A Lecturer in Health and Care has won the top award at North West Regional College’s (NWRC) 2021 Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Awards.
Fergal Mellon won the Best Use of TEL in Higher Education and the overall Best in NWRC. Judges praised the repertoire of apps he used to make his students’ learning interesting, engaging and fun, and included: quizzes, animations, interactive videos, pre-class discussions and feedback and more.
Martin Peoples, Head of Technology Enhanced Learning and Support at NWRC said: “Congratulations to all of our lecturers in what has been a challenging year in education.
“For many years at NWRC we have been working to enhance our delivery of the curriculum using technology. When the first Covid lockdown came it meant staff were able to utilise the technology they had already been using in the classroom to deliver lectures online.
“The TEL work during lockdown built on years of preparation and capacity building by teaching staff across NWRC. Many NWRC staff really excelled in their use of TEL over the Covid lockdowns. Judges were struck both by the range of tools used and the innovation in their use.
“The TEL awards celebrate those staff who have excelled in their use of Technology to support their teaching and help their students achieve. All of our nominees are winners, identified by colleagues for their excellence.
“All winners used digital tools for delivery of live classes during lockdown and became very proficient on key Microsoft tools such as Teams, Forms and Stream (for video).
“Another feature of the winners is their commitment to sharing their experiences with colleagues, something that colleagues certainly appreciated.
“June 2022 will see the next episode in Best of TEL Awards. We look forward to seeing what new and innovative examples we can enjoy then. “
Other winners in the TEL awards included:
Media/Multimedia lecturer Chris McFetridge, for use of TEL in Further Education. Chris uses a range of video tools and online quizzes to check understanding, apps for pre-recording presentations and software demonstrations
Hospitality lecturer Bernie Peoples, for use of TEL for Part-time Learners. Bernie teaches Catering, and has integrated excellent and extensive use of video to demonstrate cooking/baking skills, greatly valued by her students when in-class teaching was not possible.
Maths lecturer Ameira Coyle for use of TEL for Assessment. Ameira was praised for her excellent use of a range of digital tools, including online quizzes, video demonstrations of mathematical explanations using an overhead camera, pen and paper. She also helped students prepare for external exams by extensive use of online quizzes in Canvas digital learning platform, for practice and refining revision activities.
Essential skills lecturer Michelle Young, for Best Use of TEL in Essential Skills. Michelle was singled out for her excellent use of digital communication to maintain interest and engagement from students. Michelle created innovative digital learning materials to make her courses interesting and fun, including extensive recording of mathematical techniques, for viewing before and after class, if catching up was needed. She had weekly virtual guest speakers and virtual field trips, to keep her students interested and engaged.
Media/Multimedia lecturer Ian Broome, for Best Use of TEL for Learner Engagement. Ian was an extensive user of video for explanation and demonstration. His Youtube channel became a must visit space for his students to get knowledge and inspiration, with some sophisticated movie making techniques used. Ian’s students had some great praise for his work, the numbers (100%) finishing his courses a real testament to how he kept them on board.
The TEL work during lockdown built on years of preparation and capacity building by teaching staff across NWRC
Martin PeoplesHead of Technology Enhanced Learning
