College Recognised as Digital Technology Leader
City College Norwich has gained national recognition for the way it uses digital technology, computers and the web to help students succeed. The College has been accepted as a member of Becta’s Technology Exemplar Network, a national group of further education colleges and skills training bodies, which promotes and shares innovative and excellent use of technology.
This status recognises the strength of City College Norwich’s commitment to transforming its teaching, learning and management through the use of digital technology. One example of this is the College’s effective use of electronic Individual Learning Plans (e-ILPs), which enable students and their lecturers to readily access and update an online record of their progress, goals and achievements.
The College’s pioneering Training Hub web site (www.thetraininghub.co.uk) is also helping to give employers better information about the progress of their employees’ training. The College has also undertaken various initiatives to harness the potential of mobile technology to support learning, as well as using virtual learning environments, like Second Life, to bring learning to life and provide students with a limitless space in which to experiment and develop their ideas.
Dick Palmer, Principal, City College Norwich, said: “I am a passionate believer in the role that technology can play in harnessing teaching and enriching the student learning experience. Using the latest technology is also essential in enabling us to have 21st Century systems to support our students. Becoming a member of the Technology Exemplar Network provides important recognition for the work that City College Norwich already does in this area and will also provide a great platform for us to continue developing our use of digital technology and to share this learning with others”.
Jane Williams, Becta’s Executive Director for Further Education (FE) and 14-19, said: “The effective and creative use of technology in learning is the key to better results for learners, their local communities and employers. Becta is committed to helping FE and skills providers harness the power of technology to improve the learning experience and attainment while offering greater efficiencies. The addition of City College Norwich to the Technology Exemplar Network is clear evidence that more organisations in the FE and skills sector are recognising the benefits ICT can bring.”
The Technology Exemplar Network was launched in 2008 to help colleges and other learning and training organisations use technology more effectively by sharing best practice. It is led by Becta – the government’s educational technology agency – and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). As a member of the Network, City College Norwich will contribute effective practice and its positive experiences to other colleges and training groups, locally, regionally and nationally.