Digital innovation in action: CDN College Awards 2025 shortlist

We’re proud to sponsor the Digital Learning Award at the 2025 CDN College Awards, recognising creativity, innovation and excellence in technology-enhanced learning across Scotland’s colleges. Through the CDN College Awards, we have the opportunity to showcase the outstanding work in digital learning being done across the sector and to share these innovative approaches with colleges across Scotland and beyond.

This year’s shortlisted projects come from, in alphabetical order, Dumfries and Galloway College, Glasgow Clyde College and UHI Moray, and show how technology can improve outcomes, increase inclusivity and inspire learners. Each project demonstrates creative thinking, collaboration and a sustainable approach to digital education.

Jason Miles-Campbell, Jisc’s director of Scotland and Northern Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to celebrate these outstanding projects, which show how Scotland’s colleges are using technology in creative ways to support learners, staff, society and the economy.

“Each of this year’s initiatives addresses different challenges, from widening participation in tech, to modernising vocational assessment, to upskilling carers with essential digital skills. They all demonstrate how technology can transform learning and make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Congratulations to the shortlisted projects. Your work inspires others to innovate, collaborate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in education.”

These projects highlight the power of technology to make learning more inclusive, effective and future-ready. They serve as examples for colleges across Scotland and beyond, of what can be achieved when creativity and digital innovation come together.

Dumfries and Galloway College: transforming vocational assessments

Dumfries and Galloway College has modernised vocational education with a bespoke app built using Microsoft Power Apps fully integrated with Moodle. Learners can self-assess practical construction models, complete digital health and safety checks and produce method statements. Lecturers provide video-recorded feedback via iPads, creating an interactive, personalised learning experience that enhances engagement and autonomy.

The app’s principles - digital self-assessment, integrated theory testing and interactive feedback - can be transferred to other vocational areas from healthcare to business and engineering. Its flexible design demonstrates how digital innovation can transform assessment across multiple curricular areas.

Sustainability is ensured through continuous feedback, staff and learner training and a dedicated technical support team that maintains and updates the app. Collaboration across multiple departments and with external technology partners ensures the project meets diverse educational needs.

The app’s uniqueness lies in its combination of practical and theoretical assessment, modernised feedback mechanisms and remote verification capabilities. By replacing paper-based processes with a single digital platform, the college has created an efficient, learner-centred, future-ready assessment environment.

Glasgow Code Learning: bridging the digital divide

Glasgow Code Learning (GCL), a partnership between Glasgow Life and Glasgow Clyde College, aims to open doors to Scotland’s tech sector for learners traditionally excluded from digital careers. The programme reaches women, disabled learners, carers, refugees and those from low-income or ethnically diverse backgrounds, offering flexible modular courses in community spaces like libraries and college campuses.

Glasgow Clyde College plays a pivotal role in the design, delivery and accreditation of the Glasgow Code Learning programme. The college’s expert teaching staff have drawn on years of industry and educational experience to create an innovative, modular curriculum that blends theory with hands on practical. In class support is tailored to individual learner needs, ensuring that participants feel confident and empowered throughout their journey.

Modern resources, including dedicated coding labs and access to professional platforms like Cisco Networking Academy, provide learners with an authentic industry experience. Lecturers employ creative, inclusive teaching methods such as project-based learning, collaborative problem solving and real-world simulations to make complex concepts accessible and engaging. This commitment to excellence is transforming lives in local communities, equipping underrepresented groups with the digital skills and confidence to secure meaningful employment and contribute to Scotland’s growing tech sector.

GCL’s model is highly adaptable. Its modular structure, micro-credentials and wraparound support can be transferred to other areas including healthcare, business and green energy. The mentoring and device provision approach can also support adult returners, ESOL learners and other underrepresented groups.

Sustainability is embedded through alignment with The Scottish Government’s ‘No One Left Behind’ strategy, city funding, college resources and philanthropic support. The programme’s move into paid industry placements ensures a long-term employment pipeline.

Collaboration is central to GCL. Glasgow Life proactively work in partnership with organisations including other employability service providers, to co-design referral routes and GCL digital skills provision to target those who meet the criteria for No-One Left Behind. These partners include the King’s Trust, International Women’s Group, Skills Development Scotland, JP Morgan and Jobs and Business Glasgow. Internal collaboration between lecturers, library staff and student services ensures cohesive delivery.

What makes GCL unique is its focus on social equity alongside digital skills. Its human-centred, trauma-informed approach, paired with community-based delivery and measurable outcomes, sets a new standard for inclusive tech education.

UHI Moray: digital essentials for carers

The Digital Essentials for Carers course (SCQF Level 6) was launched in 2024 by UHI Moray in partnership with the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre. It addresses the urgent need to upskill paid and unpaid carers, many of whom face barriers to formal education.

Delivered via four self-contained micro-credential units, the course features videos, quizzes, case studies and one-to-one support. It develops digital skills and confidence aligned with the NHS Digital Skills Framework. Learners earn a digital badge on completion and are supported to progress to higher-level study. This creative curriculum design demonstrates effective use of digital learning.

The course is highly adaptable. Its modular structure can be applied across healthcare, digital literacy and green energy programmes. Online delivery ensures flexibility particularly for carers in remote or rural areas.

Sustainability is built in through institutional backing, continuous evaluation, credit-based funding and partnerships with organisations such as Quarriers and Moray Carers. Collaboration with carers, digital service providers and third-sector organisations ensures the course remains relevant and practical.

What makes this course unique is its dual focus on competence and confidence. It empowers carers personally and professionally, offering a flexible, learner-centred model that is scalable and replicable across other sectors.

Inspiring change across colleges

These three projects demonstrate how creativity, collaboration and digital innovation can transform learning. They make education more inclusive, engaging and sustainable.

From bridging the digital divide to modernising vocational assessment to upskilling carers, these initiatives set a benchmark for colleges across Scotland. They show how bold ideas and technology can change lives, one learner at a time.

Good luck to the shortlisted projects. The winner will be announced at the CDN College Awards 2025 celebration ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday 4 December 2025.

For more inspiring stories from colleges, take a look at our member stories.