College’s innovative tool takes top prize

The gong recognises the institute’s achievement in developing a high-tech analytical tool to promote equality among students by monitoring performance levels.

A number of other colleges and universities from throughout the UK and Ireland were also in the running for the JISC TechDis OASES award, but the judges were taken by the effectiveness of the Equalities Tool and named the college joint winners.

Martin McGuire, principal of Cumbernauld College, said: “Winning such a prestigious national award is a great achievement for Cumbernauld College.

“To compete and win against such a large number of colleges and universities demonstrates the high quality of service being delivered by our college.”

The tool takes the form of an intranet database, allowing staff to monitor student attainment at college, faculty, course and class level.

Course leaders are also asked to log information about the specific performance of learners who have declared a disability and the support that they have received.

This has allowed the college to see at a glance how students are performing and has led to a better understanding of how the establishment can improve.

Ian McCallum, college quality manager, said: “The Equalities Tool has revoluntionised the way in which we identify the performance of learners within age, disability, ethnicity, and gender groupings.

“The use of this information is having a positive impact on the learning experience.”