FE and HE collaboration sees classroom transformation at Gower College Swansea

Thanks to a successful bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), a classroom at Gower College Swansea has been transformed into an active learning space complete with videoconferencing facilities, interactive boards and VR headsets.

Swansea University led on the bid – entitled Growing Comms: to enhance HE and FE collaboration in innovation and engagement activity – and will now work in partnership with Gower College Swansea, NPTC Group and Pembrokeshire College to deliver collaborative learning opportunities for students.

C10, a classroom situated just behind the main library at the Tycoch Campus, will enable group learning with brand new facilities including a large adjustable interactive screen that tilts flat like a table top, benches fitted with power sockets and Wi-Fi.

“The completion of the investment in C10 is an exciting development and important milestone in our project – it is a beautiful learning environment,” says Growing Comms Project Manager Noémi Hilaireau.

“Using next-generation collaborative communication platforms in linked spaces will connect FE, HE and industry across the region and transform how we learn and work together.”

“This is a great example of partnership working across the HE and FE sectors,” agrees project manager Kate Pearce. “It will enable Gower College Swansea to work closely with other educational organisations and employers and will be an ideal base for the Future Skills project – a programme of masterclasses across a range of subject areas that will use collaborative technologies.

“The redevelopment of C10 has already been recognised as sector leading by JISC and we look forward to seeing it being utilised by our learners.”