Pioneering Interactive Technology in Vocational Education
In a remarkable achievement, Burton and South Derbyshire College has been awarded the inaugural Association for Learning Technology (ALT) Award for Use of Technology in Vocational Education, in partnership with the UFI VocTech Trust. This prestigious recognition is the culmination of the college’s pioneering work integrating the innovative Crdl device into their Health and Social Care programmes.
The journey with the Crdl began when Zoe Tierney, the college’s Learning Technologist, discovered the incredible potential of this interactive technology. Designed originally for therapeutic settings, the Crdl’s ability to create immersive soundscapes through touch captivated Zoe. She immediately recognized its versatility, not just within dementia care but across a range of vocational and educational contexts.
“Through touch, we adopt invisible threads of care and healing, creating a bridge between isolation and connection,” Zoe explains. “This technology has become much more than a tool for teaching about dementia—it has sparked curiosity and conversation around well-being, team building, and sensory engagement in our immersive suite.”
Transforming Teaching and Learning
The introduction of the Crdl has truly transformed the way Burton and South Derbyshire College approaches teaching and learning. Originally envisioned for use in the Health and Social Care programmes, the device has since been integrated into other areas, such as Childcare, and is now being explored for the college’s well-being initiatives and team-building activities.
“The feedback from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Zoe. “Watching learners adopt empathy and understanding through such an interactive device has been rewarding beyond measure.”
The Crdl’s innovative nature and the college’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance learning were key factors in winning the prestigious ALT Award. Zoe believes this recognition “validates our commitment to adopting innovative technology to make learning more engaging and meaningful.”
Collaborative Exploration and Ongoing Innovation
The success of the Crdl project at Burton and South Derbyshire College has been built on a foundation of collaboration and ongoing exploration. Zoe has established a Crdl working group to collaborate with local care homes, tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experiences of carers and nurses.
“They’ve shared incredible ideas for soundscapes derived from their patients’ memories and stories,” Zoe explains. “We’ve set out to bring these memories to life, with soundscapes including street market sounds, classical fairground melodies, and 1930s swing music. These soundscapes will enhance the therapeutic impact of the Crdl for residents, while continuing to deepen our learners’ understanding of sensory care.”
The college has also integrated the Crdl with their immersive suite, where students can immerse themselves in various locations while using the device as a therapeutic tool. This combination of scene and sound creates a fully immersive experience, adding a valuable component to the college’s well-being programme.
“We also intend to bring residents from the care homes into the immersive suite to experience both the Crdl and these environments,” Zoe shares. “This will allow us to observe the differences in their reactions when engaging with the Crdl in immersive settings—an exciting ongoing research project.”
Expanding Horizons and Fostering Innovation
The Crdl’s impact at Burton and South Derbyshire College extends far beyond the immediate benefits to students and staff. Zoe is excited about the future of this technology in education and the potential it holds to reshape how we think about learning.
“The Crdl enables us to explore new opportunities, allowing our learners to see residents in different environments and observe their reactions, emotions, and effects when the two elements are brought together,” she explains. “I’m excited about the future of Crdl in education and the potential it holds to reshape how we think about learning—not just in vocational education but across many sectors.”
The college’s pioneering work with the Crdl has not only transformed their own educational landscape but has also set an example for others to follow. Winning the ALT Award for Use of Technology in Vocational Education is a testament to the college’s commitment to innovation and their willingness to explore the boundaries of what’s possible in learning and teaching.
As Zoe eloquently states, “This award is just the beginning of what I hope will be an ongoing journey of discovery and innovation.” The Stanley Park High School community can look forward to seeing how the Crdl and other cutting-edge technologies continue to shape the future of vocational education.
To learn more about the college’s journey with the Crdl and their award-winning work, visit the Stanley Park High School website.
Harnessing the Power of Immersive Technology
The integration of the Crdl device into the Health and Social Care programmes at Burton and South Derbyshire College has not only transformed the learning experience for students but has also impacted the lives of the residents in local care homes.
“The Crdl enables us to explore new opportunities, allowing our learners to see residents in different environments and observe their reactions, emotions, and effects when the two elements are brought together,” Zoe explains.
One of the key aspects of this project is the college’s collaboration with the care homes. Zoe and her team have worked closely with carers and nurses, tapping into their wealth of knowledge and experiences to create immersive soundscapes that resonate with the residents.
“They’ve shared incredible ideas for soundscapes derived from their patients’ memories and stories,” Zoe says. “We’ve set out to bring these memories to life, with soundscapes including street market sounds, classical fairground melodies, and 1930s swing music. These soundscapes will enhance the therapeutic impact of the Crdl for residents, while continuing to deepen our learners’ understanding of sensory care.”
The college’s immersive suite plays a crucial role in this ongoing project. By combining the Crdl with virtual environments, students can fully immerse themselves in the experiences of the residents, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of their needs.
“We also intend to bring residents from the care homes into the immersive suite to experience both the Crdl and these environments,” Zoe shares. “This will allow us to observe the differences in their reactions when engaging with the Crdl in immersive settings—an exciting ongoing research project.”
The impact of this innovative approach extends beyond the confines of the classroom. Zoe is excited about the potential of the Crdl to reshape the way learning is approached, not just in vocational education but across various sectors.
“The Crdl enables us to explore new opportunities, allowing our learners to see residents in different environments and observe their reactions, emotions, and effects when the two elements are brought together,” she explains. “I’m excited about the future of Crdl in education and the potential it holds to reshape how we think about learning.”
As the college continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with immersive technology, the Stanley Park High School community can look forward to the inspiring stories and innovative breakthroughs that will emerge from this ongoing journey.
Fostering Empathy and Well-being through Collaborative Exploration
At the heart of Burton and South Derbyshire College’s award-winning project with the Crdl device lies a deep commitment to fostering empathy and well-being among students and the wider community.
“Through touch, we adopt invisible threads of care and healing, creating a bridge between isolation and connection,” Zoe Tierney, the college’s Learning Technologist, explains. “This technology has become much more than a tool for teaching about dementia—it has sparked curiosity and conversation around well-being, team building, and sensory engagement in our immersive suite.”
The college’s approach is not just about integrating the Crdl into their curriculum; it’s about cultivating a holistic understanding of the device’s impact on individuals and the community. By pairing the Crdl with their immersive suite, students can fully immerse themselves in the experiences of care home residents, creating a powerful connection that goes beyond textbooks and lectures.
“We also intend to bring residents from the care homes into the immersive suite to experience both the Crdl and these environments,” Zoe shares. “This will allow us to observe the differences in their reactions when engaging with the Crdl in immersive settings—an exciting ongoing research project.”
This collaborative exploration not only benefits the students but also directly impacts the lives of the care home residents. The college has worked closely with carers and nurses, tapping into their expertise to create soundscapes that resonate with the residents’ memories and stories.
“They’ve shared incredible ideas for soundscapes derived from their patients’ memories and stories,” Zoe explains. “We’ve set out to bring these memories to life, with soundscapes including street market sounds, classical fairground melodies, and 1930s swing music. These soundscapes will enhance the therapeutic impact of the Crdl for residents, while continuing to deepen our learners’ understanding of sensory care.”
The college’s commitment to well-being extends beyond the Crdl project. Zoe reveals that the device is also being explored for the college’s well-being programme and team-building activities, further demonstrating the versatility and impact of this innovative technology.
“Watching learners adopt empathy and understanding through such an interactive device has been rewarding beyond measure,” Zoe says.
The Stanley Park High School community can take inspiration from Burton and South Derbyshire College’s holistic approach to learning, where technology and human connection come together to foster a deeper understanding of well-being and the needs of the community. This award-winning project is a testament to the power of collaborative exploration and the transformative potential of immersive technologies in education.
Embracing Innovation and Collaboration for the Future of Learning
The journey of Burton and South Derbyshire College with the Crdl device has been a remarkable one, marked by innovation, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of enhancing the learning experience for both students and the wider community.
At the heart of this project is the college’s Learning Technologist, Zoe Tierney, whose passion and vision have been instrumental in shaping the Crdl’s integration into the curriculum. Zoe’s initial discovery of the Crdl’s potential, coupled with her recognition of its versatility across various vocational and educational contexts, laid the foundation for this transformative initiative.
“Through touch, we adopt invisible threads of care and healing, creating a bridge between isolation and connection,” Zoe explains. “This technology has become much more than a tool for teaching about dementia—it has sparked curiosity and conversation around well-being, team building, and sensory engagement in our immersive suite.”
The college’s collaborative approach has been a key factor in the success of the Crdl project. By working closely with local care homes and tapping into the expertise of carers and nurses, the college has been able to develop immersive soundscapes that resonate with the residents’ memories and stories.
“They’ve shared incredible ideas for soundscapes derived from their patients’ memories and stories,” Zoe shares. “We’ve set out to bring these memories to life, with soundscapes including street market sounds, classical fairground melodies, and 1930s swing music. These soundscapes will enhance the therapeutic impact of the Crdl for residents, while continuing to deepen our learners’ understanding of sensory care.”
The integration of the Crdl with the college’s immersive suite has further expanded the possibilities for learning and exploration. By combining virtual environments with the interactive capabilities of the Crdl, students can fully immerse themselves in the experiences of care home residents, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of their needs.
Zoe’s excitement about the future of the Crdl in education is palpable. “I’m excited about the future of Crdl in education and the potential it holds to reshape how we think about learning—not just in vocational education but across many sectors.”
The college’s recognition through the prestigious ALT Award for Use of Technology in Vocational Education is a testament to their commitment to innovation and their willingness to push the boundaries of what’s possible in learning and teaching.
As the Stanley Park High School community looks to the future, they can take inspiration from the remarkable journey of Burton and South Derbyshire College. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, fostering collaborative partnerships, and prioritizing the well-being of students and the wider community, the college has set a shining example of how innovation can transform the educational landscape.
The story of the Crdl at Burton and South Derbyshire College is just the beginning of a larger movement towards a more engaging, inclusive, and impactful approach to learning. As the college continues to explore the endless possibilities of this innovative technology, the Stanley Park High School community can look forward to the inspiring stories and breakthroughs that will emerge from this ongoing journey of discovery and innovation.
To learn more about the college’s award-winning work and stay informed about the latest developments, visit the Stanley Park High School website.
