Tech solutions for the post-Covid campus

From chatbots to the metaverse, here’s how to capitalise on the technology that is transforming higher education

Tech solutions for the post-Covid campus spotlight

The crisis-response online and remote teaching in higher education during the pandemic laid the groundwork for a tech revolution – from hybrid learning to cybersecurity, virtual reality to data management. The transition to online teaching is one of the most visible effects but it’s just one example of technology disrupting traditional activities. With machine learning and the metaverse set to transform how universities share knowledge and conduct research still further, this collection of resources offers practical advice for campuses, no matter how far advanced in their digital transformation.

It may be time to rethink the ‘edtech adoption curve’

A new survey of higher ed faculty reveals more early adopters of edtech than previously thought, says Nicole Barbaro

Nicole Barbaro

WGU Labs

HE in the metaverse

The metaverse opens up huge opportunities for universities that extend well beyond a virtual copy of their campus

The metaverse is much more than a virtual copy of your campus

Most universities are not yet in the metaverse space, nor clear about what is really involved – and we can’t afford to remain in this position, says Andy Miah

Andy Miah

University of Salford

Extended reality and the metaverse must become a research priority for universities

The metaverse will change everything – including academic research

We must push XR research boundaries if we’re to understand and shape our future reality – here’s how, says Neil McDonnell

Neil McDonnell

University of Glasgow

Virtual and augmented reality can provide powerful experiences for university students, and they are probably not as hard to create as you think

Immersive tech in teaching and learning: first steps into the metaverse

Virtual, augmented and mixed reality can provide powerful experiences for students, and it’s probably not as difficult as you think. Neil McDonnell provides simple, practical advice

Neil McDonnell

University of Glasgow

cybersecurity and data privacy

Secure and transparent use of student data

Bronwen Swinnerton and James Pickering outline the steps all universities should take to ensure ethical and transparent collection and use of student data via ed-tech platforms

Bronwen Swinnerton, James Pickering

University of Leeds

Balancing student data collection and privacy protection

Increased scrutiny of universities as keepers of valuable data means institutions need to be well versed in data protection responsibilities. Andy Phippen offers key aspects to consider

Andy Phippen

Bournemouth University

Cybersecurity on campus

Image representing a cyber security attack to illustrate advice on how to mitigate such risks

How to prepare and protect your institution against a future cybersecurity attack

It’s not a matter of if your institution will be hit by a cyberattack but when. Adrian Ellison shares some key actions for universities to better prepare for the inevitable

Adrian Ellison

University of West London

Whispering

Everything you need to know about cyberattacks (but were afraid to ask)

From communication to recovery times, Patrick Bailey provides an insider’s guide to dealing with the havoc wrought by cyberattacks, based on first-hand experience

Patrick Bailey

London South Bank University

Cybersecurity is getting better at universities but they all need to do more

Cybersecurity remains a critical issue that universities must face

Statistics show that universities are getting better at defending against and preparing for cyberattacks, but much more needs to be done, says Heidi Fraser-Krauss

Heidi Fraser-Krauss

Jisc

Remote laboratory

Creating a virtual research centre ecosystem using Microsoft Teams

To the busy academic, it may seem like yet another system to learn. But Amy Conley Wright and Betty Luu explain how a team-working platform can aid communication long after the pandemic

Amy Conley Wright, Betty Luu

University of Sydney

Rethinking remote labs to deliver during Covid and beyond

Our faculty has devised truly innovative methods to replace the in-person lab experience, says Maria Klawe

Maria Klawe

Harvey Mudd College

Lessons from industry

A robot holding tools to illustrate a resource offering advice for universities on using 'bots'

Lessons for universities from using ‘bots’ in the NHS

Advice on how higher education institutions could apply Robotic Process Automation to improve efficiencies, based on lessons from its use in the NHS

Carol Glover

KFM, a subsidiary of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Universities can learn a great deal from the way Amazon embraced digital tech and constantly evolves

What can universities learn from Amazon?

From putting the customer first to the buzzword that is ‘fulfilment’, there’s much to be gleaned from the way Amazon and its ilk embraced digital technology, says Peter Vervest

Peter Vervest

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Chatbots can be vital tools for university careers services, with one-to-one discussions set to become a thing of the past

How AI and chatbots can deliver personalised career planning

The development of careers chatbots could be considered a threat to guidance practitioners, but the reverse is true, says Caroline Tolond

Caroline Tolond

Arden University

Students discuss class material on university campus

A guide to selecting the right ed-tech tools for your university 

Vikas Nand Kumar Batheja presents the key considerations and questions to ask when selecting new technological tools to support your teaching and university support services

Vikas Nand Kumar Batheja

Capital University College

Chasing unicorns: can universities shape the edtech space to their advantage?

Staying abreast of developments outside the big players in the fast-moving world of edtech can benefit institutions while also ensuring a healthy marketplace

John Miles

Inkpath

Tech and teaching

Young woman recording herself using a mobile phone

How to use Microsoft Flipgrid in university teaching

Video-sharing platforms can increase student engagement and confidence. Here, Seb Dianati shares uses and challenges and offers tips for setting up spaces and topics

Seb Dianati

The University of Queensland

Image depicting the use of technology to support teaching strategies

Use technology to hook students’ interest when teaching online

Used strategically, technology can be employed to make teaching more entertaining and engaging. Luqian Huang shares examples of how to use digital tools to support effective pedagogies

Luqian Huang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image showing successful teamwork

What ‘norms’ support successful learning design collaborations?

How to promote consistency of processes and expectations among university course designers and external edtech providers, explained by Rae Mancilla and Nadine Hamman in the third part of a series looking at strategies for successful learning design partnerships

Rae Mancilla , Nadine Hamman

University of Pittsburgh, University of Cape Town