Ed Tech attended Digifest 2019 this week. Run by JISC, this HE/FE conference aimed to “explore the power of digital and look in detail at what next-generation digital students need to thrive”.

The impact of machine learning was a recurring theme in the keynote speeches and take-home messages included:

• to avoid bias, we need to ensure that data sets used in machined learning are explicitly inclusive;
• today’s graduates will have multiple careers, mostly in jobs that do not currently exist;
• to be employable in a world where machine learning/artificial intelligence is ubiquitous, humans will need three key skills: creativity, empathy, accountability.

Liz Sproat, Google’s head of education for Europe

Workshop sessions attended by Ed Tech included:

• learning analytics (benefits, implementation practicalities, side-effects and ethical issues);
• digital literacy (of staff, of students, in curriculum design, organisational approaches).

Th University of Essex’s student data dashboard

JISC’s digital literacy framework

Finally, there was an excellent simulation of a day in the life of Natalie, an undergraduate student in 2029 whose learning is via VR.

Nathalie, student 4.0

We look forward to Digifest 2020!