59. Bridging digital inequity - International students’ digital experience
Release Date: 01/08/2025
74. Empowering digital confidence in FE
Beyond the Technology
In this episode of Beyond the Technology, host Andrew McFadyen chats with Zoe Tierney from Burton and South Derbyshire College to explore how the Jisc discovery tool and the newly launched essential digital skills question set are transforming digital confidence across further education. Zoe shares her journey from writing a college-wide digital strategy to leading a cultural shift in digital teaching and learning. Discover how targeted CPD, platform champions and inclusive onboarding strategies have helped staff embrace tools like Padlet, Canva, and Canvas, and how these changes are enhancing...
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73. Digital storytelling and assessment
Beyond the Technology
This episode explores how digital storytelling enhances learning in UK higher education. Chris Thomson is joined by Teti Dragas from University of Durham, and Richard Beggs from Ulster University, to discuss digital storytelling as a multimedia tool that fosters reflection, engagement, and personal growth across disciplines. They share examples of integrating storytelling, from student assessments to professional development, emphasising the value of the creative process over polished outcomes. Challenges like time, technical skills, and emotional sensitivity are discussed, along with the role...
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72. How is generative AI supporting creativity?
Beyond the Technology
In this episode, Tom Moule speaks with Dr. Rebecca Feasey (Bath Spa University) and Eu Jin See (Manchester School of Architecture and Adobe Brand Ambassador) about how generative AI - particularly Adobe Firefly - is supporting creativity in higher education. They discuss how tools like Firefly can build creative confidence, encourage collaboration, and support iteration and idea development. From Welcome Week posters to architectural prototypes, the guests share practical examples of how AI is being used to communicate ideas effectively and ethically. The conversation also touches on creative...
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71. Building a coalition of the willing at City St George’s, University of London
Beyond the Technology
In this episode, Sarah Knight chats to Professor Susannah Quinsee, Professor Baba Sheba and Dr Julie Voce from City St George’s, University of London about the latest updates on the university’s digital transformation. The group reflect on the university’s digital transformation journey, which has been driven by strategic leadership and supported by foundational IT projects, AI integration, and a commitment to enhancing the student experience through digital tools and analytics. The discussion covers their participation in Jisc’s digital transformation pilot, in which they focused on...
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70. Transformational co-design at the University of Chester
Beyond the Technology
In this episode, Simon Birkett chats to Jackie Potter, Helen O’Sullivan and Laura Milne from the University of Chester about their digital transformation journey, from beginning to work through Jisc’s digital maturity model, to redesigning their VLE. The guests begin by reflecting on their recent demonstrating digital transformation event held at the university, showcasing their plans for learning development and the use of technology for learners. The conversation then turns to the importance of culture, people and process for successful digital transformation, with Jackie, Helen and...
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69. Digifest 2025 - How are universities enabling a more inclusive digital environment for their international students?
Beyond the Technology
In this podcast recorded live at Digifest 2025, hear from University of Leeds and University of Northampton on how they are using Jisc's research on international students’ digital experience, alongside building digital capability and insights from student survey data. Learn how they've shaped their support systems to better assist international students and foster a more inclusive digital experience for all. . Show notes Read and of Jisc’s international students’ digital experience report Learn more about Jisc’s - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance...
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68. Digifest 2025 - Esports - the digital revolution in education
Beyond the Technology
This podcast, recorded live at Digifest 2025, will support your understanding and implementation of Esports curriculum through British Esports' endorsed programmes and why you should join this digital revolution in education. Guests Tom Dore and Andy Miah explain the growing global phenomenon of the Esports industry, how this coincides with Esports in education and how you can join the hundreds of schools and colleges that are already part of this revolution through qualifications with Leadership Skills Foundation, Pearson and through their participation in the British Esports Student Champs....
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67. Digifest 2025 - How digital leaders meet tomorrow
Beyond the Technology
Recorded live at Digifest 2025, this episode features a discussion of previous participants from the digital leaders programme who have demonstrated and implemented their learning within their organisations as they reflect on the Digifest 2025 themes of data-informed education, student success, learning for the future, technology for good, and collaboration for impact. . Show notes - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.
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66. Digifest 2025 - Generative AI in education – staff voices and real-world lessons
Beyond the Technology
If you missed the generative AI in education panel at Digifest 2025, here’s your chance to hear our interview with panellist Philippa Armstrong, learning technology coach at Nottingham College, recorded live at the event. Philippa discusses the current uses, potential benefits and concerns associated with generative AI in education. What happens when generative AI moves from buzzword to reality? Philippa explores real-world lessons learned, opportunities and concerns as we cut through the hype to discover what it takes to move from promise to practice. Show notes Explore our Read our ...
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65. Going national with the DEI FE survey: building the bigger picture of the FE digital landscape
Beyond the Technology
Andrew McFadyen and Dom Walker meet to discuss how the DEI survey reveals the evolving digital environment in education for students, learners and staff across FE and HE. The surveys take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete and are concise but comprehensive enough to offer insights so organisations can tailor their decision making and planning around digital investment and resource development. Dom talks about this year’s launch on 9 April of a centralised national survey for FE. This is open to individual teaching staff and professional services staff across the UK directly, to do the...
info_outlineExploring 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 Jisc, invites Doctor Rafael Escalon Reynoso, CEO at the Portulans Institute, Doctor Sonia Saleem, founder and CEO of Socio Engineering Technologies, and Ikechukwu Okoye, secretary general for the Nigeria Esports Federation and the director of Afri Start Innovation Hub, to share their insights on bridging digital inequity.
The conversation highlights the growing investments in digital maturity, the challenges of integrating technology into education, and the pivotal role of public-private partnerships and collaboration in fostering equitable access to digital tools and resources for students worldwide.
Show notes
- Views shared by beyond the technology guests do not necessarily represent the views of Jisc
- Subscribe to our Headlines newsletter, for all the latest news, guidance and events tailored to you
- If you want to come on the show, or have any questions, get in touch with us by emailing podcast@jisc.ac.uk
- Find out more about the researching international students' digital experience project. Dive deeper into the Portulans institute reports
- Learn more about the Nigeria E-sports Federation
- Download Briefing paper - Portulans (BP 4) Digital country profiles: international students’ digital experiences in relation to their home country’s civil digital infrastructure (pdf)