For the past two years we have thoroughly enjoyed working with our local institutions on a variety of case studies as part of our "Best of the West" promotion. By putting a spotlight on examples of innovative and creative uses of technology in tertiary education in the west of Scotland, we aimed to inspire and encourage institutions to engage in a spirit of knowledge exchange and collaboration. Well, inspire you we did! We now have nearly 60 case studies, including a good number of podcasts and videos, all freely available on our website to browse or download at your leisure.
As a special way of marking the end of the Best of the West initiative we revisited all the case studies and iTech Awards were presented to the institutions that our illustrious panel of judges had selected to represent the best of the "Best of the West" in the categories of Technology & Business Systems, Learning and Teaching, Access & Inclusion and Learner Services.
and the Winner is....
Technology and Business Systems
Shortlisted Nominees
Server Virtualisation - Barony College - Ian Linwood
Migrating to Virtual Servers - Cardonald College - Martin Forte & Allan Forsyth
Equalities Data Tool - Cumbernauld College - Jason Quinn, Ian McCallum & Gerry McAdams
The Use of Electronic Attendance Systems - South Lanarkshire College - Linda Young
Winner
Equalities Data Tool - Cumbernauld College - Ian McCallum, Gerry McAdams and Jason Quinn
Judge's comments: A very interesting tool with greater potential in terms of management, quality and institutional impact than is first apparent.
Highly Commended
Server Virtualisation - Barony College - Ian Linwood
Learning and Teaching
Shortlisted Nominees
Immersive Use of Mahara for Creative Industry Courses - Cumbernauld College - Alan Moffat
Eco Learning using e-Learning - Kilmarnock College - Kenny Girvan
Music Matters: Using Social Media for Community Music Placements - RSAMD - Mary Troup
The Use of Tablet PCs for e-Assessment - South Lanarkshire College - Dawn Paterson and the Construction Department.
Using Web 2.0 Tools to Develop and Support a Multi-campus class - University of the West of Scotland - Daniel Livingston
Embedding Assessmentin module delivery using Assessment21's ABC - University of the West of Scotland - Dr Neil McPherson & Alan Simpson
Winner
Immersive Use of Mahara for Creative Industry Courses - Cumbernauld College - Alan Moffat
Judge's Comments: The extent to which this project has been integrated into course delivery is noteworthy and maximises the impact to learners.
Highly Commended
Music Matters: Using Social Media for Community Music Placements - RSAMD - Mary Troup
Using Web 2.0 Tools to Develop and Support a Multi-campus class - University of the West of Scotland - Daniel Livingstone
Accessibility & Inclusion
Shortlisted Nominees
Creating Accessible Learning Materials with CALM - Glasgow Metropolitan College (now City of Glasgow College) - Jen Fuller
Free Resources to Support Inclusion - Coatbridge College - Errol Luders and Julie Grant
Implementation of MyStudyBar for all Staff & Students - South Lanarkshire College - Lorraine Cochrane
Using the JISC TechDis Toolbar to Make Your Website more Accessible - University of the West of Scotland - Caroline Lindsay
Winner
Creating Accessible Learning Materials with CALM - Glasgow Metropolitan College (now City of Glasgow College) - Graeme Brewster, Jen Fuller & John McGuire
Judge's Comments: This project stood out as being extremely well planned, effective and influential across the institution.
Highly Commended
Free Resources to Support Inclusion - Coatbridge College - Errol Luders and Julie Grant
Learner Services
Shortlisted Nominees
Benefits of Having a Learning Technologist - Clydebank College - John Kerr
Workshop Wednesdays and e-CPD - Glasgow College of Nautical Studies (now City of Glasgow College) - Fulton Dunn & George Howie
An Information Literacy and Plagiarism Pilot Project - City of Glasgow College - Jen Fuller & Nicola Buddo
InfosmART: Research Skills for Art & Design Students - The Glasgow School of Art - Duncan Chappell
Winner
Workshop Wednesdays and e-CPD - Glasgow College of Nautical Studies (now City of Glasgow College) - Fulton Dunn & George Howie
Judges' Comments: Certainly worth special merit in terms of collegiality and efficiency: supporting staff to such a degree will always have a positive effect on the learners: great example of best practice.
Highly Commended
InfosmART: Research Skills for Art & Design Students - The Glasgow School of Art - Duncan Chappell