HOW2 Supports CDN’s National Pilot to Enhance Teaching Practice in Scotland’s Colleges

TeachingHOW2s is excited to announce its partnership with CDN on the launch of Elevate LT, a funded professional learning programme designed to support and enhance teaching practice across Scotland’s colleges. The programme will run throughout the 2025 – 26 academic year.

Elevate LT is a three-stage pilot programme designed to benefit teaching staff from colleges across Scotland. It offers a practical, evidence-based approach to embedding transformative teaching techniques, supported by the TeachingHOW2s Platform and its integrated AI Assistant, which provides real-time, tailored support to help educators quickly adapt these techniques to their specific subject, lesson topic, and teaching setting.

The aim is to support staff in creating positive, engaging learning environments where both learners and practitioners can thrive. The programme actively encourages collaborative professional learning and development through peer-supported activities. A series of practical workshops positioning professional standards within everyday practice will also build the confidence and competence of college lecturers in delivering positive learner outcomes through pedagogy.

Damian Rollinson, Director of Partnerships, TeachingHOW2s, said: ​“TeachingHOW2s has already worked closely with Scottish colleges to embed evidence-based teaching and foster professional learning cultures — most notably at Dumfries and Galloway College, where the HOW2 Platform played a central role in reshaping the college’s approach to learning and teaching.

At Dumfries and Galloway College, our partnership has supported not only improvements in teaching practice, but a broader cultural shift — one rooted in inquiry, reflection, and collaboration. Elevate LT is an exciting opportunity to extend that kind of impact across the Scottish college sector, and we’re delighted to be working with CDN to support practitioners in embedding evidence-based teaching into everyday practice — through the collaborative, scalable approach enabled by the HOW2 Platform.”

Victoria Underwood, Director of Operations and Strategic Planning at CDN, said: ​“High-quality learning and teaching is the bedrock of colleges, and CDN is committed to helping lecturers and practitioners enhance their practice and deliver for their students. The Elevate LT pilot creates space for practitioners to collaborate and invest in enhanced, evidence-based approaches to teaching supported by innovative technology and AI. We’re delighted to be partnering with TeachingHOW2s to launch this exciting new programme tailored specifically for learning and teaching staff across Scotland’s colleges.”

Each participating college will form an Elevate LT group made up of one or two Advanced Practitioners (APs) and a small number of teaching staff who are keen to enhance their practice.

The programme is delivered in three stages:

• Stage 1: Ignite and Initiate (Aug – Sept 2025)
  Colleges establish Elevate LT groups, with APs supporting participants as they begin exploring new teaching strategies.
  
  

• Stage 2: Engage and Empower (Sept 2025 – Jan 2026)
  Staff take part in structured training, including peer observations, coaching, and guided use of the TeachingHOW2s Platform.
  
  

• Stage 3: Reflect and Refine (Jan – June 2026)
  Participants reflect on the impact of their new techniques, with opportunities to share learning and shape future practice.

Throughout the year, participants will take part in a range of CDN-led and/or facilitated online training sessions, peer learning activities, and coaching conversations, all supported by practical tools to build sustainable, long-term improvement. Advanced Practitioners will also connect through a national Advanced Practitioners Collective to share learning and address challenges.

There is no cost to take part in Elevate LT, but places are limited and a strong commitment is essential. To ensure fair access across the sector, all college HR and Organisational Development (OD) teams have been contacted and will coordinate the application process.

If you are interested in participating, please get in touch with your college’s HR or OD team. Each participating college will nominate staff to form an Elevate LT group — this will include one or two Advanced Practitioners (APs) and a small number of teaching staff who are keen to enhance their practice.

If you are part of an HR or OD team and require further support, please contact Paula Christie, Head of Delivery and Engagement at CDN, at paula.​christie@​cdn.​ac.​uk.

CDN looks forward to working in partnership with colleges across Scotland to champion teaching excellence and help shape the future of learning and teaching.

TeachingHOW2s is driving innovation in CPD for educators across Further Education, Higher Education, schools, and workplace training. Its digital platform offers a practical, evidence-based approach to embedding transformative teaching techniques, supported by its integrated AI Assistant, which provides real-time, tailored support to help educators quickly adapt strategies to their own classrooms.

Alongside this, its collaborative tools encourage professional dialogue and peer-to-peer learning, helping educators share best practice and build collective expertise. HOW2 makes CPD an everyday, scalable, and sustainable practice — supporting staff in creating engaging, effective learning environments where both learners and practitioners can thrive.