Digital Learning Beyond the Classroom
The digital age we live in puts a wealth of resources and technology at our fingertips.
At Weston College, we use these digital advantages to make learning more accessible through the ‘Flexible Learning Fund’ (FLF). Our digital learning team works closely with curriculum staff to adapt lesson content into digital formats, whilst ensuring virtual learning remains engaging and high quality.
This enables people whose circumstances might prevent them from physically attending college to access the same opportunities and make the most of some of the fantastic part-time courses that are available. This flexible approach also helps students on Access to Higher Education courses, by enabling work and research to be completed outside the academic year so it doesn’t interfere with other courses.
Compared to an average online learning course, the digital learning team goes the extra mile to connect learners with a personal tutor. These lecturers, who have a breadth of experience in their industry, provide their students with the same care and attention as those studying in a ‘traditional’ sense.
This is all done through the Virtual Learning Environment where participants receive and submit work and interact with their tutors. Hattie Abretti, Digital Learning Development Manager, said: “Although we are still in our infancy as a team, we already have a strong ethos and model to which we develop our courses.
“We want learners to engage with content, not be spoon fed. Our primary focus is providing quality access to our outstanding subject specialists and opportunities to participate in, and build, learning communities.”
The team made fantastic progress since being formed just over a year ago, with courses such as the Autism Awareness Award experiencing high levels of intake. The team currently comprises five members of staff:
Hattie – Digital Learning Development Manager
Having studied design and animation, I fell into an instructional design and development role shortly after graduating and have never looked back! I am currently studying for an MSc in Digital Education with Edinburgh University and find that experiencing distance learning myself really highlights the benefits and challenges that learners can face.
Kirsty – Digital Learning Developer
After studying interactive design I worked for a number of consultancies managing the design, development and implementation of learning strategies, in subject areas and industries ranging from aviation, finance, health to management, education and defence. Digital learning can enable truly adaptive learning; delivering tailored solutions to learners, rather than a ‘one-size fits all’ approach.
Alice – Digital Learning Developer
I've been in the Digital Learning Development team for almost a year and I love it! I am a qualified FE teacher, a Microsoft Certified Educator and have an MA in Technology, Education and Learning from University of Leeds. My favourite thing about digital learning is creating safe environments for people to develop practical skills online and developing the confidence to learn in new ways.
Nadia – Digital Learning Developer
I have been teaching IT to adults for around 15 years in a variety of sectors. There is a huge stigma around online learning being boring and very information-heavy with learners simply clicking through power-point slides full of text. This is simply not the case with what we are achieving here at Weston College – our online learning is interactive, engaging and motivational!
