Solving CPD Challenges: Solihull College Integrates HOW2s into Quality Cycle

TeachingHOW2s today announced its partnership with Solihull College and University Centre, integrating the HOW2 platform into the college’s Learning Walks process, a crucial part of its CPD quality cycle. This integration is designed to enhance professional development for Solihull’s 400 practitioners by creating a seamless link between the HOW2 platform’s ​‘organisational sets’ and the college’s specific Learning Walk criteria.

These organisational sets, a unique feature of the HOW2 platform, allow educators to organise teaching techniques into sets tailored to their specific TLA (Teaching, Learning, and Assessment) requirements, whether for subjects, departments, or professional learning goals. With the guidance of their assigned quality coaches, educators will have the opportunity to implement and test evidence-based teaching (EBT) techniques in their classrooms, labs, or workspaces. The effectiveness of these techniques will be evaluated in subsequent Learning Walks.

The college is set to leverage the HOW2 platform’s unique social learning features to actively develop a collaborative learning environment for its educators. The platform facilitates this by promoting the sharing and discussion of techniques being explored and allowing educators to pursue techniques that spark their interest. Quality coaches will use the HOW2 platform’s ​‘nudge’ feature to introduce relevant techniques and sets of techniques to the practitioners they are coaching. This personalised approach, enabled by the platform, will further enhance the initiative’s overall impact.

As a leader in FE Research through the founding of the Research College Group, Solihull College prioritises a culture of exploration and experimentation for practitioners. This ethos is central to their commitment to continuous improvement. The HOW2 platform aligns perfectly with this initiative by offering a comprehensive collection of over 160 EBT techniques.

The HOW2 platform, chosen for its proven ability to deliver, is expected to result in:

• Targeted professional development opportunities based on individual needs.

• Increased exploration and implementation of new EBT techniques.

• Measurable progress observed during subsequent Learning Walks.

• A collaborative and supportive learning environment for all staff.

Solihull College and University Centre, a leading institution in the heart of the West Midlands, is renowned for its exceptional provision in a wide range of disciplines including engineering, health and social care, business, and the creative arts. With key campuses in Solihull Town Centre, Blossomfield, Woodlands, and Stratford-upon-Avon, the college offers state-of-the-art facilities to support over 8,000 students annually. The Stratford-upon-Avon campus, added through a recent merger, has seen substantial investment to enhance its offerings. The college boasts strong links with local industry, providing students with invaluable work placements and apprenticeship opportunities, particularly in the automotive and aerospace sectors. This synergy with industry ensures that graduates are well-equipped with the skills and experience required to excel in their chosen careers.

The HOW2 Teacher Development Platform empowers educators to lead their own professional learning and collaborate to strengthen their practice. This platform provides systematic, on-demand expertise in evidence-based teaching (EBT) for every educator, offering scalable support that builds teaching and learning capacity across institutions — eliminating the costs and inconvenience of traditional workshops.

Available anytime, from any device, the HOW2 visual guides are presented in formats such as infographics and click-through presentation screens. These guides are designed for quick learning and easy adaptation in classrooms, labs, or workspaces, accelerating the application of high-impact practices that increase student engagement and enhance learning outcomes.

The HOW2 platform’s new AI Assistant, fully integrated with its 160 visual guides, offers real-time, tailored support that helps educators adapt and apply teaching techniques to specific subject areas and lesson topics. It also provides customisable suggestions for incorporating advanced areas like EdTech, employability skills, and online teaching.

Used by a diverse range of educational institutions in the UK, the US, and Canada, the HOW2 platform translates teaching practices into results-driven, evidence-based outcomes.