Digital Simulations for Essential Digital Skills in Prison Learning

Teaching digital skills in prison presents unique challenges. Security restrictions limit access to the live internet, making it difficult for learners to practise everyday tasks such as sending emails, completing online transactions, or joining video calls. These are routine activities in modern life, yet they are not easily replicated in a secure environment.

At Novus, our Digital Learning team has spent time researching how digital simulations can support the delivery of Essential Digital Skills (EDS) and help learners build digital skills and confidence with real-world digital tasks.

The challenge of digital skills in prison education

Digital skills are essential for employment, communication, and accessing services. In custody, many of the platforms and systems used in daily life are restricted due to security requirements. While necessary, this limits opportunities for learners to gain practical, hands-on experience.

Digital skills have traditionally been difficult to teach in prisons, as they can pose a security risk, and there have been few options that deliver the hands-on experience required to navigate the digital world. Without this experience, learners may complete courses with limited confidence in applying their knowledge. Tasks such as navigating online processes or understanding digital interfaces can remain unfamiliar.

As an expert in digital education in prisons, Novus is constantly looking for ways to innovate our provision and ensure that our learners have the best chance of meaningful employment upon release. Through our wider work in digital learning, including in-cell technology and classroom innovation, we remain focused on improving how learners develop practical digital skills within these constraints.

Using simulations to support Essential Digital Skills

Our basis for this project has stemmed from existing research around the benefits of using simulations in environments of education and training where access to the ‘real thing’ may not be possible due to security or the risk involved. Digital simulations provide a practical approach to delivering EDS in secure settings. They recreate familiar digital environments without requiring live connectivity, allowing learners to engage with realistic tasks in a controlled way.

Having already developed our Smartphone Simulator, we wanted to explore further the potential of using digital simulations for Essential Digital Skills (EDS) within the Prison Education Framework (PEF), where public protection is a priority. Learners can practise key activities such as navigating interfaces, following step-by-step processes, and recognising common prompts. This helps build familiarity with everyday digital tools and language.

Simulations also support a structured learning environment where learners can repeat tasks, develop understanding, and build confidence over time.

Practitioner research and development

This work formed part of the Education and Training Foundation Outstanding Teaching, Learning and Assessment (OTLA) 8 practitioner research programme.

The project followed an iterative practitioner research approach. It focused on identifying areas of the EDS curriculum where learners need the most support and developing simulation tools to address these challenges. Broken down into five phases, it aimed to investigate whether simulations are something that both colleagues and learners could benefit from.

The five phases of research included:

• Identifying areas in the EDS qualification that prison learners would find challenging (e.g. making an online transaction)
• Collaborating with the Digital Creation Centre to identify which simulations would be most useful to learners
• Pilot study using the Smartphone Simulator to gather feedback from colleagues and learners
• Creation of a ‘Zoom’ interface resource
• Extension of professional network to continue development and dissemination of findings

The tools were tested in classroom settings, with feedback gathered from learners and staff. This feedback informed ongoing improvements and helped shape the development of simulations that reflect everyday digital activities. This approach ensured that the work remained grounded in classroom practice and responsive to learner needs.

Impact on learners and staff

The research highlighted the value of simulations in supporting learner engagement and confidence. For learners with limited prior experience of digital technology, simulations provided an accessible way to explore tools and processes that would otherwise be unavailable in custody. Those who used the simulation shared that it provided new learning opportunities that otherwise would not have occurred.

Learners were able to build familiarity with digital tasks and develop a clearer understanding of how these apply outside the classroom. The project also supported teaching practice. Tutors reported increased confidence in using interactive resources and, in some cases, developed their own materials to support delivery.

Using the Smartphone Simulator had real value in identifying future simulation tools to create and develop, and we have begun considering the creation of further simulators to aid in teaching and learning, including the potential to develop a dedicated team to work on this.

Supporting digital skills for life after release

Developing digital skills in custody plays an important role in preparing learners for employment and independent living after release. Many everyday activities, including job applications and accessing services, rely on digital access.

Simulation-based learning helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. By building confidence and familiarity, learners are better prepared to engage with digital systems on release. As secure digital infrastructure continues to develop across the prison estate, simulations can support a blended approach to digital skills delivery.

Innovating in prison education

At Novus, we continue to invest in approaches that improve outcomes for learners in custody. Practitioner research and digital innovation help us respond to the challenges of prison education and adapt our delivery to meet changing needs. Having the opportunity to share our projects is exciting, and we hope it helps to create a prison education provision that is fit for the 21st century.

Digital simulations are one example of how innovation can support effective teaching and learning in secure environments. By focusing on practical skills and real-world application, we aim to support learners in developing the digital skills they need for the future.

For a more in-depth report of the findings, take a look at the project webpage.

Reach out to us if you have any questions, or explore careers in prison education if you want to be part of this work.