The document discusses the role of a program lead in enhancing the student experience in online education by focusing on inclusivity, skill development, and flexible delivery models. It emphasizes the importance of student empowerment, addressing diverse digital needs, and fostering collaboration between students and staff. Additionally, it highlights the value of continuous evaluation and utilizing learning analytics to improve engagement and support in a digital learning environment.

1. The role of a Programme Lead in the continuous
enhancement and improvement of the student
experience in an online education setting.
Kirsty Allison

2. Enhancing and Improving The Student Digital
Experience
Adapted from: Take a strategic whole-institution approach to developing the student digital
experience - developed by Helen Beetham and Clare Killen (2015) ©Jisc and Bonner McHardy
Ensure delivery of
relevant curriculum
Ensure delivery of an
inclusive experience
Provide a robust, flexible
environment
Empower students to
develop their environment
Support students and staff
to work successfully

3. Ensure delivery of relevant curriculum
Arrive
With varied
personal digital
skills and
expectations of
entitlement.
Induct
Establish
institutional
entitlement.
Reinforce
Through digital activities and
assessment opportunities.
Ensure opportunities provided are
equipping students with skills and
experience they require to flourish.
Support
Build Confidence
Encourage
independent
learning.
Ensure
Differentiation
Curriculum will be relevant if fulfils expectations
Digital Accessibility
Respond to the changing digital needs and expectations of students
and staff.

4. Ensure delivery of an inclusive experience
Promote inclusion and equality
National Student Survey scores show that variables such as gender, ethnicity and
social background affect satisfaction.
Promote accessible resources and benefits to all.
Identify and remove potential barriers to learning
Flexible delivery models.
Look to increase breadth and variety of modes of access.
Allow for choice to meet individual needs and preferences.
Create new opportunities
Identify opportunities to promote learner independence
and empower learners and staff.

5. Provide a robust, flexible environment
A Whole Institution Approach:
How well are policies and strategies
working in a digital context?
Student’s Environment
Significant quantity of
information is easily available
outside of the institution.
Facilitating access to content
and data can provide variety
in learning, support
innovation and help to build
and maintain partnerships.
Strengthen Affinity
Promote core services available
Foster User Centred Approach
Digital footprints provide opportunity
to improve learning and teaching.
Provide Collaborative Workspaces
Using a variety of flexible technologies in
flexible in pursuit of clear learning
outcomes improves engagement.
Support Informed choices
Recognise the importance of personal
digital practices.

6. Empower students to develop their
environment
Surveys
Vital but can lead to ‘survey fatigue’.
Tendency is to ask questions important to institution
which may differ from those identified by students.
NSS Student
Survey Good
Practice Guide
Continual
evaluation of
communication
plans/schedules Student-staff partnership initiatives
Set up, implement, develop and
embed student-staff partnership
initiatives.
Beyond Surveys
Statistical data and collaborative exploration.
Learning Analytics
Enormous potential
to improve the
student experience.

7. Support students and staff to work
successfully
Online Socialization
Build digital identities and professional profiles.
Develop digital literacies.
Information exchange
Facilitating tasks and access to resources.
Personalistation of approach to information.
Knowledge construction
Active sharing of information and intellectual
resources amongst the participants.
Development
Scope for reflective practice.
Support provided by staff and to staff.
Access and motivation
Quality of information and initial experience is
important. No assumptions should be made.
Adapted from: Gilly Salmon’s Five Stage
Model (2009)
For online
learning to be
successful
Participants
need to be
supported
through a
structured
developmental
process.