NWRC shortlisted for award

The Next Generation Learning Awards recognise and reward FE Colleges that are making a real difference through their forward-thinking approach to learning.

Over the past few months representatives from Becta, the government body which promotes technology in learning, and which runs the awards, visited staff and students at the Strand Road Campus of the College to discover the innovative ways in which North West Regional College is integrating the use of new technology across its courses.

Part of Becta's 'Harnessing Technology' strategy, the awards aim to showcase the contribution and impact of technology in further education, highlight best practice and raise awareness of the extensive benefits of technology to the learners, employers and communities as a whole.

North West Regional College was short listed in the highly contested General FE section, with the judges commending the investment and commitment made within the College, which has resulted in a significant increase in the number of staff and students making the most of Information and Learning Technologies (ILT) systems to improve their learning. Notably the College was praised for ‘excellent management information’ and ‘excellent attitude to accessibility and inclusion’.

Martin Peoples, Principal Lecturer in ILT at the College assisted the Becta representatives as they assessed the College’s entry to the awards scheme.

“Our inclusion in the shortlist is a major boost to those many staff who have been pioneering ILT projects across the College – we are delighted that the College’s commitment to improving the learning experience through technology has been recognised, and it has motivated us to explore how we can further improve,” he said.

Examples of the new technology in use can be found across all the College campuses now, from teaching rooms, to Student Services, with provision of online learning materials and tools, and the College has provided investment for innovative curriculum projects, many with significant ILT elements. Examples of these include, development of touch-screen learning materials for use in the practical Motor Vehicle and Hairdressing workshops; Piloting the use of e-books in Tourism, Sport and Hospitality; The provision of interactive technology demonstration facilities in Catering; The development of podcast-based learning materials in Catering and Hospitality courses. These are a small number of examples that demonstrate why North West Regional College is fast becoming a leader in the use of ILT for improving learning.