1. Findings from the Jisc national study into technology for employability Peter Chatterton 4 December 2015

2. Agenda » Background » Case studies » Challenges » The employable student (in a digital age) » Connected curricula » 5 dimensions of using technology » Institutional preparedness » Recommendations for sector bodies » Study resources http://bit.ly/employabilityproject

3. Why is this important? “Businesses look first and foremost for graduates with the right attitudes and aptitudes to enable them to be effective in the workplace – nearly nine in ten employers (89%) value these above factors such as degree subject (62%)” CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2015 (CBI / Pearson, 2015) “Managers, entrepreneurs, and business executives must have e- competences to grow, export and be connected to the global digital markets. In a digital economy, e-leadership skills are essential.” Michel Catinat, Head of Unit ’Key Enabling Technologies and ICT’” at DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission (European Commission, 2015)

4. The study » Case study research (HE/FE/skills) » Sector engagement › (workshop, webinars, blog, online survey) » Report: › Case studies › Challenges › Framework for use of technologies › Good practices / guidance › Recommendations Study commissioned by Lisa Gray (Jisc) and conducted by Peter Chatterton and Geoff Rebbeck Aim: Exploration of the role of technology in supporting the development of student employability skills

5. Case studies - HE InstitutionSubject University of GreenwichGreenwich Connect: a joined up approach to employability in a digital world University of NorthamptonStudent employability development through social innovation and enterprise Glasgow Caledonian UniversityProblem-solving real business issues using wikis Birmingham City UniversityA range of creative approaches to developing student employability Keele UniversityILM accredited e-portfolio-based employability award University of EdinburghStudent-led e-portfolio-based assessments for evidencing graduate attributes University of BirminghamOnline employability skills pathway of the Personal Skills Award University of GreenwichGreenwich Connect: a joined up approach to employability in a digital world University of LondonEmployability skills MOOC Staffordshire UniversityStaffordshire Graduate Employability project Bath Spa UniversityInternational virtual internship programme Oregon State University collaboration Global student collaborative venture to compete in international student racing

6. Case studies – FE / skills InstitutionSubject The MindsetJoint venture between Reed employment and 13 colleges – in campus branches S&B AutosSupporting motor vehicle apprenticeships through Moodle and virtual reality Job Centre PlusUsing technology to support those out of work Welsh BaccalaureateDigital literacies embedded into the qualification My WorksearchAn online employability service supporting learners on an ongoing journey South Devon CollegeUsing an online employability course South West College, NIUsing technology to support partnership projects between students and industry Portland CollegeProject using video, accessed by QR codes to support learners with disabilities Reading CollegeA college-wide move away from the VLE to learner-centred approaches City of Glasgow CollegeAn e-portfolio for stonemasons to best record their experiences in the workplace

7. University of Edinburgh Co-curricula experiential learning: final year UG arts students Learning outcomes set - include employability Students design learning activities and plan how learning outcomes will be evidenced Tutor signs-off academic viability No formal lectures – supervisory model with induction workshops Students regularly self-reflect/assess and articulate their employability skills as they evolve E-portfolio used for reflecting, dialogue, evidence, show-casing “Agency” project SLICCs Student‐Led Individually Created Courses

8. University of Greenwich Greenwich Connect and the Virtual Law Clinic

9. Challenges » Different visions of “maturity” and variation in approaches » Authentic experiences can develop skills, but depend on the degree of “authenticity” and degree to which students learn/reflect on/articulate them » Many creative uses of technology, but embedding remains elusive to many institutions » Embedding employability/ attributes into curricula may be “ideal”, but there are challenges » A lack of joined-up approaches between academic departments and corporate careers/employability services Institutions are on various points of the continuum towards student employability “maturity”

10. Challenges Technology is under exploited for employability » Variation in practices and understanding of potential of technologies- particularly with e- portfolios and social media. » Institutions could do a lot more to unleash student creativity in using digital networks/media to engage with employers, alumni and other stakeholders » Digital literacies are not well articulated in relation to employability skills » Employers and HE/FE generally have low aspirations in relation to “digital entrepreneurialism” » Growing band of knowledge in terms of what technology infrastructure is required for "connected curricula".

11. Challenges Insufficient engagement and partnership working with employers » Core employability skills, capabilities and attributes are continually evolving » Unclear the degree to which employers (large and small) are involved in defining and developing employability skills » Not much evidence of institutions evaluating impact of employability policies/initiatives with employers » Not always easy to identify “truly” authentic learning experiences with employers for ALL students. » HE in particular needs to develop greater partnership working with employers and alumni eg curriculum design, mentoring, assessments. » HE and FE need to find ways of improved working with a broader range of employers e.g. SMEs. » Need to raise aspirations for “digital entrepreneurialism” with employers.

12. Challenges Variability in resources to support institutions in using technology for employability » Lack of awareness of e-portfolio resources and their value to institutions. » Insufficient emphasis in sector resources on “making the case” for using technology. » Guidance on digital literacies could be better contextualized and articulated in relation to employability skills. » Minimal resources relating to digital entrepreneurialism. » Insufficient guidance on effective use of social media to support employability. » Potential for greater adoption of multimedia communications approaches. » Resources on their own are insufficient – institutions need to be supported in using them effectively.

13. The employable student in a digital age Digital capability underpins all aspects

22. T-profile curricula (for a digital world) Assessment for learning (discipline & employability) Employer engagement (inc digital engagement) Self-directed learning Self-regulated learning Self-directed employability Digitally literate Connected curricula

23. Employability Employability (however it is defined) is embedded into curricula learning outcomes and assessment. Employability development commences at the beginning of the student journey. T-profile curricula for a digital world T Discipline T Employability Discipline

24. Curricula provide students with authentic learning (inc. A&F) Employer (alumni?) mentoring Employers engaged in curriculum design Employer engagement (inc digital engagement)

25. Curricula adopt “assessment for learning” approaches Formative assessment and feedback requires students to reflect on/express their evolving employability/learning Strong emphasis on action on feedback (& follow-up) Collection of evidence (digital artefacts) Assessment for learning (discipline & employability) Module 1Module 2Module 3Module X discipline programme learning outcomes employability outcomes

26. 5 dimensions of using technology for employability Technology- enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences » Active and “real world” learning experiences – supported by technologies – that help to develop employability skills » Simulated experiences

27. 5 dimensions of using technology for employability Technology- enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences » Self-directed personal and professional learning (planning, reflection, managing, recording, review) – supported by technology » (Digital) feedback and engagement with a variety of stakeholders including employers to help develop learner self-regulatory skills » Employer-supported / related assessment for learning Technology- enhanced lifelong learning and employability

28. 5 dimensions of using technology for employability Technology- enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences » Researching, identifying and developing contacts and relationships with employers » Developing “digital” and “employability” identity » Developing “digital collateral” as evidence of student “rounded self” » Showcasing student “rounded self” to employers and personal clients Technology- enhanced lifelong learning and employability Digital communications and engagement with employers

29. 5 dimensions of using technology for employability Technology- enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences » Learner skills diagnostics » Technology-enhanced development for skills gaps » Computer-aided assessment Technology- enhanced lifelong learning and employability Digital communications and engagement with employers Technology- enhanced employability skills development

30. 5 dimensions of using technology for employability Technology- enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences » Developing student technology- enhanced employability skills Technology- enhanced lifelong learning and employability Digital communications and engagement with employers Technology- enhanced employability skills development Employer-focused digital literacy development

31. 5 dimensions of using technology for employability Technology- enhanced authentic and simulated learning experiences Technology- enhanced lifelong learning and employability Digital communications and engagement with employers Technology- enhanced employability skills development Employer-focused digital literacy development

32. Institutional preparedness » Embedding and aligning technology for employability and its development into policies, plans and processes. » Professional development of staff in relation to employability and technology for employability » Technology tools, resources, infrastructure and support for employability and student-centred flexible curricula » Improving communication and collaborations to drive change in technology for employability » Quality assuring and continuous improvement through employability data monitoring, analytics and review

33. Student as: change agent resource creator expert / advisor researcher mentor (students and staff) trainer (staff and peers) evaluator/reviewer Student technology solutions to improve education, research and student life Jisc summer of student innovation Students driving change http://can.jiscinvolve.org https://www.jisc.ac.uk/rd/projects/summer-of-student-innovation Case study: “Mission Employable” (University of Southampton) https://journals.gre.ac.uk/index.php/studentchangeagents/article/view/207

34. Recommendations for sector bodies » Benchmarking tools » to help institutions self-assess ‘technology for employability’, plan enhancements, linked to policies, goals and priorities » Framework making clearer the digital context for employability skills » Online spaces to support collaborative problem solving with students/professional bodies/staff, employers and alumni » Joined-up approaches » (including resources, support and communications)

35. Study resources » Summary report » HE case studies + vignettes » FE/skills case studies + vignettes » Long report › 20 case studies + vignettes (HE/FE/skills) › Challenges › 5 dimensions of using technology › Guidance – programme teams – institutions › Recommendations for sector bodies » Project blog: employabilityproject.jiscinvolve.org employabilityproject.jiscinvolve.org » Webinar on 26 January 2016 http://bit.ly/employabilityproject

36. Discussion Q&A

37. Find out more » Peter Chatterton peter.chatterton@daedalus-e- world.com peter.chatterton@daedalus-e- world.com » Lisa Gray lisa.gray@jisc.ac.uklisa.gray@jisc.ac.uk » Geoff Rebbeck grebbeck@me.comgrebbeck@me.com » Project page: http://bit.ly/employabilityproject http://bit.ly/employabilityproject » Join the conversation on the blog: employabilityproject.jiscinvolve.org/ employabilityproject.jiscinvolve.org/ » and on twitter #jiscemployability » Webinar on 26 January 2016 http://bit.ly/employabilityproject