Plymouth University’s use of technology to advance learning development and excellence has been recognised at an international award ceremony.
Two teams from the University achieved successes at the Learning Technologist of the Year Awards, organised by the Association for Learning Technology (ALT), including sharing the Community Choice accolade.
Staff from Academic Support, Technology and Innovation (ASTI) and Technology Enhanced Learning for Medicine and Dentistry (TELMeD) attended an award ceremony, held during the ALT Annual Conference in Manchester.
As well as the Community Choice success – which was voted for by ALT members – ASTI was also named runners-up in the team category, with TELMeD highly commended, and judges noted the impact of their work both within the University and beyond.
The ASTI team comprises of Digital Skills Developers, Learning Technologists and Researchers, who support staff in the use of digital technologies and resources for teaching, learning, assessment and research.
It also provides guidance and advice on a range of technology enhanced learning and assessment initiatives to help individuals, programme teams, faculty groups and professional services staff to progress their own development ideas and projects.
Professor Neil Witt, Head of ASTI, said:
“As the only university to have two nominees on the final shortlist, this is a real boost for our teams and the University as a whole. By listening to the expectations and aspirations of our students and staff, we are enabling them to influence future technological advances, and providing them with the tools they need to excel. This, and our ambition to become a digital university, is creating an environment where students and staff can work in an environment where sustainable digital innovation benefits their learning and development.”
The TELMeD team develop, manage and support virtual and physical technology enhanced learning environments within the University’s Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry (PU PSMD).
This specialist area incorporates physical learning spaces, institutional virtual learning environments, personalised learning environments, and mobile and immersive learning environments.
Professor Robert Sneyd, Dean of Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, said:
“My congratulations go to our TELMeD team for this superb achievement. Their innovation and creativity allow us to develop learning technology of the highest quality to train the doctors and dentists of the future.”
The ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Awards celebrate and reward excellent practice and outstanding achievement in the learning technology field, and aim to promote intelligent use of Learning Technology on a national scale. They are open to individuals and teams based anywhere in the world, with entrants having to pass a range of shortlistings and interviews before reaching the finals.