Introducing the Harnessing Multimodality in Higher Education podcast series

Author

Professor Sam Elkington
Teesside University

A podcast series has been developed as part of the Harnessing multimodality in higher education: Principles for new learning, teaching and assessment Collaborative Enhancement Project. This series models the kinds of integrated multimodal representation of knowledge and learning being advocated for through the project itself.

The podcast series utilises a working Conversational Framework developed by the project team to elicit wider thinking about the harnessing modalities project themes and the idea of multimodality in education more broadly. Each podcast episode offers a vehicle for engaging expert guest speakers to consider and discuss multimodalities in higher education framed by and mapped to the core themes of spatial fluency, simulation-based learning, digital assessment and GenAI.  

You can access and listen to each of the four podcast episodes by following the links below.

Episode 1: Spatial fluency

Spatial fluency describes an individual’s ability to successfully navigate and negotiate the spaces they encounter, whether studying, working, or engaging with life more fully. In this episode Professor Andrew Middleton (Anglia Ruskin University) discusses with Rosie Jones (Teesside University) whether spatial fluency is valid and deserving of greater attention in higher education in an age of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI).

Episode 2: Simulation in higher education

Professor Sam Elkington (Teesside University) is joined by Dr Emma Hyde and Professor Ian Turner from the University of Derby who share their extensive experience and expertise in using simulation in learning and teaching. The episode explores the present and future challenges and opportunities of simulation-based approaches in higher education, critically considers the role of digital innovation in simulation-based learning, and problematises the practice implications of an AI-enabled future.

Episode 3: Assessment and multimodality

Maggie Gibson from Birmingham City University invites Tim Burnett, Edtech consultant and assessment community champion, into conversation on the rapidly evolving subject of digital assessment. Sharing Tim’s expertise in the creative use of technology across the sector and Maggie’s experience introducing a digital exam model, the discussion highlights the advantages of digital assessment, including opportunities for flexibility, innovation and accessibility, as well as some of the challenges and concerns for educators. They also explore the trajectory of assessment practice in the higher education sector and how the conversations around assessment are changing, offering an insightful dive into current practice and future potentials.

Episode 4: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

Emma Kennedy from the University of Greenwich and Martin Compton from Kings College London discuss generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in relation to multimodality and digital education. Matters of cross-institutional consistency, staff support, ethical and legal requirements are raised, as well as:  

• how GenAI affects the development of critical thinking skills and digital literacy for students
• the implications for curriculum design and intellectual property rights
• how assessment must continue to adapt to navigate the evolving landscape of GenAI.

Whether you are an educator, student, or simply curious about the future of higher education, this podcast series provides invaluable insight and perspective on how you might effectively harness multimodality in higher education learning, teaching and assessment.