We are\u00a0delighted to announce that the University has\u00a0won the Digital Innovation category of the Guardian University Awards 2020.<\/p>\n
This win is for our innovative and highly acclaimed\u00a0One Hour Degree<\/a>.<\/p>\n Launched in 2019, One Hour Degree is an\u00a0online simulation game\u00a0designed to provide the complete\u00a0university experience\u00a0for those contemplating taking the three-year academic route. Created by the University\u2019s\u00a0Student Success Team<\/a>, it enables prospective students to take an immersive series of \u201cquests\u201d designed to give\u00a0authentic insight\u00a0into the university experience,\u00a0all within one hour. Players are able to choose to participate via either Kent\u2019s\u00a0Canterbury<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Medway<\/a>\u00a0campuses.<\/p>\n The One Hour Degree was developed in collaboration with\u00a0a number of specialists across the University. The game was written and developed by\u00a0Alison Webb, Systems Development Manager in the\u00a0Student Success Team. To date it has been played over 7,000 times by players in 124 countries.<\/p>\n Professor Richard Reece<\/a>, Kent\u2019s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience said: \u2018This is fantastic news and many congratulations to all those involved with this truly innovative project. The global reach of the game has been phenomenal and its impact truly beneficial to both current and prospective students at Kent.\u2019<\/p>\n Alison Webb said: \u2018Not only was this a fantastic collaborative effort between many colleagues and departments, but it also highlighted the importance of speaking to students and gaining their insights on specific university experiences. We also had the benefit of a\u00a0work-study student<\/a>\u00a0to really bring this to life. The analytics prove the game has been played far and wide and student feedback has been incredibly positive.\u2019<\/p>\n The Guardian described the game as one that \u2018introduces key concepts, terminology, locations and processes to new students before they arrive, while images of the campus helps those who have been unable to attend an open day.<\/p>\n \u2018An easy-to-read narrative takes players through five \u201cquests\u201d covering welcome week, the first assignment, first-year exams, year two and year three, offering choices between hundreds of different scenarios.<\/p>\n \u2018Badges are awarded for each completed quest, while knowledge and happiness points reward choices that take full advantage of the education and networking opportunities available. Together these dictate the classification of the degree players receive at the end.\u2019<\/p>\n Kent was also runner up in the Widening Access and Outreach category of the Guardian Awards. This was for the first degree-level apprenticeship in economics. This project was led by\u00a0Digital and Lifelong Learning<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0School of Economics<\/a>, alongside the Government Economic Service (GES).<\/p>\n