We’re thrilled to introduce you to the BTC Backpack, a suite of modules to raise your knowledge and skills on the core apps you’ll use during your time with us. These will equip you not just for college life, but for your next adventure – whether the workplace or higher education. The modules are filled with quick training programmes as well as knowledge checks to build your confidence and understanding in using our core apps as a student. Altogether, this will enable you to hit the ground running.

Where can I find the BTC Backpack?

The Backpack is located on our ‘Digital Hub for Students’ SharePoint pages here (login with your BTC credentials). You will find posters around our campuses with a QR code that leads you there and if you are provided an iPad, you will find it placed prominently on your home screen.

The module topics

Digital Safety Net

In yours or any journey into digital, Online Safety is where it all begins. Whether you think you know all about online safety, or if you’re a beginner to it, we all need to pay attention to current and emerging threats in our digital world. This module will raise your awareness to some overall concepts and more topical trends.

Building Digital Capabilities

The next step is to discover your strengths in digital and build on your capabilities, so we have provided you with the Building Digital Capabilities Service (BDCS). BDCS helps you to understand your current capabilities and confidence with digital, by allowing you to discover your strengths and areas for development. This is achieved by completing an anonymised self-assessment, which produces you a personalised report and useful next steps on how to improve any and all of the areas covered.

The report also provides free online resources to help you build your capabilities based on your personal scores. You are able to retake the self-assessment at any time to generate a new report and easily compare results, which is a great chance for reflection and growth.

ProPortal

ProPortal is an integrated platform designed specifically for educational institutions like ours. This comprehensive app allows you to access your timetables, check attendance records, and receive important notifications from tutors and college administration. With ProPortal, you can track your progress, manage deadlines, and stay informed about all the essential information related to your course(s). It’s your one-stop hub for academic management, helping you stay organised and focused on the go.

Microsoft Outlook

Stay on top of your schedule with ease. Manage your emails, appointments, and deadlines all in one place. With Outlook, you’ll never miss an important event or communication, keeping your college life running smoothly.

Century AI

Explore personalised learning like never before with Century Tech! Tailored to your unique learning style, Century Tech offers a personalised learning experience that adapts to your strengths and challenges. It’s like having a dedicated tutor, guiding you towards academic excellence at your own pace.

Microsoft OneDrive

Worried about losing important files or carrying around bulky storage devices? Say goodbye to those worries with OneDrive, your personal cloud storage solution. Access your files securely from any device, anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re on campus or studying from the comfort of your own home, OneDrive ensures your documents are just a click away.

Microsoft OneNote

Say hello to your digital notebook: OneNote! No more juggling notebooks and loose papers. With OneNote, you can capture all your lecture notes, research findings, and study materials in one organised place. Easily search, highlight, and annotate your notes, and even attach multimedia content to enhance your learning experience. OneNote takes your notetaking to a whole new level!

Microsoft Teams

Collaboration made easy, even when you’re miles apart! Microsoft Teams is your go-to app for seamless teamwork and communication. Join virtual classrooms, hold group discussions, and work on projects together. With features like chat, video conferencing, and file sharing, collaboration has never been this effortless. Connect, engage, and thrive with Microsoft Teams!

What do our students say about the BTC Backpack?

We asked our group of Student Digital Ambassadors to evaluate the Backpack while keeping knowledge and abilities of all students in mind – this is what they said.

Student evaluation (100% agreed or strongly agreed)

1. I learned something new about 1 or more of the core apps, through engagement with the Backpack learning materials available.
2. The Backpack will help students to be more effective during their time at BTC, through engagement with the learning materials available.
3. The Backpack will help students to be more effective in their next steps after BTC (education/workplace), through engagement with the learning materials available.

The apps which were selected are very useful to students as it helps them to engage in their learning more effectively.

Was overall very good and teaches you the key skills of each app very well.