Project recommendations
The following list outlines suggested activities related to addressing the gaps detailed in the previous section of this report. They do not represent an exhaustive list of potential activities, but suggest a roadmap to improving digital capabilities skills and skills provision at the University, as well as addressing existing issues.
Years 1-2
Service development:
- Create a role with responsibility for co-ordinating, creating, and advocating for digital capabilities support. Note: all subsequent actions are dependent on this role being in place.
- Establish reporting and Governance Structure
- Obtain Digital Capabilities sponsorship from University senior leadership
- Communicate with colleagues to advocate for the importance of digital capabilities at the University
- Explore the possibilities of utilising the apprenticeship levy, particularly around AI and Data
- Establish ownership, project responsibilities for change and work with PSO for governance
- Investigate Groups in LinkedIn Learning to improve recommendations, curate Collections, and monitor engagement
- Offer webinars to introduce LinkedIn Learning to staff and students
- Create a cross-university working group to develop and promote skills development for staff and students
Staff skills development:
- Work with a Directorate to pilot digital capabilities checklist/Manager's toolkit/Jisc Discovery Tool
- Design and deliver regular introductory/refresher workshops on digital capabilities and tools available at the University
Student skills development
- Offer digital capabilities workshops in foundational skills to students
- Work with Online Courses team to create an online digital capabilities programme to support student transition from Year 1 to Year 2
Years 2-3
Service development:
- Create a Student Digital Champions network
- Create a Staff digital capabilities Community of Practice to share good practice and support the working group’s aims
- Offer digital capabilities credentials ie. Digital badges, microcredentials, certification
Staff and student skills development:
- Work with Academic Tutors to share good practice and recommended resources with academic colleagues and students
- Write a Digital Capabilities guide/lesson plan for module convenors to support embedding digital capabilities in the curriculum (CQSD green guide)
Student skills development:
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Create support materials for students transitioning into UG or PG Study
Staff skills development:
- Work with HR People development to embed digital capabilities training and support in learning catalogue, new HR system, and New Starter Induction
Years 4-5
Service development:
- Develop Digital Capabilities Team
Staff and student skills development:
- Create guidance for module convenors to add digital capabilities support to module roadmaps
Staff skills development:
- Work with HR and Professional Services Directorates to identify areas to include explicit mention of Digital Capabilities within job descriptions and role profiles, and identify support and training
- Work with CQSD to offer digital capabilities advocacy and support sessions for module convenors, and new lecturers
Student skills development:
- Work with Academic Schools to develop discipline-specific support
- Work with Careers to incorporate digital skills into RED Award or create a Digital RED Award