New book to be published about Digital Learning in Higher Education

Two academics in the School of Education at the University of Wolverhampton are set to publish their brand-new book following their research on transitioning to digital learning throughout the pandemic.

Following the widespread disruption across education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Matt Smith, interim Head of Primary Education and John Traxler, Professor of Digital Learning in the School of Education at the University of Wolverhampton have launched a new book ‘Digital Learning in Higher Education: Covid-19 and Beyond’ which examines how Higher Education institutions have tried to utilise digital learning and teaching to maintain the educational experience for students.

The book, set to be published by Elgar Publishing, navigates the possibilities that lie ahead in what the authors call ‘education’s liminal space’ - exploring the beginnings of a new future for higher education.

Reflecting on experiences from higher education practitioners from a wide range of fields on this rapid and unexpected transition to digital and remote learning. The book highlights key perspectives on the new online learning mode, as experienced by students, teaching staff, and those in the wider field of education, including learning technologists, librarians, and publishers.

Dr Matt Smith, interim Head of Primary Education at the University of Wolverhampton said: “It’s been fascinating to learn of the problems Covid brought to so many sectors and fields within Higher Education, and exciting and invigorating to explore the solutions offered by educators, support staff and other key personnel within higher education.

“We hope that the book supports practitioners and policy-makers with their decision-making processes around digital technology, infrastructure and support for educators, and supports teachers with practical solutions to provide the best learning experiences for students.”

The book charts some of the difficulties of the forced transition and highlights the possibilities facilitated by online learning, concluding with a proposal for how we might ‘build back better’ and continue to evolve the sector. Offering an insight into what the ‘new normal’ may be, the book also seeks to help guide the institutions and educators’ policy and financial decision-making processes regarding digital technology.

John Traxler, Professor of Digital Learning in the School of Education at the University of Wolverhampton said: “Our book is a tremendous tribute to colleagues working in digital learning across the higher education sector in an enormous variety of roles and institutions.“The book really demonstrates the effort and ingenuity of these colleagues through the global pandemic but also suggests how this work may inform improvements as we emerge from the pandemic.”

The book will be published in June 2022 and will be available here.

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