49. Award winners miniseries - Activate Learning empowers adult learners
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
Release Date: 05/09/2024
62. Digifest 2025 – Using digital solutions to enhance employability
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
With Digifest 2025 on the horizon, in this episode of Beyond the Technology host Iwan Lehnert meets with Rob Wraith, head of learning technology and digital learning at NCG to discuss his breakout session at the event. Rob begins the conversation by giving a preview of his upcoming Digifest 2025 presentation on empowering employability with digital solutions to drive skills development, touching on the adoption of virtual reality and virtual environments, as well as making use of technology that is already embedded in the classroom. Next, Rob shares NCG’s approach to using digital learning...
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61. Learning analytics: the people behind the data
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
We caught up with our head of analytics, James Hodgkin, at the launch of learning analytics. James talks about the new features available, the importance of people at the heart of data and future plans for the updated platform including student wellbeing. Show notes Learn more about the Read our blog on the Listen to our tech takes podcast, Read the - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you
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60. Further education and skills – Learn, unlearn and relearn
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
In this episode of our further education and skills (FE) podcasts, host Andrew McFadyen talks to Phil Whitehead from DN Colleges Group. Throughout this series, hosts Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of Jisc tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys. Phil starts by sharing his journey from secondary school teacher to Director of Academic Services and Digital Learning, and finding success with his YouTube...
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59. Bridging digital inequity - International students’ digital experience
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
Exploring how we can bridge digital inequity for international and transnational students, with insights from experts across Nigeria, Pakistan, and the UK. We delve into the complexities of digital inequity faced by international and transnational education students, focusing on insights from experts and lived experiences in Nigeria, Pakistan, and the UK. We discuss the impact of infrastructure disparities, cultural shifts in digital learning, and the importance of preparing students for technological transitions before arriving in the UK. Elizabeth Newall, senior sector specialist at...
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58. Further education and skills – Promoting digital curiosity: new technologies, same passion
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
In this episode of our further education and skills (FE) podcasts, hosts Louisa Stamatelopoulos and Andrew McFadyen chat to Beth Snowden from Craven College. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the use of our tools, such as the digital elevation tool, building digital capability service and digital experience insights surveys. Beth begins the discussion by sharing details of her dual operational and strategic role at the college, from investigating licenses to co-writing...
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57. Creative approaches to assessment: optionality
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
In this episode of the Beyond the Technology podcast, Jisc’s Chris Thomson is joined by Dr Miriam Firth from the University of Manchester. They discuss the work Miriam has been doing with the QAA, and colleagues across a number of other HE institutions, to examine practices of optionality in assessment. During the episode, Miri dives into the rationale for the research project, what they discovered and what lessons can be learned for assessment designers. Show notes Find out more about the Review the Listen to the
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56. Breaking down barriers - empowering students with better accessibility in digital and artificial intelligence
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
In this episode, Jisc’s Kellie Mote welcomes Dr Ann Kristin Glenster from the Glenlead Centre and Bouquette Kabatepe from Imperial College London for a discussion on digital accessibility and the accessible digital futures project. The group reflect on how they met and how a shared passion for accessibility sowed the seeds of the accessible digital futures project, a series of events bringing together digital leads from UK HE to explore the potential of accessible digital and AI technologies for all. Bouquette speaks about hosting a workshop and the importance of having representation from...
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55. Demonstrating digital transformation - It's all about shifting the mindset: a strategy for delivering flexible learning at the University of Manchester
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
Host Elizabeth Newall welcomes Professor Dan George, Professor Jane Mooney and Professor Caroline Bowsher from the University of Manchester to discuss the work they have been doing to support digital transformation as part of Manchester’s Flexible Learning Programme. In this episode of our mini-series on demonstrating digital transformation, Elizabeth Newall, senior sector specialist in the higher education and research directorate at Jisc, is joined by representatives of the Flexible Learning Programme (FLP) at the University of Manchester: Professor Dan George, associate vice president for...
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54. Further education and skills – connections, opportunities and being a magpie
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
We’re joined by James Kieft, teaching and learning development manager at Activate Learning, to discuss bringing people together through digital technologies, developing skills and having the courage to try something different. In the fifth of our further education and skills (FE) focused podcasts, hosts Andrew McFadyen and Louisa Stamatelopoulos chat to James Kieft, teaching and learning development manager at Activate Learning. Throughout this series Andrew and Louisa are joined by experts from further education colleges to shine a light on how they support digital development through the...
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53. Beyond the Technology: Demonstrating digital transformation – Macro and micro transformations – making digital happen
Beyond the Technology: The education 4.0 podcast
Simon Birkett talks to Lucy Everest, global chief operating officer, and Fraser Muir, global director of information services, from Heriot-Watt University about their global approach to digital transformation to enable continuous evolution and improvement. In this episode of Beyond the Technology, host Simon Birkett is joined by Lucy Everest, global chief operating officer, and Fraser Muir, global director of information services, from Heriot-Watt University to discuss digital transformation and the importance of embedding a digital mindset. Lucy begins the conversation by detailing what...
info_outlineIn the next episode of our award winners podcast miniseries, Sophia Speakman interviews Miko Pescott and Savi Bains from Activate Learning, alongside Jonathan Hofgartner from Jisc, discussing Activate Learning's award-winning approach to digital technology in further education.
This episode, hosted by Sophia Speakman, celebrates award winners for their innovative use of digital technology and sharing standout practices from tertiary education exploring Activate Learning's approach to supporting adult learners through remote education.
In this episode, Savi and Miko discuss Activate Learning’s unique learning philosophy which moves away from focusing solely on the traditional methods of teaching. Miko shares with us the emotion and motivation in the online and remote learning process that is needed to change the nature of the teacher role in an online setting to one that is coaching focused to sustain learner motivation.
The team addresses student challenges such as device access, personal commitments, the pandemic and financial constraints with practical solutions to ensure inclusivity.
Jonathan Hofgartner, the lead assessor for the Jisc Beacon Awards, emphasises how Activate's strategy aligns with criteria like innovation, impact, and sustainability.
Finally, Savi and Miko share the critical role that feedback has in driving learner success. By providing timely feedback within 48 hours, even on evenings and weekends, Activate Learning keeps adult learners engaged and motivated to complete assignments. This commitment to rapid feedback, combined with a coaching-focused teaching model, distinguishes Activate Learning's approach and contributes to its success.
Show notes
· Find out more about Activate Learning and their award-winning learning philosophy.
· Download our framework for digital transformation.
· Find out more about the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards.
· Read our member story sharing Activate Learning’s journey.
· Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.
· Get in touch with us at [email protected] if you’d like to come on the show or know someone who might suit the series.