The Times Education Supplement recently unveiled the shortlist for the TES FE Awards 2018, held in association with the Education and Training Foundation. Solihull College & University Centre was proud to be shortlisted for ‘Outstanding use of Technology for improving teaching, learning and assessment’.
TES celebrate and reward the dedication and expertise of the people and teams who continue to make a significant contribution to improving the skill levels of young people and adult learners.
The awards celebrate excellent and innovative practice across the further education sector and are now in their seventh year. Record numbers of entries were submitted with winners announced at London’s Grosvenor House hotel on 23rd February.
Solihull College & University Centre has been rolling out a number of learning through technology initiatives. Blended learning, augmented reality, social networking and virtual reality have all been implemented into College learning. Virtual reality is a recent college initiative involving capturing and maintaining audience attention – a spearheaded campaign to extend learner experiences by bringing real world environments in to the classroom. This is supported by the College’s curriculum team developing a VR degree, as well as a LEP funding which has helped create a state-of-the-art VR lab at the College’s Blossomfield Campus.
The introduction of social networking platform ‘MYSOLCOM’ as branded by students, is enabling learners and staff to communicate easily, in a safe and secure arena. This has resulted in extending learning, staff and students sharing resources, work experience updates and enhancing a sense of community beyond the classroom.
The TES nomination acknowledges outstanding use of technology for improving teaching, learning and assessment and puts the college on the map with regards technological learning. Head of Learning & Technology Reza Mosavian stated: “I am so delighted for my Learning technologies team. Making the short list is the result of the hard work and dedication of a group of highly talented people who have made this possible. The team has worked hard to encourage adoption of new and exciting technologies. Teachers have embraced the new approaches and the benefits they bring to the classroom. I am excited to see what the next few years bring to education, as emerging technologies make their presence and impact felt”.
Apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton, who will be attending the awards, says: “Congratulations to those excellent institutions on the shortlist, as well all those doing their bit to provide high-quality education and training right across the country.
“We need a world-class FE provision in order to create more opportunities for young people and provide businesses with the skills they need. The TES FE Awards give us the opportunity to recognise examples of exceptional leadership in the sector, providing inspiration for others looking to follow.”
For more information about attending the awards, please visit www.tesfeawards.co.uk
