Digifest is a two-day exhibition where educators and industry professionals come together to discuss collaborative ways of using digital technology. Havant & South Downs College Digital Learning Designer, Kev Bradshaw, discusses his presentation at the festival and why he believes HSDC is a leading College in integrating technology into teaching and learning.
“Working in the education sector, Digifest is a brilliant event to showcase what we do as a College. This could be anything from how we integrate cameras, computers and software in order to support teaching and learning. It could also be using drones in photography or mobile apps for reflective work, anything to support the industry and enhance the skillset and employability skills of our students.
“I also take a lot away from the event as well as contributing to it. It opens a lot of doors and means we can network with other people from the digital world. I feel like it has helped raise the profile of our College, giving us a voice at such a high-profile event. You always pick up new tips and tricks at events such as this to bring back into the workplace.
“It’s brilliant for inspiring others as well as being inspired.
“This year I am presenting on ‘how video can innovate pedagogical methods’. I am looking at how video can support remote access, so our students aren’t bound to the classroom. Students can take cameras outside of the classroom, and phones and tablets can connect anywhere. It’s brilliant because you’re upskilling them with digital technology. They all know how to snapchat, but it’s about teaching them the skills to take into the workplace, such as how to use Google Drive, cut videos and how to compose a shot.
“It’s also about upskilling our staff. I’m a creative person so I really want to inspire people to be creative with their teaching. Being a former teacher, I was very creative and that’s where all this started for me.
“I am constantly looking at what the industry is doing and how we can implement that into what we can do as a College.
“I am there to get the voice of the students and the staff, I am on the front line. I do my research because I enjoy doing it. With DigiFest it’s all about sharing best practice. People are there to talk about their journeys and discuss what works and what doesn’t work.
“This year I have a bigger presentation on the importance of video. Video has had a really positive effect on teaching and learning at our College, so I’ll be talking a little bit about that journey, how we use it and what the outcomes have been.
“In a way, we are leading in that sector because of the innovative things we are doing with technology.
“I want us to be on the map in the education sector and to offer something different to our students.”