Microsoft awards The Trafford College Group for advances in digital learning

The Trafford College Group (@TraffordCollege) has been recognised as a @Microsoft Showcase College, joining an elite group of schools and colleges that exemplify the best of teaching and learning in the world today.

The College Group was selected by Microsoft as a global leader in educational transformation for its innovative approach to digital technologies that improve teaching and learning, inspire lifelong learning, and stimulate the development of essential life skills so students are empowered to achieve more through education.

Students can now personalise their learning by asking computers to read words out loud, increase font size and type face, and toggle backgrounds to make work stand out, creating inroads for learners with additional needs and people learning English for the first time.

Tutors at The Trafford College Group now draw on more than 50 tools to boost engagement and connectivity with students who are learning remotely as well as in classrooms, by inviting videoed responses, recording digitally drawn solutions and creating computer generated polls.

Business, law, accounting and travel and tourism students have been among the first to trial new video and microphone-equipped visualisers this academic year, linking learners for much larger discussions and debates.

Head of Business Studies & Travel and Tourism for The Trafford College Group, Lisa Cartwright, said:

“Connecting with each other has never been as important as it is now, particularly as we’re teaching large numbers of students in smaller, socially-distanced class sizes. By using these advances in technology we are able to keep in touch with employers to continue with business mentoring while equipping students for work in this digital world.”

Staff have engaged heavily in training and achieved certified Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) status, with Senior Practitioner and Science Lecturer, Michael Woods, becoming a master Microsoft trainer after gaining expert level for the fourth year in a row.

“Being selected as a Microsoft Showcase College is testament to the hard work and dedication our staff and students have invested in embedding digital learning at the College,” said Alison Magee Learning Technology Lead.

“It has been hard work but well worth everyone’s efforts, as our Group-wide implementation of Teams and the 365 Platform is successfully transforming and enhancing the teaching and learning experience for every learner. We are confident our learners have the opportunities and the integral digital life skills necessary for the world of work. We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with Microsoft to lead innovation and further transform learning.”

Learners gain access to independent learning resources and online lessons through the Microsoft Teams App that can be downloaded onto laptops, tablets and smartphones.

Anthony Salcito, Vice president, Worldwide Education, Microsoft, added:

“Microsoft Showcase Schools are shining examples of those applying purpose-driven innovation in a variety of ways to build connection, motivate students, and to create community in and out of school. These schools are truly transforming learning and providing more personalised education to students, empowering them to achieve more.”