Novus Digital Strategy to support prison learners

We are delighted to announce that we have launched our first ever Novus Digital Strategy, sharing our vision for how Novus will develop our digital curriculum over the next 12 months.

We are incredibly proud of the work that we have done so far in supporting digital literacy amongst prisoners and we have previously shared the impact of digital literacy on prisoner rehabilitation. 

Our approach to digital over the last few years has been really innovative, with Novus colleagues giving our learners the chance to reduce the skills gap that could build up in even the shortest of sentences.

Whether we are giving learners the opportunity to expand on classroom teaching through in cell technology, freeing up staff time by using AI in lesson planning, or teaching learners to stay safe and responsible online, we are fostering a culture of digital literacy across our organisation and for learners.

We have created this strategy to build on this great work and to share our vision for how we will develop and enhance Novus colleagues’ digital capabilities going forward and how they can support prison learners to build digital skills, use digital technology, and therefore thrive on release.

Digital education is critical for prison learners

Technology moves at an incredible pace, even six months in prison can result in learners being at a digital disadvantage on release. Previously in prison, learners didn’t have access to digital learning, so leaving prison often felt like they were returning to a foreign country, a country where people scan their phone to get on a bus or train, where most services and job applications are accessed online and chat bots answer questions that you have, rather than picking up the phone and speaking to a person.

In order for our learners to integrate back into society, it is vital that they are given the opportunity to gain and expand their skills in digital literacy. More and more jobs are looking for employees who have at least a basic understanding of digital literacy. Our learners need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to reintegrate back into society and this strategy is how we will achieve this.

The digital strategy for Novus is centred around leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes, improve administrative efficiency, and enrich the overall experience for colleagues and learners. The strategy aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Enhance the quality of education, and support innovative teaching methodologies.
• Provide learners with a flexible and engaging learning environment.
• Streamline administrative processes through use of digital tools, enabling our teachers to plan and develop lessons and resources quickly and more efficiently.
• Foster a culture of digital literacy and adaptability.
• Embrace Artificial Intelligence to aid colleague wellbeing and to free up time for teachers to concentrate on learners.

Some of the case studies that feature in our strategy include:

TeacherMatic in action

We have been testing the use of AI across a number of our sites. One of our teaching colleagues, Alison Brown shares how she uses TeacherMatic in a number of different ways to refresh lessons and to also create multiple choice questions, helping to make her lessons engaging and fun whilst helping to embed digital skills. Read more here: TeacherMatic in action 

Online exams at HMP Low Newton

HMP Low Newton have been running online exams at their establishment for over two years, this has allowed them to be more flexible with exam timetables, get results quicker and it has really developed the digital literacy of their learners. Read more here: Online exams at HMP Low Newton.

CPD sessions at HMYOI Wetherby

At HMYOI Wetherby, colleagues have been attending CPD sessions to improve their digital skills to help them to support learners. As access to digital technology in prisons has only increased for tutors in recent years, many have needed specific training sessions and at HMYOI Wetherby, we have really seen the difference that it has made for learners. Read more here: CPD sessions to encourage use of learning on screen at HMP Wetherby.

If you are interested in finding out more about our digital provision in prison education, there are many more digital case studies in the news section of our website, or why not follow our social media channels, where we regularly share case studies and examples of great work.