TECHNOLOGY USE AND THE NEEDS OF LEARNERS
TECHNOLOGY USE AND THE NEEDS OF LEARNERS

Summary/Abstract: The three UK Jisc digital student studies have explored the technology use and needs of learners in higher and further education and the skills sector. This paper focuses largely on the needs of learners in apprenticeships, adult and community learning and prisons. In these sectors the range of learners is very broad, with ages ranging from 16 to 90, with a multiplicity of reasons for learning and great diversity in the technology knowledge and experience that they bring to the table. The aim has been to investigate learners' expectations and experiences of the digital environment, in order to make recommendations on the services that could be provided to support learners' use of technology. There are three main strands to this research: a review of the relevant existing literature; primary research with learners through questionnaires and facilitated focus groups; and consultation events with learning providers and learners. The recommendations include: (1) Recognise the wide diversity of technology experiences and skills that even an apparently homogeneous group of learners may bring to their studies; (2) Engage learners in a dialogue about their digital experiences and empower them to make changes; (3) Provide a robust, flexible digital environment; (4) Meet learners' expectations with effective wifi, a robust VLE, up to date hardware and software and accessible printers; (5) Deliver a relevant digital curriculum; (6) Provide support and incentives for teachers to integrate digital resources into their teaching; (7) Engage with accreditation bodies to allow the use of technology in formative and summative assessment and other innovative approaches to teaching.

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