Jisc Change Agents' Network Conference 2024

Elizabeth Newall, Senior sector specialist and Sarah Knight, Head of learning and teaching transformation, Jisc

With 680,000 international students studying in UK HE from over 200 different countries and territories, and the use of digital technologies now embedded throughout the student lifecycle from application to graduation, what do we know about international students' digital experience?  

In phase 1 of our research, we learnt that international students experience 'digital shocks' as well as cultural and learning shocks on transitioning to UK HE, which together can impact students' wellbeing and performance for weeks, if not months.  Phase 2 research set about to explore what is really meant by 'digital shock' by consulting directly with international students.  

By sharing the findings from the latest phase of Jisc research exploring the digital experiences of over 2,000 international students, we will invite you to consider your own support of, or experience as, an international student.  Through engagement with the recommendations and a set of thematic briefing papers, you will explore how Jisc’s

research into international students’ digital experience might inform your own institution's policy and practice.  

In this workshop, delegates will:

• Identify and discuss the findings and recommendations from Jisc's phase two report that most resonate with their own experience, and then commit to at least one immediate action to follow-up at their own institution

• Select one of four Jisc briefing papers to review in groups (to be published in the spring), offering feedback to Jisc on how they could be used within institutions:

1. Curriculum considerations for international students' digital experience

2. Methodology for conducting research with international students

3. The differences between domestic and international students' digital experience

4. Focused country profiles on international students’ digital experience, covering China, India, Pakistan and Nigeria

Session plan:

Introduction to workshop and presentation of findings (15 mins)

Group discussion 1 (10 mins to discuss; 5 minutes to feed back)

Group discussion 2 (10 mins to discuss; 5 mins to feedback and final wrap up)

Links:

Phase one report: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/reports/international-students-digital-experience-a-review-of-policy-academic-literature-and-views-from-uk-he 

Phase two report: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/reports/international-students-digital-experience-phase-two-experiences-and-expectations