
Paul Bartholomew, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, kicked off proceedings at the JISC Connect More 17 event in Jordanstown last Thursday. His keynote address explored some of the ways that the university were helping to prepare students and staff to become digitally ready.
This focus on embedding digital capabilities through educational institutions continued throughout the day. Sarah Knight and Lisa Gray ran two sessions in the morning looking at approaches to developing digital skills. I left each session with a pack of practical resources that will help me start conversations with staff and students about what digital skills they think are important. These sessions also reminded me that I’m not having enough conversations with staff and students about this!
Our newest ALT Northern Ireland member, Helen Dixon from Northern Regional College, led a session on microlearning and contributed to the final panel session. Andy Jaffrey and Aine Macneill from Ulster University explored what digital skills we thought we may need in the future.

A massive thank you to the JISC team who provided such an informative and inspiring event – and for squeezing in a last minute presentation from Clare Thomson and myself to publicise the ALT Northern Ireland group.
There’s a few more JISC Connect More events coming up in England – and if you have the opportunity I’d really recommend going.
