This category was particularly closely fought - the judges felt that the overall standard was incredibly high. But they were in agreement as to the outstanding entry.

Cardiff and Vale College is on a mission: to empower learners to be the innovators of the future. And the college’s technology enhanced learning (TEL) team has introduced a host of initiatives to do exactly that.

Teachers use virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality headsets to ensure learners get the most out of the technology. In one lesson on schizophrenia, learners watched a 360 ̊ VR video to experience what it’s like to have the condition. They used their experience and online research to produce a script for a news report on schizophrenia and its treatment before filming the segment in front of a green screen. Building is under way for an immersive 3D house and a 3D aerospace model to accommodate future projects.

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The college participates in Jisc digital insights and capability programmes, with staff working towards “explorer” and “pioneer” badges. Teachers also work towards becoming Microsoft-certified educators and are supported by departmental digital leaders to do so. All of this continuing professional development and gained knowledge doesn’t stay within the college’s four walls: this year, the TEL team hosted the second Let’s Get Phygital event, bringing together primary, secondary and FE educators.

The judges said: “The strategic approach taken by Cardiff and Vale ensures longevity and concentrates on the world beyond the college walls to provide a bigger, broader economic benefit to the community.”