Member stories
A bot named Winnie
Like many others across the sector, Windsor Forest Colleges Group hit a crunch point where it became clear that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) was inevitable.
Digital transformation at a global university
Heriot-Watt is a distinctive university: Scottish in its heritage and global in its footprint. So how does digital transformation work across such a geographically scattered institution?
By design and delivery: embedding flexible learning at the University of Manchester
The University of Manchester has committed to delivering blended learning by default for all on-campus students with its innovative flexible learning programme.
People, place and partnership at Ulster University
How one of the most complex universities in the UK is transforming digitally to make technology work harder at bringing people together.
How an AI ‘study buddy’ is providing support for the University of London’s students
The university successfully piloted an intuitive AI study buddy to provide support for distance learning students
University of Hertfordshire's new route to procurement
After discovering their institutional repository couldn’t keep up with evolving needs, the team at the University of Hertfordshire explored a new route to procurement.
Unlocking the future with Remote Labs
The University of Edinburgh has been using Remote Labs to revolutionise the way students access engineering and promote curriculum change.
Navigating generative AI with Copilot at South Staffordshire College
18 months into their journey with generative AI, the benefits of Microsoft Copilot are being felt in the classroom and beyond at South Staffordshire College.
Activate Learning's mission to redefine remote learning
With their innovative learning philosophy flipping the traditional paradigm on its head, Activate Learning developed an award-winning online programme to empower adult learners.
Bridging the connectivity gap in rural clinical settings in Powys
Cardiff University and Powys Teaching Health Board had been searching for a solution to give students a fully supported, rich experience of life off campus. A new device, extending eduroam, proved to be the solution.
From scoping to implementing: insights and guidance from Newcastle’s learning analytics journey
The learning analytics project team from Newcastle University share their experience implementing data explorer and study goal.
A RAAC race against time: connecting a sixth form at speed
Imagine finding out, just days before your sixth form students are due to start their courses in September, that the school building is unsafe for use and there is nowhere for them to learn…
Scrums and squads: how Exeter’s agile culture is paying off for digital transformation
Scrum master, squads, fortnightly sprints, backend developers… These might not be everyday terms in most UK universities but they’re behind the approach powering digital transformation at the University of Exeter – and it’s working.
Using the power of collaboration to demystify open monographs
Elaine Sykes, head of open research at Lancaster University, explains how the last twelve months have seen their library team work tirelessly to bring open monographs to the forefront of planning.
Forensic frontiers: revolutionising crime scene analysis with VR technology
Imagine sitting in a boardroom, putting on a virtual reality (VR) headset, and you’re instantly transported to a 3D view of the crime scene hundreds of miles away. Sounds like science fiction?
Building digital capability in the land down under
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is empowering its students on a self-guided journey to take their digital capabilities to the next level and make them stand out in the job market.
Curiosity and culture: blending digital and physical at the University of Northampton
When the university's new town centre campus opened, it was an unmissable opportunity to integrate digital innovation into the physical design of the campus and the student offer. But the success of such an extensive change programme depends on a third element: culture.
How UCL is redesigning assessment for the AI age
UCL is reimagining assessment and feedback in response to the rise of generative AI and the opportunities and challenges it brings.
Greenwich’s five steps to digital strategy success
The University of Greenwich has successfully developed a culture of digital transformation that runs right through the university. Find out their five steps to success.
Simmersive Staffordshire: bringing together people, place and pedagogy for practising clinical skills
Imagine you’re a student nurse about to put a needle into a patient’s vein: your first ever intravenous cannula. How would you introduce yourself to the patient, allay their nerves, explain what you’re about to do, prepare the equipment and then perform the physical procedure?
Coleg Y Cymoedd: Cyber security assessment
Focused on improving their cyber security posture, the IT team at Coleg Y Cymoedd, together with Jisc, completed a cyber security assessment. By evaluating the effectiveness of their current measures, the process enabled them to identify what steps they could take to strengthen their security further.
A Teesside University and Jisc collaboration is at the heart of a digital learning toolkit
When Teesside University embarked upon a new piece of work to create a framework for digital learning, the team didn’t quite envision the scale of the project.
Blended learning with a twist at the Heart of Worcestershire College
Blended learning is nothing new for the team at the Heart of Worcestershire College. They’ve been teaching in this way for nearly a decade. But three years ago, they set about running a major project that would span the entire institution and fundamentally change how subjects were taught.
Cardiff University’s multi-disciplinary approach to teaching in clinical disciplines with immersive technology
Cardiff University has been on a journey to develop a virtual hospital for Wales. The immersive online platform was developed in partnership with several Welsh universities, NHS Wales health boards, and Virtustech – a VR company founded by Cardiff University alumni.
Why West College Scotland’s digital strategy prioritises staff development and inclusion
When West College Scotland embarked on their digital transformation journey in 2019, Angela Pignatelli, assistant principal, became the college lead, creating and chairing the digital strategy group which was to spearhead inclusive and effective digital practices throughout the organisation.
Bangor University: A data-driven and collaborative digital transformation journey
By taking a data-driven and collaborative approach Bangor University has been listening and engaging effectively with their staff and students to understand the challenges they face and to provide the right support that will enable them to thrive in a digital world.
Digital leadership at PRP Training
After the pandemic caused a sudden shift to online learning, Clare Barley took the opportunity to reflect on how she was using digital in her leadership role.
How a low carbon house conversion is set to become Bridgend College’s newest teaching space
Like many institutions across the education sector, Bridgend College has carbon net zero firmly on the agenda. The team has recently embarked on a project to retrofit a property on the Pencoed campus into a low carbon demonstration house.
Digital by design: how Belfast Met are driving digital transformation
With an ambitious strategic plan for 2021-24, Belfast Met has digital at its forefront. One of five core objectives is ‘digital by design’, but what does it mean and what is the college doing to meet this goal?
The Engineering Professors’ Council: Using data to inform and shape the future of engineering
The Engineering Professors’ Council (EPC) has developed a new data explorer which is helping to shape the future of engineering.
From the farm to the sports hall: ‘Discover Digital’ at Barnsley College puts digital learning in every space
When Barnsley College embarked on a digital transformation project that would span all service areas across all 14 campuses, Rachel James, assistant principal for teaching and learning, had a challenge ahead of her.
Fun, engaging, and interactive: how VR changed open evenings at Gower College Swansea
Gower College Swansea's Open Class platform offers 3D classrooms and virtual reality tours, allowing prospective students to virtually visit before attending an open evening, calming any anxiety about a new and potentially overwhelming setting.
Adaptability, data and digital poverty: digital assessment at Brunel University
Migrating pen-and-paper exams to online assessments is not without its challenges, for Brunel University London the data generated from their digital assessments provided insight that could be used to monitor equality and inform the response to student welfare issues.
“A glimpse into the future”: Basingstoke College of Technology’s pioneering LaunchSpace facility
Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) is bringing the future of digital learning to the present with LaunchSpace, a set of digitally enhanced suites which enable practical, skills-based learning and cater to industry demands.
How the City of Liverpool College is using technology to provide financial support to those students most in need
By introducing a fully integrated digital platform to manage their student finance applications, the City of Liverpool College have been able to work more sustainably and focus their efforts on providing targeted and quality support to those students most in need of their help.
The Turing Way forward
Our community champion programme recognises and celebrates inspiring people from further and higher education and research, who go above and beyond to collaborate and share experiences for the good of all.
Sparking a passion for digital skills: a tried and tested approach to developing staff confidence
The digital experience insights survey 2020/21 revealed that only 6% of higher education teaching staff felt they received recognition for developing their digital skills. But with more being expected from educators, are they getting the support and recognition they need?
Creating library vibes for students studying remotely
Study sessions in the university library are, for many, a fundamental part of the student experience. But what happens if you take the physical library out of the equation?
Askham Bryan’s roadmap to the future of digital learning
Through investment and a ‘teachers helping teachers’ philosophy, Askham Bryan College plan to build a support community to improve the digital skills of their students and achieve their digital vision for 2030.
Meet Marcel, the library chatbot supporting hard-to-reach learners
Work-based, distance and vocational learners often find it challenging to access library staff expertise and resources. Gower College Swansea’s library-specific chatbot aims to level up the playing field, bringing their resources out to the learners.
How Kirklees Council is tackling digital inequality through eduroam
Terence Hudson, head of technology at Kirklees Council, explains how taking up Jisc’s offer of rolling out eduroam with govroam is helping the council tackle digital inclusivity and creating a long-term positive impact for the whole region.
Cardiff Metropolitan University: emerging stronger from cyber-attack
When Sean Cullinan, head of information services at Cardiff Metropolitan University, realised the university’s systems were under attack, it kickstarted a powerful working relationship with Jisc that transformed security.
Digital transformation at Rochford District Council
Rochford District Council in Essex needed to streamline its infrastructure to be in a position to deliver better services to its residents. Thanks to its partnership with Jisc, the council is now working more efficiently and securely, and saving money too.
From USB sticks to terabyte data transfers: how astronomers are making the universe feel smaller
While astronomers tackle the largest research area possible – the entire universe beyond the Earth’s atmosphere – just a few telescopes around the world provide much of the data they study to uncover the secrets of the universe’s celestial objects.
West of England Institute of Technology: Building connections to beat the skills gap
The launch of the West of England Institute for Technology (WEIoT) marked a giant leap forward in the efforts regionally and nationally to close the skills gaps in key STEM areas.
Digital archives power future research
Alex Hall, a science and environmental historian, explains how Wiley and Jisc's new collaboration is saving him time and bringing powerful new insights to the history of science.
Top tips for navigating the online digital leaders programme
Jo Loss, learning technologies manager at Essex Adult Community Learning (ACL), and Paula Kilburn, group learning technologies manager at the Education Training Collective, share their experiences of the digital leaders programme.
Powering discoveries that benefit humankind
Understanding the causes of disease is crucial to identifying potential treatments and, ultimately, finding cures.
University of Liverpool: “Democratising knowledge”
The University of Liverpool has many valuable collections – there are two miles of archives within its humanities and social sciences library alone. In early 2020 the university’s special collections and archives team proposed the Oliver Lodge Collection for digitisation as part of our R&D project to develop sustainable approaches to digitising collections.
King’s College London: “Digitising collections opens up whole new areas for research”
This content was written by Geoff Browell, head of archives and research collections in King's College libraries and collections.
St George’s, University of London: keeping up with digital archives
When it comes to records, preservation helps St George's manage risk in case something goes wrong and so, in effect, helps manage their reputation.
CPD isn’t just good business sense, it’s crucial to staff wellbeing
The pandemic has created the perfect storm for continuing professional development (CPD) to take priority, but with many teaching staff dealing with the added pressure of delivering blended learning for the first time, professional development could easily be overlooked.
What makes a ‘digital leader’?
Investing in your personal and professional development to keep your skills and knowledge current is vital. But being a digital leader isn’t just limited to those in senior positions.
“Learning analytics is about hearts and minds, as well as technology”
If you’re responsible for teaching or mentoring students, how do you know if they’re embracing student life, living well and staying on track with their learning? Is it enough to simply ask them? What if they just say ‘I’m fine’?
Cloud thinking
With learning and collaborating at a distance on everyone’s agenda, a new Institutes of Technology project is using cloud solutions to keep learners collaborating, wherever they are.
A trusted, reliable resource in a transforming world
Imagine a village with a hall, that’s been there for years - it’s the heart of the community. But you won’t find this village hall on the map. It exists online – it’s the JiscMail community.
How big data could vaccinate the world
A team at the University of Bristol is revolutionising the way vaccines are developed, paving the way for faster and more effective vaccines against diseases for which there is currently no means of prevention.
Delivering a digital education
University of Sunderland has an ambition to become a truly digital first university. They’re taking staff and students on a journey to develop their digital skills, putting technology at the heart of what they do.
Fine-tuning resources at Morley College
Since attending a Jisc event on intelligent campus, Jon Cole, head of management information services, has been working with Jisc and Safehouse to explore ways sensors can capture data from around campus to inform decisions and fine-tune efficiencies.
Cloud with clarity
As Goldsmiths finalises plans for a major cloud implementation, head of infrastructure services Jamie Lee explains the importance of a clear vision.
Connectivity and community
We spoke to staff and students at Strode College about the Janet Network, its in-built cyber security protection and the digital resources we provide, such as free e-books.