Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

Meghan is an associate editor with EdTech. She enjoys coffee, cats and science fiction TV.

The DfE today publishes a new strategy for EdTech, 'Realising the potential of technology in education: A strategy for education providers and the technology industry'.

The strategy sets out the Government's aim "to support and enable the education sector in England to help develop and embed technology in a way that cuts workload, fosters efficiencies, removes barriers to education and ultimately drives improvements in educational outcomes". 

How can digital technology help you achieve a truly transformative student experience? How do you develop the strategic vision, practices and infrastructure to make that happen?

We have asked a selection of UK learning providers to tell their digital breakthrough stories, adding in points of guidance from their experience to help make your digital journey a smoother one.

Taking up the digital challenge is never easy, but providers with success stories to share can offer insights into how to transform strategy, policy, practice and culture.

Some short, some more detailed, our case studies have been organised into six sections to help you get the most from the digital revolution taking place in the further education and skills sector.

Going into 2020, the push for institutions to support all students on their path to success underpins many of the top IT priorities for higher education leaders, according to new survey findings released this week by Educause.

“The focus of the student experience is very, very important and it’s reflective of a larger trend in higher education,” Susan Grajek, Educause vice president for communities and research, told EdScoop. “We are starting to recognize it’s not just students’ job to be successful, it’s the institutions job to help make them successful.”

Understanding the role of digital technologies in supporting effective teaching and learning.

By Simon Launder, Deputy Chief Innovation Officer and Ian Dunn, Provost (Coventry University, UK)

The meaning of digital in education is changing.

In spite of universities often being at the bleeding edge of technological innovation in research, higher education providers have often lagged behind when it comes to digital innovation and the adoption of technology in teaching and learning.

To date there perhaps hasn’t been the competitive imperative in higher education, as seen in other industries such as finance or media, to develop technology on a continuous loop of innovation and improvement, but there are signs that the sector is waking up to the strategic advantage of adopting a digital mindset.