There's always a lot going on within teams and this page aims to briefly highlight the types of innovative digital learning already happening across College. This is far from an exhaustive list but we hope that just reading this might inspire you to want to try something similar yourself so please do get in touch if that's the case. Equally, if you would like us to showcase some work that you're doing in the team then do let us know and we'll add your information.
Business, Computing & Education
Public Services - The team are looking at how they could use Quizlet to make their students learning more interactive. Quizlet allows students quick feedback but also enables tutors to track how students are getting on.
Business - The team are looking at a range of more interactive ways to engage their Level 1 students in particular. Sites currently being looked at include Piktochart, Socrative, Glogster, Smore & many more. The team are also looking at social media, including Twitter to support students to create appropriate 'digital profiles'.
Media, Games & Animation - The team are using Aurasma, an augmented reality app to create interactive resources for students. A popular YouTube account has been created by a tutor in the team too with lots of video tutorials and this account has over 2000 subscribers from all over the world. QR code handouts are also being used to direct students to some of these really engaging and interactive resources.
Teacher Education - The team are using sites such as Weebly and Wordpress to encourage students to start blogging. Twitter is also used to help students create their own Personal Learning Networks (PLN's) to access regular, valuable Continuous Professional Development.
Construction
Plastering - The team have an exemplary Moodle site with links to Facebook, job opportunities and a comprehensive tracking system too that enables students to be more independent in their learning. Padlet walls and Socrative quizzes add to the really interactive feel of this Moodle site.
Plumbing - The team are using Socrative in lessons to help make learning more interactive and engaging. A new Facebook group has been set up with the aim of showcasing student work but also providing future employment information. Carpentry & Joinery - The team are working on creating interactive augmented reality resources using an app called Aurasma. Below is a 5 minute video that will give you a better idea of what augmented reality is and also shows how this app can be used in a teaching and learning sense. Socrative, Padlet and Moodle are also well embedded in the area.
Creative Service Industries
Beauty - The team are using Padlet and other digital learning tools, including asking students to create blogs using sites such as Wordpress and Blogger.
Nail Technology - The team are using a range of digital learning tools including Prezi, Socrative, Padlet and Nearpod to name but a few. Some highly innovative and engaging digital learning practice is being seen in the area to really engage and enthuse students.
Media Make-up - The team use a range of digital learning tools including Quizlet, Socrative, Padlet, Pinterest and others. All of these have been seamlessly integrated into sessions to help engage students in their learning.
Catering & hospitality - The team are making good use of some interactive learning packages through Moodle as well as the interactive touch screen TV's in practical sessions.
English & maths
The team are using Edmodo, a site billed as the 'Facebook for schools/colleges' to enhance the opportunities to collaborate and communicate with each other in a safe, managed environment. The team plan to use Edmodo next year instead of Moodle and this site will be sure to keep you up to date with their progress. Other online tools such as MathsWatch, resources from TES (www.tes.co.uk), Khan Academy, Classtools and many more are also being used by the team.
ESOL & Employability Skills Development
The ESOL team are using the interactive whiteboards to make learning more engaging and have some exemplary Moodle courses which include Facebook groups and quizzes. Websites such as Kahoot, Socrative and Padlet are also being used to make learning more fun and engaging for students in the area.
The Employability team are using Edmodo, Moodle, Padlet and Stoodle to name but a few.
Visual & Performing Arts
Photography - The team use Nearpod and also digital publishing sites such as Flipboard to share and publish digital content. The team are also looking at setting up blogs with students to showcase their work which also aims to enhance their employability. Students can create a digital portfolio of their work to show to potential employers.
Media - The team have an excellent Facebook page which is regularly updated and encourages discussion amongst students. A range of other digital resources are also well integrated into all that the team do as well.
Music - The team have firmly embedded resources such as Padlet & Socrative in their teaching and learning. These work incredibly well and the team has an outstanding YouTube account with tutorials for students to work through but also the work of the team is showcased through this accounts as well. The team also have a very active Twitter account that is used well and regularly.
Caring Professions, Science & Land-based
Animal care - The team are in the very early stages of looking at the use of Minecraft in Education to help students create a virtual replica of the farm. Within the game they can complete animal husbandry, improve their maths, communicate effectively and much more. Lots of other sites such as Socrative are also now being used really well in the area too.
Horticulture - The team have just started using Edmodo with their school groups. Edmodo is billed as the 'Facebook for schools' and is a very user-friendly Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that enables content sharing, quiz creation, collaboration and much more besides.
Foundation
Some really interesting work with the team using the Apple products they have at their disposal as well as some good examples of how to use the interactive whiteboards for learning.
Engineering
There is some really strong use of Moodle to create glossaries and provide interactive content including quizzes and embedded Padlet walls.
Additional Learning Support
The team use tools such as Read&Write Gold and Dragon Dictation to name just two to help support students with additional learning needs.