun and interesting chat. Jill is a brilliant speaker, and shares some great resources to help you to use recordings to their best potential, in a way that helps both staff and students.

Dr Phil Anthony, learning technologist from the division of natural sciences at the University of Kent, joins us to talk about his international digital teaching best practice community, where sector professionals from all around the world now engage to share advice, experiences and ideas about teaching online and digitally. Phil is a brilliant guest, full of ideas and insights from what he's learned from setting up the community. The group has proved a huge success in so many ways, reassuring staff around the world on mutual experiences (enter the great cameras on or off debate again, Phil shares a really interesting story there). Phil also shares his top tips on making online teaching engaging, and how you can join in with the online community yourself – by visiting the link in our show notes.

Dr Rachel Bolton-King is an associate professor of forensic science, in the department of criminology, policing and forensic science at Staffordshire University. She joins us to talk about remote delivery, and how to help students to engage when working online. Rachel covers how to ensure forensics students are fully engaged when working online and how to offer a truly immersive experience to students who are at home. We also explore what the future holds for subjects like forensics with large practical elements, and how can technology might help to enhance the teaching and learning experience for students and staff. This was an inspiring conversation, and Rachel's enthusiasm and expertise knowledge really shine through. A big thank you to Rachel for coming on the show! If you've listened back to the series over the summer, or particularly enjoy this episode, please do share with your colleagues who might enjoy it too. And don't forget, if you have any questions, or would like to come on the show, you can email podcast@jisc.ac.uk.

Rob Blagden, director of libraries, technology and information at the University of Gloucestershire, joins us to talk all about the environmental impact of universities, and what can be done to address the climate emergency. You'll hear all about what the university is doing in terms of sustainable technology, making physical buildings and systems more eco-friendly, and educating students and staff about the climate emergency.

This week we're joined by the fantastic Miranda Melcher, a teacher, researcher, author, and a fellow of the higher education academy. Miranda is currently completing her PhD on post-conflict military reconstruction at King's College London's Defence Studies Department, and she joins us to talk all about engaging students when teaching online. Miranda's enthusiasm for teaching is palpable. Her ability to engage an audience (and classroom) is evident in this interview, which is packed with tips and resources to do with making the most out of teaching all students virtually. Miranda has taught as a teaching assistant, a PHD tutor, and provides 1:1 tutoring for students with learning differences. We also look into the brand new and somehow age-old question – is it better for students to have their cameras on or off?