3 years of feedback about your digital learning and use of technology

Three years of feedback about your digital learning and use of technology. Thank you to everyone who responded. Read a brief overview of the feedback in this article. 

For three years running, we have asked you - our students - about your use of digital technology and skills, for your learning, through the national Jisc Digital Insights survey. Thank you to those of you who have responded to the survey. 

5,853 of you, from across all areas of the University, have responded to this survey, since November 2020. Your feedback is extremely valuable to the University. It helps us to help plan for the future, as well as address any quick wins to improve the digital university. 

This academic year saw the largest response rate we have ever had with 2,308 students completing the survey, from across all disciplines and levels of study. This gives us a three-year view of your feedback and key themes coming out of both the quantitative (numerical) responses and the qualitative (free text comments). 

This year we  learnt  from your feedback that:   

• 90% of students who responded rated the usability of Canvas as good, excellent, or best imaginable. 
• 75% agreed that recorded lectures are essential to their studies. 
• 79% rated the online learning environment as good, excellent or best imaginable. 
• 78% rated the quality of online and digital learning on their course as good, excellent or best imaginable
• 84% agreed that digital skills are important to succeed on their course and in their career, however only 40% agreed that the University provides an assessment of their digital skills and training needs. 
• 33% stated that poor Wi-Fi is a problem for their learning while on campus, and 25% while off campus. 

The three year trends show us improvements across all areas, but with significant improvements in the areas where digital technology supports learning: 

• is convenient 62.4% last year, increased to 82% agreeing this year 
• allows you to contribute in ways you prefer 51.3% last year, increasing to 67% agreeing this year.
• make good progress in your studies 48.5% last year, increasing to 71% this year. 

Your free text comments from this year told us that many of you enjoy the flexibility that online learning brings and particularly the access to resources 24/7. As well as online learning allowing you to work at your own pace, while making progress.  

Actions we have already identified and are working on include: 

• Adding a search feature to Canvas so students (and staff) can find their content more easily. 
• Replacing older student PCs with better performing devices, across the University. 
• Ramping up the advice and guidance about using the Wi-Fi, resources at enrolment hubs, promoting the new eduroam apps. 
• Upgrading the myWLV app – newly designed version already out there in both app stores. 
• More laptops being added to the student loans service. 

Thanks again to those of you who responded to the survey!