Learning in the Digital University
Helen Beetham @helenbeetham
#futurelearninghe
•The many faces of the digital university
•Developing successful digital graduates
•Learners as change agents and pioneers
A bit of UK HE (and personal) history
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
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Develo
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Litera
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Chang
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Digital
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Past Future
A bit of UK HE (and personal) history
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Past Future
From computers to networks totechnology-enhanced environmentsFrom teaching with computers to learning with diverse digital devicesFrom computer-based activities to
the digital curriculum, the digital university
‘We are not rethinking some part or aspect of learning, we are rethinking all of learning in these new digital contexts’ (2007)
Digital technology is systemic in higher education
• Students first experiencesof university are digital
• Students use their digitaldevices, services, networksfor learning whetherinvited to or not
• Digital technologies, mediaand practices of the ‘internet’ age originated in universities
• Universities are dependent on ICT-based systems
• The internet creates a global market in learning and learners
Digital technology is systemic in higher education
What are you hopeful or excited about?What are you fearful or worried about?
cc. http://ninaturns40.blogs.com
#futurelearninghe
There are different ways of being/knowing in a digital age...
• Students fundamentally divided on key issues in technology and learning
• Some embrace virtual experiences, others see them as a poor substitute for f2f
• Digital access introduces new stresses and inequalities
• Digital practices are an aspect of personal and academic identity
• Digital capability is contextual e.g. depends on subject of study and social setting bit.ly/learnerquiz
There are different ways of being a digital university
global lecture hall
local learning hub
internationalfranchise
virtualpick’n’mix
walledgarden
wiredcommunity
Not all universities are digital in the same way
virtualpick’n’mix
walledgarden
Not all universities are digital in the same way
virtualpick’n’mix
walledgarden
Not all universities are digital in the same way
virtualpick’n’mix
walledgarden
Small scaleClosed systemsEnhanced physical campusDigital resources produced/consumed locallySpecialist subjectsStudent experience is key
Large scale or interlinkedOpen systems / standardsStudy anywhereGlobal digital resources consumed locallyWide range of subjectsConvenience/employment/ transferable credit are key
What kind of digital university is yours (trying to be)?
global lecture hall
local learning hub
internationalfranchise
virtualpick’n’mix
walledgarden
wiredcommunity
#futurelearninghe
It might not be one of these!
How do learners navigate this landscape?
‘If the technology is good enough students don’t need to be digitally literate’
• Identify the right learning opportunities?
• Knit up diverse experiences into a coherent learning pathway?
• Bring their own devices, services and skills to bear (PLE)?
• Stay engaged with learning?• Feel safe to learn where public/
private boundaries are blurring?• Manage diverse identities including
online identities?
(On the whole)learners are not doing it for themselves
• Active knowledge building and sharing are minority activities to which most learners are introduced by educators (Selwyn 2009-11)
• Learners experience many difficulties transposing practices from social contexts into formal learning (Cranmer 2007)
• Learners struggle to critically evaluate online resources (BLibrary)• NetGen (<25yo) use ICT more for social/leisure but older and better
qualified people use it more for study (Ramanau et al. 2010)• Learners' engagement with digital media is complex and
differentiated (Bennet et al. 2008, Hargittai 2009)• Learners are confused about how they can legitimately use digital
technologies to support academic work (Digital Student 2014)
Even digitally proficient learners need a solid grounding in academic practice to succeed
Learning literacies in a digital age 2009-2010
Developing digital literacies (2011-13)
Developing digital literacies (2011-13)
‣ What capabilities, aptitudes and attitudes do learners need to thrive in a digital economy and society?
‣What kind of experiences do learners need in formal education to develop these?
‣What does an integrated 'digital literacies' agenda look like at the level of the curriculum, institutional infrastructure, policies, academic cultures, professional services?
12 institutional projects
Developing digital graduates: a model
Identity development
Situated practices
Skills development
Functional accessBeetham and Sharpe 2010
Developing digital graduates: a model
thresholdpractices
Identity development
Situated practices
Skills development
Functional accessBeetham and Sharpe 2010
Developing digital graduates: a model
experienceappropriationspecialisation
attitudesidentity needs
motivationIdentity
development
Situated practices
Skills development
Functional accessBeetham and Sharpe 2010
The practices that underpin successful learning in a digital age...
‣ are meaningful in the context of subjects and courses
‣ are an aspect of students’ emerging identities
‣ require a confident but also a critical attitude to ICT
‣ are creative/productive as well as assimilative
‣ are developed both formally and informally
‣ emerge in meaningful activities in which technologies support the purpose authentically
‣ can be supported effectively through student/staff partnerships
Students as partners and change agents: how?
• student participants and representatives
• student interns and co-researchers
• student mentors and service providers
• student developers• student project leaders and
innovators
Students as partners and change agents: why?
• students’ digital know-how needs to be used as a resource for the institution
• student learning is hybrid and pushing boundaries
• students’ practices with technology are varied, challenging and innovative
• student developments are user-led, agile, responsive (‘student solutions are better’)
Further info and discussion...
@helenbeetham
#futurelearninghe
bit.ly/jiscdigilit
bit.ly/jiscdigistudent
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