Students and staff at the College of West Anglia have a busy start to the summer term
Students and staff at the College of West Anglia (CWA) have had a busy start to the summer term.
Since face-to-face teaching and learning has transitioned to online studying, teachers have uploaded a variety of online, interactive resources and media for the students to continue their studies from home.
Teaching staff have also been holding individual and group tutorials to support assignment work and to keep learners motivated on CWA’s online learning platform, LEARN, which is currently averaging around 30,000 logins per day.
Programme manager of art and design at the college, Paul Gibson, said: “Our students have been having virtual learning sessions using Zoom. These are being recorded and shared with learners for future reference. We are meeting learners on an individual basis to hold tutorials and check on their work, progress and well-being.”
Art and Design student, Holly Craske, is adapting well to online learning. She said: “During lockdown I have been working on my final major project for art and one area I have decided to work on is the evolution of flower painting and photography. The support from my tutors has been great. I receive emails from my Maths tutor and my Art tutor with the work I need to do, and I know I can contact my tutors if needed, while I work on the final project for the college year.”
Level 3 Childcare students from the Wisbech campus, who sat their NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education exam at the beginning on the year celebrated some outstanding exam results with all 11 students who sat the exam, which was centred around healthy lifestyles and achieving a 100 per cent pass rate.
Course director, Tara Johnson, said: "I am really proud of the girls that sat the controlled assessment at the beginning of the year; it was the first time we have run this course at the college. We were given access to the question on day one and only had this day to guide the girls then they were left on their own to complete the assessment.
"I really could not have asked for more from them. They have proven their knowledge and were clearly able to demonstrate their ability within the childcare industry. I look forward to moving them further forward in their second year and seeing them develop into excellent Early Years Educators in the near future."
Health and Social Care student, Maddi Spiteri-Nobbs, who lives in Wisbech recently ‘braved the shave’ in order to raise money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn
She said: “I’m hoping raising money can help provide better equipment for staff to stay protected. The NHS is currently being used at full capacity, so I wanted to help in some way. During these challenging times for everyone I have realised how important it is to give back to others.
"I have used the QEH multiple times throughout my life as four years ago I was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune condition and the staff have been nothing but amazing and supportive. They helped me in my time of need and I want to help them in theirs."
Maddi shaved her head this week and has already raised £1,165.00 for the hospital.
She said: “I am hugely overwhelmed and amazed by the support I have been shown. Shaving my head was so worth it for this cause! It’s such an amazing hospital and the staff are great. They deserve a thank you, like all key workers do during this time. I am lucky enough to stay safe in my own home. You’re really amazing.”
If you would like to donate, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/maddinobbs
Students, staff and, even, family members have also recognised the importance of looking after their physical health and mental well-being at this time.
Air and Defence lecturer, Jo Evans, said: “Our learners have been participating in daily PT sessions with me using online workouts including; strength, conditioning and kickboxing workouts and sometimes, getting their families involved as well. This is important for their physical fitness, as many of our students will go on to join the RAF when they leave us, and their mental well-being at this time.”
Students have also been finding ways to keep motivated and stay positive during the crisis.
Olivia Crane, said: “I have joined Gareth Malone’s Online Great British Home Choir, which is so much fun learning different songs, also once or twice most weeks we have been having special guests joining us as well for part of the sessions, including a couple of cast members from the Military Wives Film, they spoke to us about some of the experiences they had in the making of the film.
"I have had regular exercise to make sure I keep healthy, finding new workouts online to do as well as taking the dog for a walk. I have done bedtime yoga with Adrienne classes on YouTube, which are very relaxing and gets rid of all negative energy.”
The Learning Resource Centre has been busy supporting learners remotely and transitioning and accommodating for student clubs, Student Council meetings and Mentor Schemes to move to online formats, as well as making fun activities and resources available to all; including cookery and creative writing clubs.
They have also been ensuring the welfare of learners with regular contact and their own Wellbeing Club, which focusses on discussion and activities around staying positive.
Staff have hosted Facebook live event tours to share information and answer any concerns parents or applicants or for those interested in applying may have regarding exams, student life, transport and any other questions or concerns, with plans to hold more in the coming weeks. Please visit cwa.ac.uk for more information.
