BeSwitched On Project Evolves

2. Activities

1. IntroductionOriginally the project was to run a one day workshop for Computing students in Further Education colleges to get a taster of computing in Higher Education, building on the previous events.

AimHigher ran a related event (AFactor) during the time of the project which met the goals of the project including• Engaging FE students,•Giving them a positive experience of computing,

This enabled some new and exciting opportunities to be pursued.

AFactor and the money from the Widening Participation funding gave us an opportunity to use a resource unique in this region, NVision, to give the students (and later groups of students) a chance to ‘play’ in an immersive environment.

Scott Turner(School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton)., Kelly Savage (NVision, Northampton) and Stuart Wayne (Nvision, Northampton)

A demonstration module, that has been used in events for Widening Participation events

Provided hands on experience in groups for 3 – 4 people by creating a 3d presentation using a professional design tool called Autodesk Showcase.

The students are given a short design brief and shown how to import models, select materials, shots and backgrounds then set up an animation and then present a 3d show to their peers in a professional setting.

3. Summary• A hands-on module has been developed that

has lets students get experience with some high-end visualisation equipment that is only usually available in large companies.

• Combining the project money with money from other projects and sources has enabled a much richer experience for the participants.

• The range of subjects areas that this is applicable to, is wider than the original projects goals whilst still meeting those goals.

•  Feedback has been very positive about experience both from the students who took part and the accompanying staff.  “The Computer Day at Northampton University was brilliant.  All students thoroughly enjoyed the event and those who attended are looking in depth at the courses Northampton offer.” Caroline Freeman (IT Tutor, Tresham) as sent to AimHigher.

• Around 90 students have been through the module. It has also enabled a widening the range of students that can be engaged.

4. Acknowledgements• University Widening Participation Funding • AimHigher Northamptonshire• Connexions Northamptonshire

NVision was made possible thanks to £2.5m of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)