Derby Wins Top Award For Distance Learning
16 November 2006
Professor David Young, Head of Learning Through Work.
To be one of only a handful of Universities to be shortlisted in two categories at these ‘University Oscars’ was delightful enough in itself, but to come away with a top award is absolutely terrific.
”Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby
At the 2006 Times Higher Awards for higher education, last night at London’s Hilton, Park Lane, the University of Derby scooped the award for ‘Most Imaginative Use Of Distance Learning’.
The recognition celebrates years of innovation and development at the University in the field of distance learning that has made the University of Derby the market leader for Learning Through Work – taking programmes to the place of work. The Learning Through Work team, headed by Professor David Young, collected the award.
This category drew a very strong field of innovative entries that impressed the judges, but the decision to honour Derby’s Learning Through Work Scheme was unanimous.
This distinctive approach customises courses to meet the workplace needs learners and their organisations. Over 1,000 students will study with the University through the programme this year. It lets them plan and structure their learning around their job, and it certifies their accomplishments.
Gráinne Conole, professor of e-learning at the Open University’s Institute of Educational Technology said: “Derby’s entry represents an excellent example of how technology can be used to provide more flexible and individual tailored learning to meet the demands of the modern workplace.
“It offers many pedagogical ingredients for success – self-paced learning, personalised environment, negotiated contracts, events-based activities – in a coherent programme of support.”
Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said, "I am absolutely delighted at the recognition this award represents for my colleagues and the excellent work they do. The University is very genuinely the market leader in Learning Through Work and this award is a tremendous recognition of its quality.
“To be one of only a handful of Universities to be shortlisted in two categories at these ‘University Oscars’ was delightful enough in itself, but to come away with a top award is absolutely terrific. Our support for disabled students was also highly commended so it is a great outcome all round."
Derby is one of five founding higher education institutions for Learndirect’s Learning Through Work (LTW), a framework that allows people to plan and structure their learning around their job and have it certified.
Learners can study either in groups or individually, designing a programme with a university tutor. All learners have access to resources including an electronic library and a dedicated support team.
Programmes can lead to awards that range from certificates of achievement to Master’s Degrees.
Chris Newman, one of Derby’s nominated LTW team, says: “The scheme gives people who are already committed to work opportunities that they would not otherwise have.”
There was further success as Derby was also short listed in the category ‘Outstanding Support for Students with Disabilities’. Heather Marshall, assistant team leader of the Support and Advisory Service, says the scheme, Get Ahead – an induction week for disabled students, has been a tremendous success.
“We have made the transition for disabled students that bit more comfortable. They can get on with admin tasks and get used to the setting. We are committed to creating an experience [for disabled students] that is on the same level as that of able-bodied students.”
More than 90 of all of the UK's universities have taken part in this year's Times Higher Awards. The awards, masterminded by the Times Higher Education Supplement, are higher education’s only comprehensive set of honours, and recognise and reward people working in universities across the UK making outstanding contributions to enhancing and enriching the student learning experience.
The awards also receive support from the Higher Education Academy, Research Councils UK, the Office for Fair Access, Forum for the Future and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, Toshiba, Hobsons and Microsoft.
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For further information call: Simon Butt, Press and PR Officer at the University of Derby on 07748 920023, or email s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
