Students and staff can now track progress, create learning material ‘playlists’ and examine performance through updated dashboards.

The Jisc building digital capability discovery tool has released a significant update that makes it easier for users to understand their development needs and for organisations to target training resources.  

The tool, initially launched in May 2018, can be used by an HR function to benchmark digital skills within an organisation. Individuals can also use the tool to grow their own knowledge and abilities.  

What’s new?

The update uses the ‘individual digital capability framework’, Jisc’s model for developing users’ technological capabilities. The discovery tool is one of the ways the framework is helping organisations across the country to transform digitally.

New features include:  

• Updated question sets: new, more detailed question sets help users and organisations understand their training needs with greater clarity and focus 
• Comparing previous results: users can compare new answers to old ones, making it easier to understand their progress
• Self-reflection: users can create ‘moments’ at points during their learning journey, allowing them to record their thoughts and feelings as they progress, helping to deepen and improve their learning experience. Individual resources also have self-reflection boxes, giving users another way to reflect
• Resource playlists: access to curated content lists based on different elements of the digital capability framework. These playlists are an easy-to-follow roadmap toward a learner’s digital capability goals. Organisations can also create their own content playlists
• Tailored data summaries: organisations can get greater data insight using custom variables, such as subject areas or departments
• Better dashboard experience: dashboards within the discovery tool have been improved and data is updated daily, giving teams almost-instant access to their progress
• User support: extra resources, including an accessibility guide, have been added to the service to help all users access its benefits more easily

Jisc’s Head of Digital Capability, Paulette Makepeace, said:  

“The update to the discovery tool provides many new features which give users and their organisations the opportunity to craft a more effective digital capability development journey.  

“We’ve seen the difference the discovery tool can bring to organisations looking to achieve digital transformation, and these new updates, developed in partnership with our dedicated user base, will help them to achieve even more.” 

Case study: Leeds Trinity University 

Leeds Trinity University (LTU) is using the discovery tool to help staff develop the skills they need to support students.  

Using a custom layout built with staff during a pilot project, the Human Resources team at LTU used the discovery tool first to benchmark their staff’s digital capabilities. They then used the results to target the deployment of training and development resources. 

Every staff member was encouraged to anonymously use the tool to track their progress after their training and then discuss their development objectives and targets with managers.

A discovery tool question set is now completed by every new member of staff.   

Leeds Trinity IT systems trainer, Patrick Turner, said:  

“We wanted to create a structured, trackable portfolio of digital skills training for staff. Implementing the discovery tool was an important first step. 

“We talked to senior leaders to get their buy-in. We need them to make sure time is given for training, and we want their enthusiasm for it to cascade down. We keep the conversation going on Teams channels and give progress updates in staff newsletters. Talking about it shows people we’re serious about supporting their development.”

More information

Find out more about the discovery tool and its features.