This week’s blog is by John Rafferty, Vice and Deputy Principal at Glasgow Clyde College.  Colleges Scotland is marking the diversity and variety of the work that Scotland's 24 colleges do with our new blog series, 24 in 2024.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, digital creativity has emerged as a vital skill for both students and lecturers.  For Scottish colleges, harnessing and developing digital creativity is not just a trend - it's a transformative approach to education that equips learners with the tools needed to thrive in a digitally driven world.  By integrating creative digital practices into their curricula, Scottish colleges can avoid training a generation of young people for obsolete job roles, and instead put them in the vanguard of the newly emerging digital professions.

The Rise of Digital Creativity in Education

Digital creativity encompasses the use of technology to create, communicate, and innovate.  In educational contexts, it ranges from multimedia production and graphic design to coding, digital storytelling and of course AI.  This trend reflects the broader shift towards creative industries and the increasing demand for digital skills across almost every sector.  For Scottish colleges, embracing digital creativity is about more than teaching students how to use the latest software; it's about nurturing a mindset that values creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving – the meta-skills that all of us have been working hard to inculcate in our students.

Glasgow Clyde College: A Hub for Digital Innovation

Glasgow Clyde College exemplifies how many Scottish colleges are leading the way in integrating digital creativity into their educational offerings.  

Firstly, we recently hosted an excellent conference in AI for Educators using the AI interface Teachermatic to help upskill lecturers in using digital tools to reduce workload.   After all, how can we develop innovation in our learners if we don’t first enthuse our staff?

Secondly, the college has developed a reputation for its forward-thinking approach within its creative industries courses which include degrees awarded in partnership with UWS.  By offering courses in areas such as animation, web development, digital marketing, and user experience design. we emphasize the importance of creativity in technology - ensuring that graduates are not only technically proficient but also capable of thinking creatively to solve complex problems.

Most exciting of all, Glasgow Clyde College has been working with five other colleges in the Greater Glasgow area to found the College Local Innovation Centre (CLIC) using the FE Innovation Fund.  This has enabled all six partner colleges (Glasgow Clyde, Glasgow Kelvin, City of Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, New College Lanarkshire and West College Scotland)  to be proactive in responding to the needs of employers.  Colleges offer consultancy and upskilling interventions, with each picking an innovation theme that plays to its particular strengths.  

Glasgow Clyde College’s chosen role is to act as as the Centre for Digital Creativity, working with the others to support up to 200 businesses across the West of Scotland.  This work includes conducting innovation audits and connecting businesses to transformative training opportunities at Scottish colleges and universities.   

Digital Creativity Beyond the Classroom

The impact of digital creativity at Glasgow Clyde College extends beyond the classroom of course.  The college frequently collaborates with industry partners on projects that allow students to apply their skills in real-world settings. For instance, students in the Digital Media course have worked on live briefs provided by local businesses, producing promotional content that meets professional standards.  

We are also especially proud of our use of digital innovation in our Marketing function.  A recent PR campaign offered parents ‘A Masterclass in Taylor Swift’.  This one PR activation exploited viral social media coverage to earn a staggering potential readership of 2 billion worldwide, driving tens of thousands of applicants to our website and costing our marketing department a modest £200.  

The Future of Digital Creativity in Scottish Colleges

As digital technology continues to advance, the role of digital creativity in education will only grow in importance. Scottish colleges are very well-positioned to lead this evolution, with institutions like Glasgow Clyde College and collaborative projects like CLIC, showing what colleges can bring to the Scottish economy.  Digital creativity is not just a skill set; it is a mindset that encourages exploration, experimentation, and innovation and Scottish colleges are at the forefront of this educational transformation, ensuring that their students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.