Collaboration in community is key. As Jisc’s group of community champions grow, we love learning how they continue to support collective progress.
Since Digifest 2024, we have watched the recent cohort of champions develop more opportunities to work together and connect people with the knowledge and support they need.
What has been happening?
Showcasing a commitment and passion for all things digital to improve education.
October saw Kirsty Ingleson, Kirklees College and Constance Henry, Gower College create an incredible variety of CPD opportunities to learn about digital tools via TechTober 2024. The online events and resources had UK-wide contributions helping inspire and support educators to enhance technology-driven learning. The schedule was packed with informative sessions on everything from AI, and accessibility to using digital tools like Canva, Padlet and Notebook LM.
Kirsty was nominated for multiple 2024 community champion themes, for being at the forefront of AI use at Kirklees College, integrating AI with teaching methodologies to help educators adapt. While Constance was nominated a community advocate for her passion and commitment about digital tools in the Digital Diamonds community. Since Digifest 2024, Constance has also been delivering free digital workshops to support educators across Swansea schools. Helping increase their digital confidence using free/freemium focusing on how technology can enhance learning.
Connecting researchers, educators, learners and social enterprises.
Dr John Bustard, Ulster University was nominated a community pioneer for making technology part of the education ecosystem via the Since Digifest 2024, he has led Ulster’s ELEVATE AI Project (Empowering Learning and Efficacy Via AI Through Education), orchestrating a team of seven academics to deliver workshops on using Generative AI in Higher Education. Through workshops, the project focuses on equipping learners to use AI responsibly in real-world applications.
Puiyin Wong, University of Birmingham, was nominated a community unsung hero and continues to connect a global network of educational researchers via the #TELresearchers and #HEresearchers series of online presentations and discussion events. The impact of this work also resulted in winning this year’s ALT’s community choice award for her dedication to technology-enhanced learning research and practice. Since Digifest 2024. Puiyin started a new role as head of digital education, where she has created a new Midlands Heads of TEL community, bringing together senior colleagues who work in digital education.
Embracing new cutting-edge technologies.
Phil Whitehead, DN Colleges group has been helping pioneer new Immersive classrooms at North Lindsey College and Doncaster, connecting learners and educators across wider institutions. The cross-college event with USP provided students with cutting-edge insights and its future impact on their careers and education. The immersive classrooms have truly enhanced collaborative learning, connecting multiple locations into one seamless teaching environment.
Phil was nominated a community tech guru for his passion and vision, sharing knowledge on digital tools via the TeachBlend YouTube channel., viewed by thousands globally.
Help us celebrate more community champions for 2025.
Community is crucial to helping us adapt to tech and trends, but equally to keeping our approaches human. We have opened our nominations for the next cohort of community champions so let us celebrate more people who make this happen.
If you have someone you would like to nominate, please complete the nomination form which will be open until midnight, 15 December 2024.
Find out more about the nomination process.
If you would like to learn more about our past champions accomplishments, you can listen to our Digifest community hub podcast playlist Stream Jisc | Listen to Community hub podcast playlist online for free on SoundCloud