Engaging the Xbox generation of Learners in HE

New generation learners seem to be surrounded by technologies everywhere, at home, at school and in their pockets. Computers and interactive white boards are available in the classrooms, but how do these learners engage with technologies to actually learn? And what can we learn from them to inform teaching in HE?

This project is sponsored by the TEQF (Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund) initiative. Working with six secondary schools in four different local authorities, the School of Education and Professional Development, and across other University departments it aimed to inform HE of the continuities and discontinuities in students’ learning with technology. It sought to identify transitional implications for developing teaching and learning strategies to maximise the learning success of new generations of digital learners in their undergraduate and post graduate studies. Data collection in Secondary schools was through lesson observations, focus group interviews with students, student questionnaires, student logs, interviews with teaching staff, and teacher questionnaires. Data collection in the University was through individual and group interviews with students, student questionnaires, and individual and focus group interviews with lecturers and tutors, representatives of the library and computing services, the Director of the PCET consortium, and learning technology advisors. Other participants involved in the project include Managers from FE Colleges and Local Education Authorities, and curriculum and ICT co-ordinators. The project was completed in October 2007 and the findings raised awareness of the issues that will surround the future of learners when they reach HE. The bulk of the dissemination took place in August and September 2007.

Executive Summary
Research Report
Project Management Report
BERA Conference 2007 - Paper : Poster
ALT Conference 2007 - Paper : Poster

Contacts: Jebar Ahmed, Project Leader (j.ahmed@hud.ac.uk) and Mary Sheard, Researcher.