Tayside Virtual Campus Goes “Real”

Tayside Virtual Campus welcomed over 100 sixth year pupils from schools from across Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross to its BIG Launch event at University of Dundee this week. The young people who study courses, mainly at Advanced Higher level, come from 23 local secondary schools in a joint project which delivers most learning in an online class. Subjects include Computing Science, French and Politics.

Campus Director, Dave Keenan explained “People are often surprised that PE is offered through our campus. But it’s straightforward in the sense that the teacher delivers the lessons, either live or recorded and sets and marks assignments online. The young people can record performance in sports at school or as part of club activities and use that in their evidence for the qualifications”.

“The campus is designed to allow all young people in all our schools the opportunity to study a subject which would otherwise not be available; usually because of small numbers in any one school. This can be especially challenging for smaller secondaries and those in rural areas. It also allows the young people to develop skills and qualities essential in higher education and in today’s workplaces. To help them do that, we now have a recognised qualification for them at the end of their ‘Bootcamp’ preparation course. It also aims to help break barriers to academic success and support youngsters who might not consider continuing with education”.

“We are also increasingly important to the future economy of the region. We have gone from just a handful of Advanced Higher Computing students two years ago, to having 36 enthusiastic and talented young people this coming year”.

“In just two years, the campus has expanded with seven subjects and over 200 applications. Today’s event at Dundee University will help them build relationships with their teachers and classmates and help prepare them for the year ahead”.