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 learner engagement and personalised learning.

Tune in to hear how Zoe and her team are leading the way in digital transformation and what's next for the sector.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ76qP6uD8I

Show notes:

• Learn more about the building digital capability service
• Read Zoe's Burton and South Derbyshire College digital capability tool case study
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

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 of AI. The episode ends with advice on seeking support, embracing the community, and using storytelling to transform education.

Show Notes

Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter with all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

Join the digital storytelling community

Visit the Durham University Digital Storytelling site

Book reference - Gravett, K (2023) Relational Pedagogies; Connections and Mattering in Higher Education, Bloomsbury, London

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 ownership, authentic assessments, and how AI skills are becoming key to future-ready creative work.

Show notes:

• Read the report from Jisc's pilot of AI for image generation
• Visit Jisc's AI page, where you can find further AI-focused guides and resources
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

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 organisational digital culture and the importance of senior management support to embed 'people focus' into ongoing digital change programmes.

The team also discuss the importance of student engagement, digital upskilling for staff and students, and how to take forward inclusive curriculum design.

Show notes:

• Visit the City St George's, University of London website
• Access the City St George's, University of London digital transformation microsite
• Learn more about our digital transformation toolkit
• Discover the 'How to approach digital transformation in higher education' report and case studies
• Read City St George's, University of London case study (pdf)
• View the video case study
• Join our senior leaders working group for digital transformation
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

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 Laura discussing the broad impact digital transformation can have all across the university.

Next, the guests focus on their curriculum redesign project and the redevelopment of their VLE, bringing colleagues together for co-design sessions, daring to dream wild dreams about what was possible, gathering feedback and incorporating it into further rounds.

Finally, the episode concludes with Jackie, Helen and Laura sharing their predictions for what the sector will look like in five years' time.

Show notes:

• Read University of Chester's case study on their involvement in the research pilot of Jisc's digital transformation toolkit
• Learn more about Jisc's digital transformation toolkit
• Discover the 'How to approach digital transformation in higher education' report and case studies
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you

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.

Watch a video version of the podcast.

Show notes

• Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates
• Read phase one and phase two of Jisc's international students' digital experience report
• Learn more about Jisc's building digital capability tool
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

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.

How can Esports transform your digital strategy and innovate your pedagogical approach and curriculum design to support the future workforce, to address skills gaps and engage a tech-agile, digital generation of young people that are in our classrooms?

If you haven't developed an Esports curriculum offer yet, why not?

Watch a video version of the podcast.

Show notes

• Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates
• Learn more about the British Esports Federation
• Visit the Media City Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub website
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

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.

Watch a video version of the podcast.

Show notes

• Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates
• Learn more about the digital leaders programme
• Book on to the digital leaders programme
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

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.

Watch a video version of the podcast

Show notes

• Sign up for Digifest 2026 updates
• Explore our work to support the adoption of generative AI
• Read our primer on generative AI
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.

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 survey even if their colleges aren't making the survey available locally.

This is your chance if you're involved in FE to share your voice and digital experiences.

Listen to the full episode to hear about previous DEI survey themes and emerging trends in AI. You'll also find out how with your help we can build our picture of FE digital experience to feedback and advise the FE sector and wider community.

Show notes

• Learn more about the digital experience insights (DEI) surveys
• View the digital experience insights reports
• Subscribe to Headlines - our newsletter which has all the latest edtech news, guidance and events tailored to you.