A presentation by Derek Robertson, learning and teaching support team manager, University of Stirling.

1. Digital Experience
Insights and the
student voice
Derek Robertson
Learning and Teaching Support Team
Manager
Information Services

2. University of Stirling - context
• Strategic Plan 2016-2021
• Learning, teaching and the student experience:
• ‘Using technology creatively to enhance
pedagogy, and deepen and broaden the
learning experience for all our students.’
• ‘Creating learning spaces that exploit the
potential of new technologies, and which
support the different ways people learn and
interact.’

3. Digital Experience Insights
• Explore and monitor students’ reactions
as their digital learning environment
evolved.
• Allow the student voice to inform
developments in services and strategy
• Do so in a way that protects students
from ‘over surveying’ (NSS, PTES, etc.)
• Combine with smaller user experience
(UX) initiatives using methodologies such
as graffiti wall, love/break-up letters,
focus groups, etc..

4. Jisc Digital Skills Tracker (2016-17)
• Survey open in November & December 2016
• 554 responses
• Report to Digital Learning Steering Group chaired by Deputy Principal (Education)
• Findings used to inform VLE project

5. Insight informing digital learning transformation
• Worked in conjunction with Students’ Union to consult over specification for new VLE
• Included focus groups, user testing and Insights data
• Student voice informed the business case
• Quantitative data
• ‘As part of your course, how often do you do the following digital activities?’
• ‘In your own learning time, how often do you use digital tools or apps to access learning on the move’
• ‘When digital learning is used in my course I am more independent in my learning’
• Qualitative data
• ‘Please give an example of a course digital activity that you have found really useful’
• ‘To improve your experience of digital teaching and learning ... what one thing should we DO?’

6. Digital Experience Insights (2017-18)
• 1583 responses
• Allowed feedback on the developing environment:
• ‘Improve Lecturers' training for Canvas’
• ‘Ensure consistency across courses on Canvas’
• ‘Some lecturers are still not sure on how to use canvas which makes
some things difficult’
• And provided reassurance:
• 89% rate the quality of our digital provision (software, hardware,
learning environment) as good or above

7. Digital Experience Insights (2017-18)
• Informed future developments in digital learning
• Lecture recording:
• ‘Faster access to recorded lectures on Listen Again’
• ‘ALL lecturers should record their lectures etc..’
• ‘Make listen again more interactive and interesting’
• Classroom technology
• Q16.2 – Teaching rooms are well designed = below benchmarks
• ‘More Interactive lessons’
• ‘Use of quiz based apps in lectures’

8. Developments
• 2018
• Procurement of new lecture capture system
• Evidence from Insights survey and student consultation (with Students’
Union) informed the business case
• Student Union involvement in procurement and selection of new
system
• 2019
• Classroom technology and interaction
• Study spaces group working on improving teaching estate and how it is
used
• Replacement of classroom interaction software

9. Digital Experience Insights (2018-19)
• 1841 responses
• Not yet fully analysed
• Improvement!
• 2018 - 79% rate the quality of digital teaching and learning on their
course as good or above
• 2017 - 72% rate the quality of digital teaching and learning on their
course as good or above

10. Other developments
• Wi-Fi
• ‘Improve Wi-Fi stability’ – project to upgrade Wi-Fi in student residences
• Library study space
• More spaces in library – project to increase study space by 23%
• Computers
• ‘More computers’ – laptop lending service
• Support
• Support from friends and online rather than ‘official’ - creation of a new
knowledge base and self-service portal

11. Conclusions
• Student voice informing business cases
• Evidence for proposals and feedback on initiatives
• Direction from senior academic leadership
• Reinvigorated and close relationship with Students’ Union
• Starting to see benefit from investment in results (NSS, ISB,
etc..)