Microsoft Showcase Colleges are a global network of colleges ‘engaged in innovative change to improve teaching and learning and support the economic vitality of the locality they serve’

Global tech giant Microsoft has chosen Hugh Baird College in Bootle as one of only 16 in the UK to become a ‘Showcase College’ – and the first in Merseyside.

Microsoft Showcase Colleges are a global network of colleges ‘engaged in innovative change to improve teaching and learning and support the economic vitality of the locality they serve’.

Hugh Baird College will be enabled to focus on personalised learning for students through the use of one-to-one devices and Office 365 Education, Teams, Office Mix, OneNote, Sway, Skype and more.

The college will also share ideas with other Showcase Colleges and host educational events designed to inspire young people about the potential technology has to transform their career potential

High Baird offers blended learning – using online or digital support on courses, a team of Digital Champions to help staff develop their own digital skills, and Microsoft training. Increasing numbers of staff across the college are also gaining Microsoft Innovative Educator badges through an innovative course that helps teachers learn how to best apply technology in education.

Head of services at Hugh Baird, John Billington, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Hugh Baird College to receive this accolade. As a Microsoft Showcase College, our students, staff and community will benefit from billions of pounds of research and knowledge that we would have otherwise not have had access to.

“We all know that technology is constantly changing and we have to keep up with it if we are to provide the skills our learners deserve and the support our staff need.”