Programme
Monday
10:00
Reframing the student experience
Welcome to day one of Digifest 2021
10:30
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
11:00
Panel discussion: Shaping tomorrow together - the future of education and learning
Speakers include:
- Alex Butler, chief digital and information officer, University of Bath
- Cameron Mirza, former MENA project director, Nottingham Trent University
- Debbie Holley, professor of learning inovation, Bournemouth University
- Dr Sarah Jones, deputy dean: computing, engineering and media, De Montfort University
11:40
Networking break and virtual exhibition
12:00
Leveraging the strengths of a national group to have real impact on local learners and communities
Speaker: Chris Payne, deputy chief executive, NCG
Understand how COVID-19 has brought together local communities across the UK’s only national college group to be able to offer so much more than education.
This session looks at the importance of collaboration to amplify innovation, problem-solving and support. It'll also cover how to use the strengths of a college group to accomplish real change for young people, communities and economies across the country.
12:00
The 'digital pivot' - the role of libraries in moving teaching and learning online
Speaker: Susan Ashworth, executive director, information services and university librarian, University of Glasgow.
This presentation will use examples from the University of Glasgow to demonstrate how university libraries are working together with students, researchers and other stakeholders to create innovative new services, environments and partnerships.
It will look at how the University of Glasgow's experiences of the past few months have accelerated these activities and how change will be embedded into the future development of libraries.
12:00
The role of continuous assessment in a post pandemic world
Speakers: TBC
12:00
University of Derby: An institution-wide framework
Speakers include:
- Fiona Shelton, centre for excellence in learning and teaching, University of Derby
- John Hill, head of library and digital learning, University of Derby
12:30
Developing sustainable approaches to blended learning that embed effectively into the curriculum
Speaker: Amy Hollier, head of blended learning at Blended Learning Consortium, Heart of Worcestershire College
12:30
Accessible online, accessible to all - redesigning library support services
Speakers: TBC
12:30
Session TBC
Speakers: TBC
12:30
How to...increase high quality learning and teaching at scale
Speakers: TBC
13:00
Understanding how lifelong learning is no longer a slogan or an option, but a reality - a necessity
Speaker: Lis Smith, principal and chief executive, Preston College
13:00
Session TBC
Speakers: TBC
13:00
Session TBC
Speakers: TBC
13:00
Session TBC
Speakers: TBC
13:30
Lunch break and virtual exhibition
14:30
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
15:00
Closing keynote
Speakers: TBC
15:30
Day one closes
Tuesday
10:00
Tomorrow's technology in today's education
Welcome to day two
10:30
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
11:00
Panel discussion: Using student data to improve teaching and learning
Speakers include:
- David Hayes, chief data officer, The Open University
- Irene Kalkanis, data and innovation lead - Digital Learning Hub, Imperial College London
- Dr Arfan Ismail, head of digital learning, Blackpool and The Fyde College
An overview of projects including:
- Analysing data from different exam points to predict outcomes and make early interventions in terms of helping students achieve their goals
- How can big data and analytics be used most effectively in student outcome prediction?
- Minimising drop-out rates through data, while improving student outcomes
- How can AI and machine learning in combination with data help with retention?
- How to improve student outcomes for students at risk, lifelong learning and gifted and talented?
11:40
Networking break and virtual exhibition
12:00
How to...take advantage and make the most of opportunities with AI
Speakers: TBC
12:00
Artificial intelligence in the library
Speakers: TBC
12:00
How universities fix online lectures after the pandemic scramble
Speaker: Dr David Kellermann, senior lecturer, University of New South Wales (UNSW)
12:00
How to...heighten the appeal of online learning for students
Speakers: TBC
12:15
Accessible technology 4.0, Inclusion 2.0 - so, what next?
Speaker: Dr. Simon Hayhoe, reader in education, director of public engagement, department of education, Bath University
12:15
Lakes College: welcome to campus virtually
Speaker: Rachel Bass, VR developer, Lakes College
This session looks at how a small independent college used VR to help promote the college and help welcome students to campus virtually. Hear about innovative curriculum practices conducted at Lakes College, and how they increased staff digital engagement through digital surgeries.
12:30
Digital strategy and innovation in libraries
Speakers:
- David Parkes, director of library and learning services, De Montfort University
- Rosie Jones, head of library and student engagement, Teeside University
- John Hill, head of library and digital learning at University of Derby
12:30
Delivering the library to our students in the age of digital assistants
Speaker:Danielle Johnson, manager digital experience, library, Deakin University.
12:45
Looking beyond the VLE - affordances of the technologies and how can we push boundaries
Speakers: TBC
12:45
Learning analytics and the personalised learner experience
Speakers: TBC
13:00
How technology should reflect the ethos of the library
Speaker: Catherine Nicole Coleman, digital research architect, Stanford Libraries, Stanford University.
13:10
How to....cultivate an analytics culture within the library
Speakers: TBC
13:30
Lunch break and virtual exhibition
14:30
Panel discussion: How do we prepare for a future with immersive technology within education?
Speakers include:
- Dr David Swapp, senior research fellow and immersive VR lab manager, University College London
- Dan Pearson, principal and chief executive officer, USP College
15:10
Closing keynote
Speaker: TBC
15:30
Day two closes
Wednesday
10:00
Digital leadership
Welcome to day three10:30
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
11:00
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
11:40
Networking break and virtual exhibition
12:00
Silver linings: opportunities from crisis
Speaker: Chris Cobb, former pro vice-chancellor, University of London
12:00
Closing the digital skills gap and the role of libraries
Speaker: Ann Thornton, university and librarian and vice provost, Columbia University.
12:00
Edify and the opportunities for immersive learning within education
Speakers: Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice-chancellor, University of Glasgow
This session is only for delegates in the digital leaders circle.
12:30
Bricks to click - transitioning the teacher experience
Speakers: TBC
12:30
Supporting higher education’s digital transformation through blended, hybrid and online learning
Speaker: Professor Neil Morris, dean of digital education, University of Leeds
This session looks at:
- Delivering digital education strategy institutionally
- Supporting pedagogically-led technology adoption
- Reflections on leaders’, managers and teaching staff perceptions of digital transformation and growth of online education
13:00
How to…strengthen the digital skills and confidence of students and staff?
Speakers: TBC
13:00
Connected learning, connected learners: core principles for engaging online learning
Speakers:
- Professor Norbert Pachler, pro-vice-provost digital education
- Professor Sam Smidt, academic director, UCL Arena Centre for research-based education
- Dr Fiona Strawbridge, head of digital education
The presentation will outline and exemplify UCL’s ‘Connected learning’ approach. This draws on and extends UCL’s established curriculum framework to ensure a rich and engaging student experience on the basis of ‘digital first’ at a number of levels: pedagogy, staff development, infrastructure, and regulatory; an approach that goes way beyond an emergency remote response to COVID-19.
Connected learning incorporates a number of design principles linked to the institutional education strategy including: connecting with people; connecting with knowledge and research; and connecting with the wider world.
The presentation will explore and analyse the support ecosystem developed to enable a rapid pivot from face-to-face- to online at scale across some 7000+ members of staff, 5500 modules and 43k+ students, and how to systematically evolve that ecosystem to become a sustainable approach to blended learning and teaching in the longer term.
13:30
Lunch break and virtual exhibition
14:30
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
15:10
Closing keynote
Speaker: TBC
15:30
Day three closes
Thursday
10:00
Culture and resilience
Welcome to day four
10:30
Main stage session
More details coming soon.
11:00
Panel discussion: how can culture reimagine education?
Speakers include:
- Karen Spencer, principal, Harlow College
- Graham Razey, CEO, EKC Group
11:40
Networking break and virtual exhibition
12:00
How do we build resilience in further education and skills?
Speakers: TBC
12:00
(Re)balancing library collections to meet the needs of all our users
Speakers: TBC
12:00
Driving the future of work through work-based learning in a world of constant change
Speaker: Nazrene Mannie, executive director, GAN Global - The Global Apprenticeship Network
12:30
The role of libraries in student wellbeing
Speakers: TBC
12:40
Supporting staff and student mental health and wellbeing
Speakers: TBC
13:10
How to…use digital to help graduates to skill up and how to leverage technology to support young people
Speakers: TBC
13:10
How to…provide culture from home
Speakers: TBC
13:30
Lunch break and virtual exhibition
14:30
Panel discussion: learning for the changing world of work
Speakers:
- Jackie Grubb, principal and chief executive, City College Plymouth
- Anthony Bravo, principal, Basingstoke College of Technology
15:00
Closing keynote
15:30
Digifest 2021 closes