The Welsh Government has announced the injection of a further £8 million to support digital learning in the country’s further education sector.
It said it wants FE colleges to respond to the fund – now totalling £30 million since 2019 – by investing in equipment and infrastructure to make digital learning central to their plans.
The Welsh Government provides the funding through Jisc - the membership organisation for technology services in the sector –which is a key partner for the Digital 2030 strategic framework for digital learning in Wales. This enables FE colleges to access a range of digital services and support.
Jisc is also carrying out research to identify opportunities to maximise the potential of digital learning FE.
Edge of innovation
Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Jeremy Miles said: “I want our FE sector in Wales to be at the leading edge of innovation, creativity and collaboration. I am very pleased to see many examples of this type of activity already taking place, and to be able to confirm further investment over the next few years.
“Colleges are already taking innovative approaches to digital learning, including Bridgend College, whose learners are already benefitting from previous Welsh Government funding to support digital learning. The college have developed a high quality video capture and streaming service which will improve learners’ experience across a number of subject areas.
“The animal care department are able to live stream animals in their natural environment, allowing learners to witness activity such as lambing without being physically present.”
Scott Morgan, head of digital innovation and IT services at Bridgend College, said: “We have used digital technology to innovate our teaching practices across a number of areas, from hair and beauty to performing arts, with great success. This has resulted in interactive learning experiences, and has allowed us to use technology to support demonstrations and assessments, with significantly more uses to be explored in future.”
