April Inglis, Employability and Enterprise Tutor and Richard Carter, Chef Lecturer – both from Eastleigh College – are through to the Learning Technology Award (LTA) final on 17 November which recognises commitment, enthusiasm and passion for learning technologies.
April and Rich were both selected in different categories for the same reason; because of their innovative use of the limited learning technologies available to them to help their respective 16-19 learner cohorts succeed during an exceptional Covid year. They join a shortlist of much larger organisations including Scottish Enterprise, National Police Chiefs’ Council, Health Education England, UN World Food Programme, and Imperial College Business School.
The finalists were selected by an independent judging panel of 60 experts organised by the eLearning Network, which advises on best practice and future trends in technology-based learning and development at work and has hundreds of members in the UK and beyond.
An innovative digital learning transformation for the delivery of the tutorial and pastoral programmes
April Inglis is responsible for the design and implementation of an innovative programme that uses digital tools to transform the delivery of pastoral tutorials college-wide. She is a finalist in the category ‘Best digital learning transformation programme implemented in response to COVID-19′.
She explains her motivation: ‘Our tutors know how to teach online, maintain pace and ensure learning objectives are met. But lockdown challenged learners massively, with young men in particular suffering with mental health issues. How could staff keep a pastoral eye on some very isolated young people?’
Best use of blended learning for Hospitality & Catering learners
For Rich the starting point was different. He says: ‘Lockdown was an industry-wide challenge and forced the team to adopt a different approach. Travel and workshops were restricted, and practical hands-on techniques had to be taught remotely. This hit us hard because we aim to provide students with an advanced understanding of the industry and elevate their ambitions with a high level of enrichment activities including hands-on engagement with food suppliers, restaurants and hotels.’
To ensure standards and creativity did not slip, the team applied blended learning with learning technologies, multi-media and digital strategies to deliver daily lessons and maintain a high level of enrichment activities. Rich is a finalist in the category ‘Best use of blended learning- public & non-profit sector’.
Pete Joddrell, Deputy Principal said: “We are very proud of both staff to be nominated, the pandemic presented us with so many challenges and we are delighted that some of the many initiatives that were put in place during the pandemic are being recognised. Our staff are always learner focused so for them it was a case of looking at making the best of a difficult situation. Their ingenuity and creativity allowed a highly effective intervention to be delivered in a short space of time and the feedback they received from learners demonstrated what a positive impact it had.”
