Students meet for virtual cross-campus T Level celebration
INNOVATIVE: Students immersed in virtual reality
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Students at Bishop Burton College and Riseholme College met in a purpose-built virtual classroom to mark national T Levels Week.
Bishop Burton, near Beverley, and its sister college Riseholme, on the outskirts of Lincoln, held the event for their T Level Agriculture, Land Management and Production students.
T Levels are two-year vocational qualifications equivalent to three A Levels that combine classroom learning with industry placements.
The colleges have been using virtual reality as part of the curriculum for some time but the meeting was the first time T Level students from both campuses had interacted in such a way.
Caroline Reid, the driving force behind the creation of virtual reality learning environments at the colleges, said: “This particular room has been designed to provide students with a fun, engaging and inspiring introduction to learning in an entirely new way, and collaborate with peers at a different campus.
POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT: Guest of honour Danny Brett, centre, at Bishop Burton College
“The digital world offers endless possibilities, bridging the gap between technology and the realities of working on a farm. Through the virtual environment, students gain access to tools and experiences that not only complement their hands-on training but also prepare them to excel as forward-thinking agricultural professionals.”
The college welcomed guest of honour Danny Brett, vice chair of the T Level Ambassador Network, to participate in the session.
He said: “I’m delighted to be here today to work alongside T Level students on these amazing augmented virtual reality activities.
“Confidence is always a challenge when asking young people to embrace this type of activity, as they will need to trial and adopt new skills in front of their peers.
“It’s been clear though that the students at both campuses have really engaged positively with today’s session. Bishop Burton and Riseholme College are fantastic examples of providers making sure the experience for T Level students is an excellent one.
“It’s great to see them integrating the virtual world into day-to-day learning, particularly within T Level programmes.”
The collaboration is intended to be the first of other cross-campus sessions.
Virtual reality equipment is available for students to access in lesson time and in their spare time in the Learning Resource Centres at both colleges.
Vice principal business development and Riseholme, Beth Curtis, said: “What a fantastic way to celebrate T Levels week.
“Today has been a lot of fun but the students have also had the opportunity to collaborate and work together in a new and engaging way.
CELEBRATION: Virtual ribbon cutting
“We are very proud that Bishop Burton College and Riseholme College were among the first providers in the UK to deliver T Levels, and these innovative qualifications are an integral part of our education strategy for Level 3 learners at both campuses.
“Thanks to the significant amount of industry placement involved, T Level programmes develop the skills students need for the workplace, empowering them as the next generation of specialist professionals.”
Student Fred Anderson added: “It was really fun. I liked being immersed in the virtual world. I can see how it can help with the future of agricultural lessons.”
