UCLan named ‘University of the Year’ for its DigiLearn Sector initiative

UCLan's campus in Preston Pic: Tony Worrall — UCLan’s campus in Preston Pic: Tony Worrall

The University of Central Lancashire has scooped a national award for an innovative project.

At a special online awards ceremony held by national education technology group Edufuturists, UCLan was chosen as ‘University of the Year’ for its DigiLearn Sector initiative, which has already attracted members from over 300 universities, colleges and schools since its launch last April.

The internal DigiLearn initiative was first developed by UCLan’s Technology Enabled Learning and Teaching team in 2018.

The project shares and promotes the use of technology in teaching and learning amongst colleagues from the education sector.

The initiative has also enabled teaching staff to share innovative practice with each other, and helped improve the learning experience for students at the university.

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Since the project began, it has been expanded and is now available to other universities, colleges and schools across the country. It now has 960 members signed up to its DigiLean Sector community.

Members look to share digital approaches with each other to improve the way courses can be taught to students.

The project has increased in popularity since Covid-19 has seen teaching and learning move online.

The Edufuturists award was voted for by both staff across the education sector, and members of the public, for candidates who have made a real difference to both educational technology and the future of education.

Chris Melia with UCLan award — Chris Melia, Senior Learning Technologist at UCLan

Senior Learning Technologists at UCLan, Chris Melia, said: “It was a real honour for the UCLan team to be shortlisted and then receive ‘University of the Year’.

“With the DigiLearn Sector, we have tried to provide an open space for people to connect, collaborate and share good practice, and we are delighted with the response it has produced.”

What do you think of UCLan winning this award? Let us know in the comments.