Teaching staff digital experience insights survey 2021/22: UK higher education findings

3,533 teaching staff from 30 UK higher education organisatons participated in our annual digital experience insights survey (28 universities and two colleges). The survey took place between November 2021 and July 2022. 

Invest in digital skills to stay ahead of the curve 

Acknowledging a sector in transition, Alison Johns, chief executive of Advance HE, makes a strong case for investment in digital skills and teacher professional development and also relates the findings to our earlier publication of the student survey findings in September 2022 and the Office for Students blended learning review. 

“At this moment, when expectations are rightly high and digital transformation is touching every part of modern life, it is both critical and timely that HEI’s support their educators, review their teaching and learning strategies and consider the extent to which the level of digital competence needed is reflected in staff and student development and support.” 
Alison Johns, chief executive of Advance HE

Key findings 

• The majority of teaching staff had access to laptops (88%) and desktop computers (64%) but not all staff had access to additional equipment like additional screens (49%), microphones or headsets (43%), cameras or webcams (38%) that support the provision of excellent and world-class teaching practice and resource creation. 16% of teaching staff cited not having a suitable computer/device as a barrier to teaching online 
• More than half of survey respondents said that they had experienced technical or access difficulties when teaching online. 42% cited poor wifi connectivity as a  problem and only 55% of teaching staff said they were supported to access online platforms and services off site 
• Teaching staff had access to a range of systems, platforms and applications to support their teaching practices. 91% had access to a virtual learning environment and 87% had access to live video classes. But far fewer said they had access to online assessment and testing platforms (54%), dashboards for tracking student progress (35%), or collaborative applications (40%) 
• Only 48% of teaching staff rated the overall support for effective online teaching as above average (best imaginable, excellent or good) 
• While 44% of staff agreed they were provided with guidance about the digital skills needed in their teaching role, just 14% said they were provided witan assessment of their digital skills and training needs 

The full report gives a detailed analysis of our findings and guidance on how universities can address the issues raised.