College named as finalist for AoC Beacon Award

Preston’s College has been announced as a finalist for this year’s Effective use of Technology in Further Education Award from the Association of Colleges.

Now in its 24th year, the AoC Beacon Awards showcase best practice and innovation in colleges.

This comes after the College invested in e-learning to explore ways of incorporating augmented and virtual reality into teaching to help bridge the gap between technology and textbook. Examples include designing a football boot using the 3D iPad scanners and dance students critiqued their movements and techniques using a 360° camera in their classes (read more).

Alison Humphreys, Head of Quality at Preston’s College, said: “We have focused on technology and innovation in recent years and it’s great to see our efforts have been recognised nationally by being shortlisted. Understanding that students take in information in different ways, we’ve look at a range of options to enhance their learning experience.

“Our students come from a mix of backgrounds and technology has enabled us to offer flexible 24/7 eLearning which can fit in with their other commitments. This shortlist comes after recently being ranked 7th nationally for results, demonstrating our focus on providing quality delivery and outcomes.”

This year AoC has joined in partnership with TES (formerly Times Education Supplement), a trusted and respected media partner, to promote and celebrate the great work and success of colleges and the FE sector.

The winners will be announced at the ‘TES FE Awards in association with AoC Beacon Awards’ ceremony in on the 22 March 2019.

This event will recognise the very best examples of best practice across FE and our new partnership will help to raise the media profile of colleges and their positive impact throughout the year.

Carole Stott MBE, Chair of the AoC Charitable Trust, said: “The Beacon Awards were created to highlight the great work that goes on in colleges every day.

Colleges do great work transforming the lives of more than two million people each day and are deeply embedded within their communities. Preston’s College has done exceptionally well to get this far and we wish them the best of luck.”