Happy New Year from Jisc’s Digital Practice team!
This is our monthly roundup of what the team have been doing and discovering over the last few weeks. This edition has been edited by Chris (CT) with contributions from Scott Hibberson (SH).
Digital tools and spaces
It’s been a while since I thought about the joy of using technology! The authors claim “Too often, our encounters with technology today are functional, frictionless, and flat.” I’d go beyond that to say that our encounters with technology can be stressful or actively harmful in some situations. Still, the authors make a good case for thinking about the importance of play and creativity at the heart of human/computer interactions. (CT)
Skills and capabilities
As part of ALT/ Jisc XR Community’s work investigating the ethical use of immersive technology, Kathryn invited Matthew Coxon (Programme Lead (BSc, Psychology) and Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology at York St John University), who is a member of our XR Community steering group, to share his experiences.
Wellbeing and online safety
The Data Protection Commission Ireland have recently released an insightful depiction of the affects of “Sharenting” (links to X/Twitter)- The oversharing of parents on social media about their children and their habits or interests. This very much aligns with the personal safety, cyber security and safe sharing messages outlined in the Ella – Without Consent video, produced by T-Mobile 2 years ago. (Be aware, this is a distressing video) (SH)
This is Ofcom’s first assessment since key parts of the Online Safety Act came into force in 2025. Around 100,000 sites and apps—including social media, search, gaming, and pornography—are now under strict duties to protect UK users from illegal content and children from online harms. The report reflects early progress and sets priorities for 2026. (SH)
After weeks of outcry over the use of X’s AI tool to create non-consensual sexualised images, X has turned off the image creation function for non-paying customers. Where users pay for the service, this allows X to identify people abusing the system (and people!). It remains to be seen how effective this step will be for online safety and whether it leads to more robust regulation politically. (CT)
Sustainability
An interesting look at how hard it is to understand the environmental impact of technology, but for me it really highlights the problem of data communication, especially when trying to engage non-experts. As Hank says “the discourse is terrible at expertise!” (CT)
Expanding our horizons
Jim Dickinson reflects on the end of scarcity, the rise of AI, and the challenge to a system of higher education built on pretence, performance and proxies. It’s a personal, provocative and reflective piece (with added Pet Shop Boys refs) that considers the nature of learning and education where information is abundant. He says in closing “They are capacities that can’t be downloaded, nor automated, nor faked. They can be developed only slowly, in relationship, through practice, with friction.”
