1. Exploration of the Student The Student Experience of E Learning: beginning to bridge the digital divide. Lynne Jump and Mandy Atkinson University of Greenwich.

2. Overview This workshop aims to, Debate and to explore the student experience of e-learning. The team facilitating the discussion will draw upon their experience of an HEA funded pathfinder project, the main aim of which was to collect learner stories about their experience of using technology in their everyday learning activities at the University of Greenwich, across a range of programmes, levels, locations and student groups.

3. Literature Review The project design responded to the growing body of ‘student voice’ literature in particular, and then utilised and built upon the JISC funded studies that focussed on understanding the learner perspectives on the role of technology in learning: the LEX study which investigated a broad spectrum of technology use by eliciting rich data about learners’ feelings, beliefs and intentions towards e learning (Creanor et al 2006) the LXP studies which explored disciplinary differences in uses of technology by University students through a variety of methologies (Conole et al 2006)

4. The Present Situation Question 1: what is effective learning within a context of digital technology?

5. Survey results Just under 1000 responses Across the whole University and some partner colleges Reasons for using technology mainly information gathering and communication Integral to their lives Email for lecturing staff Think that it is important to their studies University smart (only just) in its use

6. Next stage: Question 2: What are the myths and truths about the identity of todays learners?

7. A collective view? Fill in the gaps...

8. How to move forward? Question 3: What practical changes need to happen in order to see real change?

9. some suggestions adapting strategies within the institution to move students from the level s of information gathering and communication to a far greater level of creativity doing more to understand the communication methods of learners and finding ways to exploit this in teaching and learning. work with and develop academics to help combat the digital divide there needs to be a more sophisticated understanding of how technology can be used to meet the needs of all students including the 'hard to reach' students

10. and More..... teaching and learning strategies need to capitalize on and use the skills of students especially in the choice of software,design and evaluation of teaching and learning materials bring assignment and feedback strategies into the 21st century build new channels of communication with students which can be explored in many different contexts