Universities should talk about going digital, not online, to reassure students who want to get an in-person experience, the man behind one of the UK’s most ambitious education transformation strategies has said.
Jeff Grabill, deputy vice-chancellor, student education at the University of Leeds, has set himself the “exceptionally difficult” task of trying to redesign teaching and assessment for the next 20 years. With the overhaul, those who choose to be on campus will get a “deeply in-person and engaging” experience, but it will also be one that is supported by “digital technologies”, he explained.
The next generation of learners, the cohort currently considering studying at Leeds, has not been put off by the digital-first approach in areas such as exams, Professor Grabill said, and he did not foresee a clash with the Westminster government, which seems intent on pushing the in-person experience.
