Digital Skills in Prison Education
With the technological world constantly evolving and more and more people relying on digital technology, it is crucial that learners are able to obtain digital skills in prison to avoid being digitally excluded on release.
Over the past couple of years, it has become clear that digital literacy is now fundamental to the successful rehabilitation of learners. Our biggest challenge is making sure learners aren’t left behind during their time in prison. With digital technology constantly evolving, being isolated from these changes puts learners at a digital disadvantage upon release.
At Novus we are dedicated to ensure that all learners are equipped with essential digital skills so that they're not at a digital disadvantage. We recognise the importance of digital literacy and in order for learners to integrate back into society, it is vital that we provide them the opportunity to gain and expand their skills in digital.
What we do
Due to more limited access to digital equipment in prison along with increased challenges because of prison infrastructure and security concerns, implementing digital literacy in prison education isn’t straightforward. However, with the support of prison colleagues, we are working hard to provide learners with the opportunities necessary to thrive digitally and through our innovative approach we are constantly finding new ways to teach digital literacy to learners.
Embedding Essential Digital Skills into our education provision
Learners’ digital literacy and related skills are developed through our digital provision. Over the past few years, we have made fantastic progress in changing what goes on in a prison classroom from a digital perspective.
Colleagues from all curriculum areas have started to embed digital into their teaching and as a result, more and more learners have been able to gain their essential digital skills qualification.
Through a combination of support, training and championing innovation we are now able to provide a digital provision that supports both learners and colleagues.
New Digital Tools for educators
Through the use of new digital tools such as ChatGPT, Teacher Matic, Open Borders and other AI tools, tutors are able to develop digital skills and include in their curriculum no matter the subject.
Support for colleagues
One of the barriers to embedding essential digital skills into courses was the lack of confidence of educators and trainers.
Since then, we have provided our teachers with the necessary training and digital tools needed so that they feel confident in incorporating digital techniques into their classroom delivery and have the skills to deliver the essential digital skills qualification.
Another barrier to including digital skills in our education provision was access to the internet which is needed to deliver the essential digital skills qualification. To support this, HMPPS have brought in Open Borders which has made a real difference, and we now use it to deliver the qualification in many prisons.
Supporting colleagues as well as learners is essential in providing quality education. Now, our colleagues feel confident in digital skills, thus providing learners the opportunity to develop their understanding and skills in digital.
Digital Skills and Rehabilitation - Life after prison
Building foundations in essential digital skills allows learners to participate in society and find long-term employment upon release which is crucial for successful rehabilitation.
With the increase in hybrid working and companies relying more on digital systems and technology, it is essential that the modern worker has some knowledge of digital literacy. Incorporating digital into our education provision enables learners to gain digital skills and knowledge so that they’re equipped with the relevant skills needed to thrive upon release.
Our commitment to Digital Skills Education
We are incredibly proud of the work that we have done so far in supporting digital literacy amongst learners.
Whether we are freeing up staff time by using AI in lesson planning, embedding digital in our functional skills classes or teaching learners to create graphic designs and stay safe and responsible online, we are fostering a culture of digital literacy across our organisation and for learners.
Every Novus colleague and external partner plays a critical role in contributing to our digital provision, enabling more and more learners to gain essential skills in digital enabling them to thrive upon release.
