Cardiff and Vale College’s pioneering use of technology to create immersive and inclusive learning experiences has meant it has retained its Microsoft Showcase College status for the seventh year running.
CAVC was crowned as the first Microsoft Showcase College in Wales in 2018. The status signifies that the College is an innovator in the Welsh Further Education sector and that it has a strong digital strategy.
Microsoft Showcase College status also reflects the expertise of staff across the College and their enhanced digital skills on the latest teaching and learning technologies to support students. Using the latest tools, information and technologies helps prepare learners for the world of work, meaning they can add instant value to any employer.
Over the last year the College and its Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) team has supported growth by developing its Digital Transformation Strategy, helping individual departments within CAVC to focus on their digital development and offer learners insightful experiences in their chosen career paths.
This has included initiatives such as recognising that some learners on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses may require fundamental digital skills support. The College’s Success Centre team developed a targeted short course for ESOL learners to build their confidence and competence in basic IT with personalised coaching to familiarise them with essential digital terminology and core IT tasks.
The College’s Criminology learners have benefited from a custom, multi-user VR crime scene, which is used to assess their practical evidence identification and collections skills in a simulated professional setting. Using virtual tools such as fingerprint dust and brush, UV torch, evidence bags and markers, learners investigate the scene with progress recorded for assessment.
Construction learners have been able to navigate a custom multi-user construction site where they could identify the various hazards which are commonly seen on site. Each correctly identified hazard is highlighted with a skull and crossbones icon with a score recorded and displayed on a billboard in the world, allowing learners to experience the risks and health and safety needed for a site visit before attending a working location.
Learners on Automotive courses have been tasked with building a Lego Robot car using at least two actuators and at least two sensors. They then had to programme the robot car in such a way that it could solve a maze autonomously, giving them experience of the programming element of mechanics.
As Automotive learners studying the electric vehicle module are not allowed to touch an electric vehicle until they are on the Level 3 course due to high voltages, CAVC has developed a hands-off education tool. Using AR and VR, the tool allows learners to dismantle an electric car and turn each part to gain familiarity with its set-up.
A group of International learners on a course to develop digital skills took part in a virtual space mission to fix sensors presented to them by astronaut Tim Peake. They then had to import Python Modules and programme a Raspberry Pi single board computer to check appropriate sensors and show their output data on a monitor.
Learners wanting to get into the media and broadcasting industry were tasked with creating and their own podcast with the Jason Mohammad Media Academy. They progressed from planning and scripting, to recording using Soundtrap and professional equipment. Some learners went on to publish their podcasts on Spotifiy.
And the College’s weekly Coding Club allows learners to explore coding and other digital skills while self-managing projects.
Showcase status also reflects the College’s commitment to ensuring its staff have the latest digital skills. This has included a dedicated digital forum on Microsoft Teams where staff can ask technology-related questions, share tips and exchange best practice, and Microsoft Mixer networking events for staff who have achieved Microsoft certifications in recent years to foster a culture of digital excellence.
CAVC’s TEL team also actively engages with external learning communities, regularly attending EdTech events across the UK both to contribute and stay informed about emerging technical innovations.
Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James-Evans said: “We are absolutely delighted that Microsoft has continued to recognise our commitment to Technology Enhanced Learning. We have a digital skills strategy to continuously provide CAVC colleagues and learners with the opportunities and technology to grow their own digital skills and the work we do with Microsoft supports that commitment.
“Not only does this enhance learners’ experience at College, giving them valuable insights into the world of work in their chosen careers, but it ensures we use the most up to date technology to teach and support our learners. Office365 and packages like Teams and Outlook are the most used platforms in businesses across the world and all of learners leave College as confident users of Microsoft technology no matter what course they have been on – and that will add instant value to any employer.”