Digital Skills Week

We are pleased to be holding Digital Skills Week once again, from 18-22 March 2024. Book for events using this booking form.

The week gives everyone at Herts an opportunity to explore, develop and share digital skills, to excel in your course and career and thrive in the digital world.

Digital Skills Week is a University of Hertfordshire community event. Our students and staff make it a fantastic experience through your participation and by sharing your skills and expertise.

Prepare for Digital Skills Week by completing the Jisc Digital Discovery Tool to generate a personalised report to understand more about your capabilities in each of the six areas, and be guided to plan and undertake relevant development activity.

If you have queries about Digital Skills Week contact digital@herts.ac.uk

Digital Skills Week events

Please book your place at an event using this booking form. You will receive a calendar invitation within two working days of submitting the booking form.

Monday 18 March
AI Horizons: Exploring the Landscape of Tomorrow
Time: 11:00 –12:30
Description: Embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of artificial intelligence in "AI Odyssey: From Beginnings to Beyond." This session illuminates the remarkable trajectory of AI, from its earliest conceptual origins to the cutting-edge technologies shaping our world today. Engage with the transformative power of AI through a dynamic blend of historical insights, live demonstrations, and interactive discussions. Delve into the ethical considerations surrounding AI development and explore the profound impact of AI innovations across society.
Location: Hybrid (Online or College Lane campus)
Session facilitator(s): Kara Webb, Senior Educational Technologist
Mind mapping; organising and presenting ideas
Time: 13:00-14:00
Description: We will explore ways in which digital resources enable us to gather ideas, organise and develop structure; and present our thinking using mind mapping principles.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Paul Hutton, Senior Digital Skills Developer
Elements of digital capability: Digital creation, problem solving and innovation
Digital proficiency and productivity - agility and adaptability in an evolving digital world
Time: 14:00 -15:00
Description: This interactive session will explore some of the key areas of the JISC digital capability framework and discuss the relevance of digital agility in a rapidly evolving digital workplace and university. We will discuss what digital proficiency and productivity looks like from a student and staff perspective and how we can work towards developing digital confidence in these areas to be able to respond and adapt to new technologies and practices.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Becki Vickerstaff, Higher Education Senior Consultant, JISC
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and productivity
Digital learning: turning opportunities into digital learning gains
Time: 16:00 -16:45
Description: In this session we will discuss some approaches to maximising the impact of independent and self-guided learning opportunities. Including using digital tools to plan and reflect on learning and manage time and tasks.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Samantha Clarkson, Digital Capabilities Manager and Sunitha Somasundaran, Student Technology Mentor
Elements of digital capability: Digital learning and development
Tuesday 19 March
Visualising Data
Time: 10:00 -11:00
Description: Data visualisations can be used to help us analyse, interpret, and communicate large or complex data sets for a variety of purposes. This session looks at the importance of choosing the right method of visualisation for your purposes, and how to enhance your visualisations to make them clearer to your audiences.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Jake Boyes and Dang Ta, Digital Skills Facilitators
Elements of digital capability: Data literacy, digital creation and digital communication
Unbounding creativity in digital content creation
Time: 11:00 -12:00
Description: Step into the world of digital creativity by exploring the intricacies of digital content creation, from understanding various types of digital content to mastering efficient creation techniques. Learn about good approaches to content delivery and the latest tools that streamline the creative process. Stay on the cutting edge by exploring current trends and innovations, equipping yourself to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital content creation with confidence.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Francisca Lagos Pereira, Anurag Phutane and Ibaad Shaik Mohamed, Student Technology Mentors
Elements of digital capability: Digital creation and digital innovation
Your online careers resources
Time: 12:30 -13:00
Description: Come along and learn all about the digital resources available from the Careers and Employment Service, designed to help you with whatever you need to take the next steps in your career.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Bri Rahl, Careers Development Consultant
Elements of digital capability: Digital learning and development
Information security awareness
Time: 13:00 -14:00
Description: As we work more collaboratively, there is a need to share information quickly. This can lead to bad information security decisions. The session will focus on the risks/good practice when storing, handling and sharing sensitive and GDPR protected information.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Suzath Hussain, Head of IT Operations and Joanna Szpunar, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital identity, digital proficiency and digital collaboration.
Digital creation lab: video
Time: 13:30 -15:00
Description: In this session participants can choose to experiment with up to two digital tools to explore how they can be used to create video or podcast content to clearly explain ideas and share information with colleagues, students or an online audience. In the session you will be signposted to guidance to continue your learning and use of the tools, and ensure that content you create is accessible and inclusive. You will be able to choose to use Canva, Adobe Express and PowerPoint.
Location: deHavilland campus
Session facilitator(s): Samantha Clarkson, Digital Capabilities Manager, Jen Gainsford, Deputy Head of TEL and Digital Capability and Jake Boyes, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital creation and digital communication
Excel in Excel
Time: 15:00 -16:00
Description: Microsoft Excel can be a powerful but sometimes intimidating tool. Used for data calculation and analysis, Excel spreadsheets can be an incredibly useful way of not only working with numbers, but also presenting data in a clear manner. This session will cover areas such as gathering, calculating, analysing and presenting data in bitesize scenarios that will hopefully allow you to excel with Excel!
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Kevin O’Connor, Senior Educational Technologist
Elements of digital capability: Data literacy and digital productivity
Podcasting for beginners
Time: 15:00 -16:00
Description: In this session, we will explore how you can start podcasting by planning what equipment you’ll need, how to prepare your podcast content, and choose software for editing.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Zarish Mumtaz, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital creation, digital communication and digital media literacy.
Wednesday 20 March
Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Digital storytelling with Microsoft Sway
Time: 10:00 -10:40
Description: In this bitesize session we will explain how MS Sway works to share text, images, video, and dynamic content to tell a rich digital story.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Jen Gainsford, Deputy Head of TEL and Digital Capability
Elements of digital capability: Digital creation, digital communication and digital media literacy.
Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Collaboration and productivity with MS Planner
Time: 11:00 -11:40
Description: MS Planner is designed to keep teams focused on their goals and to help them successfully complete their projects. In this session, we will explore useful tips on how to effectively use this tool in small, easy-to-follow steps.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Dang Ta, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital productivity, problem solving and digital collaboration
Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Collecting data and creating quizzes in MS Forms
Time: 12:00 -12:40
Description: An overview of using MS Forms for creating surveys to collect information and analyse data and feedback, and its application to run quizzes for collaboration and evaluation.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Samantha Clarkson, Digital Capabilities Manager
Elements of digital capability: Digital productivity, digital learning and digital information literacy.
Your Digital Employability Toolkit
Time: 13:00 -14:00
Description: Find out which digital skills will help you, whether you're just starting your career, or looking to progress it to the next level - from job search, through to applications and interviews.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Careers Coaches and Michal Kochanowicz and Paulina Milewska, Student Technology Mentors
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and digital learning and development.
Hello World: An introduction to coding
Time: 14:00 -15:00
Description: In this session we will explore what is meant by coding and how code powers our daily lives. We will examine how you can approach problems by thinking like a computer programmer before writing a simple programme in Python using free tools.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Jen Gainsford, Deputy Head of TEL and Digital Capability and Joanna Szpunar, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and digital creation
Employer Panel
Time: 15:00 -15:45
Description: The panel of Human Resources specialists will discuss the digital skills prospective employers are looking for, including an ability to learn, adapt and problem solve as digital inevitably changes and evolves. We are delighted to welcome Matt Johnston, Supervising Associate (Student Talent Attraction and Acquisition) at Ernst & Young, Moni Ogundare, Talent Acquisition Advisor -Technology at Primark and Kate Peat, Group Head of People at Theori Housing Management Services.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Samantha Clarkson, Digital Capabilities Manager
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and digital learning and development.
Thursday 21 March
The evolution of social media: an historical perspective
Time: 9:30 -10:30
Description: Join Chantelle Keane, Herts Digital and Social Media Manager, to explore the history of social media platforms, their growth, and the impact they have had on communication and society. We’ll be discussing key milestones, trends, and shifts in user behaviour.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Chantelle Keane, Digital and Social Media Manager
Elements of digital capability: Digital participation and digital identity
Sharing and managing files in Teams and SharePoint
Time: 10:00 -11:00
Description: This session looks how where we physically store our files has evolved from primarily local device storage to the cloud, and how we can use OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams to store and manage access to our files.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Jake Boyes, Digital Skills Developer
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and productivity and digital collaboration.
Managing projects using digital tools
Time: 11:00 -12:00
Description: In this session we will explore ways in which digital tools can enhance the established process of managing projects, from initial ideation, through planning, organisation, delivery and review of projects, We will refer to existing resources including Microsoft Planner and other resources including Padlet, Miro and Trello.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Paul Hutton, Senior Digital Skills Developer and Jen Gainsford, Deputy Head of TEL and Digital Capability
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and productivity and digital collaboration.
Digital Mastery: Gamifying Learning for Skill Enhancement
Time: 12.00 -13:00
Description: Join us in exploring how to decode the power of gamification in fostering an engaging learning experience. Explore how gamification can boost motivation, efficiency, and digital skill acquisition for everyone. Uncover the neuroscience behind effective learning and gain practical insights into implementing gamification tools, ensuring a dynamic and impactful session for skill enhancement in the digital era.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Michal Kochanowicz, Paulina Milewska and Sunitha Somasundaran, Student Technology Mentors
Elements of digital capability: Digital learning and development and digital creation, problem solving and innovation.
Creating a narrated PowerPoint presentation video
Time: 13:00-14:00
Description: In this session we will explore how to use PowerPoint to record a narrated presentation; how to edit and export the video file; and how to upload the video file into Canvas or Panopto.
Location: Online
Session Facilitators: Richard Matovu, Educational Technologist
Elements of digital capability: Digital creation, problem solving and creation
Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Effective collaboration in Microsoft Teams
Time: 14:00 -14:40
Description: Learn how to collaborate and communicate more effectively in MS Teams as we explore conversations in channels and chats, sharing files, and using Outlook with Teams.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Joanna Szpunar, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and productivity and digital collaboration.
Social media: Professional profiles and participation
Time: 14:00 -15:00
Description: In this session, we will explore creating and building social media profiles to facilitate participation in professional online platforms, and share useful tools to help you build a professional social profile which creates impact and maximises your potential.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Zarish Mumtaz, Digital Skills Facilitator
Elements of digital capability: Digital identity and digital participation
Herts Alumni Panel
Time: 16:00 -16:50
Description: Elijah Beevor (BSc Astrophysics, 2023), Tamara Benford-Brown (BSc Geography, 2021) and Renner Rivero (BA Finance, 2023) will discuss their experience of developing and evidencing digital capability while studying at Herts, and how they have applied this learning and now approach developing skills in their careers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Samantha Clarkson, Digital Capabilities Manager
Elements of digital capability: Digital proficiency and digital learning and development
Friday 22 March
Digital wellbeing
Time: 11:00 -12:00
Description: In this session, we will explore the meaning of digital wellbeing. Using the Jisc digital wellbeing model to consider the positive and negative impact of digital on our mental and physical wellbeing, and explore steps we might take to manage digital stress, workload and distraction.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Samantha Clarkson, Digital Capabilities Manager
Elements of digital capability: Digital wellbeing
Detecting fake news, bias and misinformation
Time: 14:00 -15:00
Description: In this session we will look at how to effectively evaluate online information, data and media, and use tools to detect its credibility.
Location: Online
Session facilitator(s): Donna Beazleigh and Haylee Lederer, Assistant Information Managers
Elements of digital capability: Digital information, data and media literacy

White female student studying on Mac laptop

Digital Skills Week Challenge

Find out how to take part in our Digital Skills Week Challenge with a chance to win a pair of bluetooth headphones...

Digital Skills Week posters and videos

This page features poster and video submissions showcasing and sharing skills and expertise from across the university. We have also included recordings of some of the most popular sessions from previous Digital Skills Weeks, which can now be used for self-guided learning....

Fantastic sessions, so much covered in 45 minutes and really well explained.

Ola, undergraduate student

We enjoyed presenting and participating in the sessions. Predominantly, we gained confidence in sharing our knowledge and experience of digital problem solving. Additionally, we learnt a lot of new skills such as video editing and using Adobe software.

Michael, undergraduate student

As Researchers we are encouraged to be reflective, so using the Jisc Digital Discovery Tool is a good way to start, because it helps you to understand how you can develop your digital skills. I’d strongly encourage you to attend the sessions in Digital Skills Week.

Nadine, postgraduate research student

I enjoyed meeting staff and students at the University of Hertfordshire during Digital Skills Week. In the sessions we looked at building effective LinkedIn Learning profiles, and use LinkedIn Learning and tools within the LinkedIn Economic Graph to identify and pursue skills development for their chosen career path

Kash Ahmed, Senior Customer Success Manager, LinkedIn

The range of topics that they cover is incredible, there is something that will suit everyone. The sessions were really welcoming and informal, so it allowed me to ask questions about things I perhaps did not understand. It has been beneficial for me overall and I have put various things into practice

Nina Walker, Learning and Teaching Specialist and Senior Lecturer Pharmacy programme

Digital Skills Week

Digital Skills Week events

AI Horizons: Exploring the Landscape of Tomorrow

Mind mapping; organising and presenting ideas

Digital proficiency and productivity - agility and adaptability in an evolving digital world

Digital learning: turning opportunities into digital learning gains

Visualising Data

Unbounding creativity in digital content creation

Your online careers resources

Information security awareness

Digital creation lab: video

Excel in Excel

Podcasting for beginners

Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Digital storytelling with Microsoft Sway

Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Collaboration and productivity with MS Planner

Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Collecting data and creating quizzes in MS Forms

Your Digital Employability Toolkit

Hello World: An introduction to coding

Employer Panel

The evolution of social media: an historical perspective

Sharing and managing files in Teams and SharePoint

Managing projects using digital tools

Digital Mastery: Gamifying Learning for Skill Enhancement

Creating a narrated PowerPoint presentation video

Microsoft 365 Bitesize: Effective collaboration in Microsoft Teams

Social media: Professional profiles and participation

Herts Alumni Panel

Digital wellbeing

Detecting fake news, bias and misinformation