Embracing immersive digital learning

Like many other FE institutions, we have faced testing times over the last few years. 

Even in a world before COVID-19, USP had to overcome reduced funding, low student numbers in some subjects, and a lack of high quality staff to recruit. A renewed focus was also called for in order to evolve pedagogy and embrace the digital revolution we live in. We saw a way to address these twin challenges creatively, and invested in a model to improve our teaching delivery method by focusing on and developing a far more immersive, digitally driven approach. I created a strategy with a focus on experimentation and the adoption of improved approaches and practices using digital innovations to overcome multiple barriers to maintaining and expanding a cost effective high quality curriculum offer. The need to adapt and re-think teaching is pivotal to future-proofing education, and the reality of COVID-19 has only accelerated the need to make some of these changes at pace. 

The solution, devised in 2018 with engagement and implementation coming to fruition during the first half of 2019, was to create immersive teaching and learning spaces. These spaces would enable peer and collaborative learning as well as having the all-important wow factor with a 5-screen, ultra-HD “V-Room” classroom system, incorporating video conferencing and smart technologies. The design of the room was key to ensure an innovative space was created rather than replicating the traditional classroom. This original vision remains the pedagogical gold standard in linking groups of students between campuses and other partner colleges to support collaborative teaching. Students have benefited from these facilities already, improving their employability and communication skills via activities such as virtual presentations. Our investment has also increased student motivation as a result of being able to share specialist expertise across our campuses and removing geographical barriers, resulting in improved learning outcomes. The model has greatly improved the lack of consistency of experience students face, enabling multi campus students to access the best teachers available. Cost base has improved by saving duplicated resources and by combining small group numbers from each campus in the immersive leaning environment.

The College has gone on to further enhance the immersive infrastructure by installing 25 live-streaming rooms across our campuses. This enables remote students to join live college based lessons through a largely automated hosting platform, the same that operates our Immersive Rooms, allowing the teacher to concentrate on the learning. Students are able to interact as if they are in the classroom, see their fellow college-based students, view content, share their own work and engage support from the teacher. 

Without initially anticipating this, the College has been able to advance quickly into 2020’s new age of remote learning, scaling remote participation up and down as Government advice has changed to ensure continuity of education at all times. Now, with education institutions open but the day to day impact of COVID-19 remaining, the College is able to support teachers and students who are self-isolating to ensure learning can continue. In addition, designated members of staff are able to observe lessons remotely, ensuring safety measures are adhered to but quality is not lost in the process. 

We are also in the latter stages of developing our Centre of Excellence for extended and immersive learning, which will further improve our ability to connect nationally and internationally. The Centre will have further immersive learning spaces, state of the art virtual reality suites, studio space and facilities for VR content development. Collectively, this will aid employer relationship growth and the scope of project-based learning for both our own College and our partners.  

USP College is hugely excited about the opportunities that our Digital Strategy, the immersive infrastructure already in place, and our future plans will allow us to expand delivery models, curriculum, and access to the highest skilled TLA talent that would not have been possible before. Students will undoubtedly receive a greatly enhanced learning experience – which we very much hope will help to offset the disruption that this year’s COVID-19 pandemic has created. We are focused on moving USP College and its students successfully forward.

Dan Pearson is principal of USP College, a multi-campus further education college in Essex offering a broad range of courses, qualifications, and apprenticeships, including sixth form provision.

Check out SFCA's online learning hub, which shares ideas from sixth form colleges across the country on designing engaging online learning, here.