NCG’s leading work in AI has featured in a brand-new book about AI in further education.
“Hello Future”, launched last month by Hull College, includes case studies and examples of best practice from AI experts across the FE sector, including NCG’s Head of Learning Technology, Rob Wraith.
Rob authored a chapter focusing on "AI-Driven Curriculum Development and Adaptive Learning Pathways", talking about how AI can have significant benefits for educators, if carefully considered and implemented.
In it, Rob explains how AI can automate routine tasks such as grading and content creation, giving teachers more time to focus on their students.
Rob said he was approached to feature in the book because the college had noticed the work he was leading on at NCG, including an AI Administrator app (AI TeachAssist) which was built by his team to support teaching learning and assessment.
He said: “I received the call last year, because NCG is driving the use of technology within FE, which is what the book’s all about. It’s good to know that our peers can see that the work we’re doing here at NCG is valuable enough to put into a book to be shared with thousands of people.”
The book, which you can download here, follows Rob's recent appointment to the Bett UK Advisory Board.
This elected board is made up of educators and leaders in Education Technology (EdTech) and is focused on shaping the future of EdTech by advising on top trends, giving education insights and helping to shape the content programme of Bett events. Rob’s appointment brings lots of benefits to NCG and its colleges.
Rob continued: “There's a real mix of people on the board, including leaders from primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions and charities, so we get to learn from their experiences with technology.
“It’s quite easy to get stuck working in a bubble of NCG, but to hear and see what schools are doing, what our future students are experiencing right now at school, makes us better placed to make sure their experience of college is in line with their expectations.
“As an example, I’ve recently learned that some secondary schools have received funding to introduce VR headsets to their pupils. I know if they get to college and don’t have access to the same tech, they might be disappointed. However, if they get here and are not only given a headset but are also introduced to virtual environments where they’re practicing welding and fabrication techniques in real time via that headset, they are more likely to share this experience with their parents. Ensuring we give our students the experience they expect and need to succeed in the future is exactly why the work I do is important.”
The next event Rob is due to speak at is the Jisc DigiFest25 conference next month. Find out more.