{"id":6396,"date":"2026-06-09T15:14:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/?p=6396"},"modified":"2026-06-09T15:14:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:14:46","slug":"digital-inclusion-and-the-student-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/digital-inclusion-and-the-student-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Inclusion and the Student Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This blog\u00a0post\u00a0is written by Dai, a Learning Technologist with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cardiff.ac.uk\/about\/our-profile\/who-we-are\/education\/cardiff-learning-and-teaching-academy\">Learning and Teaching Academy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In March\u00a0I\u00a0attended the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jisc.ac.uk\/digifest\/about-2026\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Digifest 2026<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0conference\u00a0in Birmingham.\u00a0Over\u00a0two days\u00a0I\u00a0engaged\u00a0with\u00a0keynotes, panels, workshops, tech demos, community\u00a0meetups, and conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing tertiary education.\u00a0With\u00a0over\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jisc.ac.uk\/digifest\/programme-2026\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">60 sessions<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, it was impossible to see everything, but the sessions I\u00a0did\u00a0attend had a clear\u00a0theme:\u00a0digital inclusion\u00a0and\u00a0improving\u00a0the student experience\u00a0in a complex\u00a0and disruptive\u00a0landscape.\u00a0Here are some\u00a0of my\u00a0reflections:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Digital Inclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A\u00a0key\u00a0theme was\u00a0the\u00a0challenge of\u00a0digital inclusion\u00a0in tertiary education. In the\u00a0Digital Inclusion Action Plan\u00a0keynote, there was a strong message: if we design\u00a0our\u00a0services or learning experiences without considering the people who\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">struggle<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to access them,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0building exclusion in from the start.\u00a0A few things struck me:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital poverty.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Sessions\u00a0highlighted how lack of devices, connectivity, suitable study space, or mobile data\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0just an inconvenience,\u00a0but\u00a0a barrier to\u00a0participation\u00a0in education.\u00a0Representatives from the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yoursay.manchester.ac.uk\/thedigitalequitycharter\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">University of Manchester<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hull-college.ac.uk\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hull College<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0discussed how they use voucher schemes\u00a0and\u00a0device banks to\u00a0support\u00a0learners, and\u00a0I was\u00a0impressed\u00a0by the work of the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodthingsfoundation.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Good Things Foundation<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital skills<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Access to devices and software alone\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0enough without the skills to make\u00a0best\u00a0use of them. Digital confidence and capabilities are\u00a0important\u00a0too.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fenews.co.uk\/video\/embracing-digital-transformation-in-education-insights-from-hull-college-episode-7-ai-leadership-and-the-future-of-further-education\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hull College set up an AI Academy<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for staff, students, and even local businesses\u00a0to help address skills gaps.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital inclusion = social inclusion.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0This was a big one for me. If people\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0pay for parking, access public services, or use digital ID, because they\u00a0don&#8217;t\u00a0have a device with the correct app, they face barriers to inclusion in society. Digital inclusion extends beyond university campuses.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0key\u00a0message\u00a0for me was:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital inclusion\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0a \u201cnice to have\u201d.\u00a0It must be baked into everything we design.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Future Student Experience:\u00a0Flexible and\u00a0soulful<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through discussions on\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/intranet.cardiff.ac.uk\/staff\/supporting-your-work\/teach-and-support-students\/teach-and-assess-students\/learning-and-teaching-development\/digital-learning-framework\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">blended learning<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, wellbeing, and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jisc.ac.uk\/reports\/global-education-and-technology-insights-into-transnational-student-and-staff-digital-experiences\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">transnational education<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, one thing\u00a0was clear: the student experience is\u00a0diverse.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some takeaways:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Flexibility.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Many learners\u00a0manage\u00a0work, commuting, caring responsibilities, and varying digital contexts.\u00a0Our\u00a0learning\u00a0design\u00a0and\u00a0digital\u00a0services\u00a0need to meet\u00a0learners\u00a0where they are.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Co\u2011creation in inclusive design.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Several sessions reinforced that accessibility isn\u2019t just\u00a0about\u00a0reacting and providing adjustments,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/education-development-toolkit\/key-principles\/principle-3-partnership-and-co-creation\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">designing\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">with<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0students<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, not at them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Skills for the future = human + digital.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.sydney.edu.au\/danny.liu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Danny Liu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s keynote on AI emphasized soul\u00a0in education.\u00a0Not\u00a0only\u00a0focusing on\u00a0content and skills, but\u00a0supporting students as whole human beings, from\u00a0building digital confidence to nurturing creativity, wellbeing, and human connection.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"post-6397 media-6397\" class=\"image align-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/286\/2026\/06\/Picture2.jpg\" alt=\"Pie chart\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">What\u00a0does this\u00a0mean\u00a0for us at Cardiff?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here are a few\u00a0things\u00a0to think about\u00a0in our practice:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Audit our\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">digital assumptions<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Who do we unintentionally\u00a0exclude?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Improve\u00a0AI literacy\u00a0for staff and students,\u00a0grounded in\u00a0our values.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Invest in\u00a0digital\u00a0skills\u00a0as a foundation for wellbeing, confidence, and success.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I left\u00a0Digifest\u00a0feeling\u00a0positive.\u00a0The challenges are big, but there is optimism about tackling them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Want to get involved?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If these themes around digital inclusion\u00a0and\u00a0the student digital experience\u00a0interest you,\u00a0contact the\u00a0LTA\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:LTAcademy@cardiff.ac.uk\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">LTAcademy@cardiff.ac.uk<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0We\u2019d\u00a0love to\u00a0hear your ideas\u00a0and explore ways to support staff and students together.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Reflections from Digifest 2026.","protected":false},"author":6921,"featured_media":6406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[371],"tags":[],"custom_author":[1026],"class_list":["post-6396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital-education","custom_author-david-crowther"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":6396,"cy":6402},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4KqgK-1Fa","meta_box":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/286\/2026\/06\/Picture1-1-e1781014382236.jpg","pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6921"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6396"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6411,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6396\/revisions\/6411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6396"},{"taxonomy":"custom_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/custom_author?post=6396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}