Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) is home to over 12,500 students and around a thousand staff. The college is unique, covering Further Education (FE), Higher Education (HE), and apprenticeships.
In this interview, we speak with Dr Jonathan Mann, Head of Digital and LRC at B&FC. Jonathan shares how they partnered with Vodafone, and Canvas VLE, to create accessible digital learning experiences that align with industry standards, improve local employment rates and promote social mobility. Jonathan also shares how they’ve used data-driven insights within Canvas to refine teaching strategies and ensure that educational offerings remain responsive to the evolving needs of our diverse student body.
How does B&FC leverage its business networks to improve employment rates for students?
Our college has a long-standing commitment to serving the local community, especially in areas facing economic challenges.
We work closely with the local council, as well as large employers such as Vodafone, to provide job-ready skills and apprenticeships to our students and improve employment rates.
We collaborate very closely with employers to design courses within our VLE - Canvas, and they help us ensure that our course content reflects the sector's needs.
What led to your decision to switch to Canvas VLE?
Organisations like the Office for Students (OFS) and Ofsted are increasingly aware that digital spaces should carry the same standards as the physical learning experience - a mentality that we’ve championed for a long time here at B&FC.
In 2019 we reassessed and decided that our previous VLE provider (an open-source, self- hosted solution) didn’t quite fit our vision and goals at B&FC. We needed a more accessible and reliable online experience for students; for educators to collaborate with students through varying communication mediums; and for the ability to make data-driven decisions. That’s why we chose Canvas VLE.
How are you using Canvas to promote continued excellence at B&FC?
We’ve used the data and analytics function to improve teacher and student engagement with Canvas VLE. After all, active participation is akin to active teaching and learning, and it's at the core of our educational ethos.
More specifically, we use the analytics functions within Canvas to assess student performance, conduct skills reviews, assess the educational distance travelled, and tailor learning pathways for them moving forward. We’re also able to provide ad-hoc evidence-based support and interventions for students, based on metrics such as attendance, engagement and so forth.
And it’s not just students who have adopted this mentality of continued improvement. We’ve developed Canvas best practices for educators informed by analytics, alongside research and feedback from educators and students.
What kind of results have you seen from using Canvas VLE?
We’ve achieved tangible success following our efforts to improve digital learning. For instance, our satisfaction metrics have shown a marked increase, a trend reflected in the National Student Survey (NSS) results for our institution. We take great pride in being shortlisted for accolades such as the 2020 What Uni Student Choice Awards.
We’ve also received praise from regulatory bodies like the OFS. And we’re one of only three colleges to receive the prestigious TEF Gold award.
Ultimately, Canvas VLE supports B&FC’s vision for inclusive educational excellence. Canvas helps B&FC to reach students with varying accessibility needs and from all walks of life, arming them with the skills needed to succeed in the world of work. And we’ll never rest on our laurels. Thanks to Canvas analytics, we can make data-driven decisions, course-correct, and ensure teachers and students are always reaching, if not exceeding their full potential.
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