Selby College Computing & Digital Newsletter Spring 2025
Department Newsletter
Spring 2025 / selby.ac.uk
Dear [student name],
Dear student,
Greetings from Selby College’s Computing and Digital Industries Department!
I’m Rob Charlish, Head of Computing & Digital Industries, and I’d like to give you a warm welcome as you prepare to join us this September!
You’re about to start an exciting journey in one of the fastest-growing and most innovative industries out there. Whether you’re passionate about coding, cybersecurity, game design or digital sustainability, our courses will equip you with the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to thrive in the digital world.
We believe learning is hands-on. For instance, our students recently worked with British Taekwondo to design a brand-new digital grading system, developing professional-level software used in real sporting events. These industry projects give you invaluable experience, helping you build a standout portfolio before you even finish your course.
Whether you’re aiming for a career in tech, a university place, or to start your own digital venture, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Get ready for an exciting, future-focused year ahead—we can’t wait to see what you’ll create!
See you soon and good luck with your exams!
Rob Charlish Head of Computing & Digital Industries
Computing & Digital Industries Department Makes Sustainability Headlines!
Our Computing & Digital Industries Department has been making waves in the world of sustainable digital practices, recently earning a feature in Jisc’s digital newsletter. The article highlighted the department’s dedication to embedding sustainability into computing education, equipping students with the skills to design and implement efficient, secureand responsible digital systems.
From our range of courses, our students are able to gain hands-on experience in areas such as cloud computing, data optimisation and cybersecurity— which are all crucial in reducing digital waste and improving energy efficiency.
“Our commitment to digital sustainability in the Computing and Digital Industries curriculum has grown significantly. We now challenge students with real-world applications, from calculating the College’s daily carbon footprint to creating sustainable games in our Game Jam, fostering a deeper understanding of this critical issue.”
Rob Charlish Head of Computing & Digital Industries at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
Selby College turns 40!
This year we are celebrating 40 years of Selby College. Since it opened its doors in 1984, the College has provided high-quality education to learners of all ages and walks of life across our community.
Our curriculum also places a strong emphasis on secure software development, ensuring that future professionals are prepared to build resilient and long-lasting digital solutions that minimise resource consumption while maintaining performance.
By working closely with industry partners, we ensure that our students are not only technically proficient but also ready to tackle real-world sustainability challenges in the digital sector.
Hear from our Students
Elousie
“My ultimate goal is to get a job in Cybersecurity in the future, as I’ve always wanted to work in Computer Science or something technology-based. My biggest take-away from College has been independent learning and skills such as essay writing that have prepared me for university. I also got lots of support from my tutors, especially in form groups, as well as in my one-to-one meetings.”
Computer Science student Eloise, who has now progressed on to study Computer Science at the University of Lancaster
Tomas
“I chose this course as it’s a growing subject and there’s lot to learn. It made sense to stay on at Selby College as it is a very engaging course and both the students and tutors are really nice.”
After completing his course, Tomas progressed onto the BSc (Hons) Applied Computing at Selby College.
Beck
“There are so many different avenues which you can go down with the course. My time at Selby College has allowed me to explore my creative side and discover my passion for character 3D modelling.”
Bug in the System:
The term computer bug originated in 1947 when engineers found a real moth stuck in a relay inside the Harvard Mark II computer. They removed it and logged it as the first official computer “debugging”!
Floppy but Mighty:
Beck progressed onto a BSc (Hons) in Applied Computing at Selby College, part of the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
Juliet
“I particularly liked the programming side of the course and found that it challenged me and pushed me to do my best. The level of support I received was great and there was always somewhere we could go and somebody I could speak to when I needed support. What I’ve learned about programming, assignments and essay-style writing will be invaluable in my degree.”
Juliet is now studying Computer Science at the University of York
The first floppy disks were 8 inches wide and could only hold 80 kilobytes of data – that’s less than a single modern email attachment!
A Game-Changing Start:
The first-ever video game, Tennis for Two, was created in 1958 and ran on an oscilloscope – a device normally used for measuring electrical signals!
Super Slow Internet:
The world’s first website went live in 1991, but most people had to use dial-up internet, which could take minutes just to load a single page!
Password Pioneers:
The first use of computer passwords was in the 1960s on MIT’s Compatible Time-Sharing System – but even back then, hackers were already trying to crack them!
Students on Exciting Challenge
Taekwondo
Students Take on Exciting Software Challenge with British Taekwondo
Our Computing & Digital Industries students recently put their skills to the test in an exciting real-world software development project with British Taekwondo!
Computing Digital Industries students recently put their skills to an exciting real-world software development Taekwondo!
Working closely with industry expert John, students were challenged to redesign the digital interface for British Taekwondo’s instructor grading system. Over several weeks, they gathered client requirements, developed project plans and designed a new system to help instructors efficiently grade students during belt assessments.
This hands-on project gave our students valuable experience in:
closely with industry expert John, students were challenged digital interface for British instructor grading system. Over designed a new system during assessments. gave our
+ Client communication and requirement gathering
+ Client and requirement gathering
+ Software system design
+ Software design
+ User interface development
+ User development
+ Project management
+ Project management
The collaboration showcased our students’ ability to take on real industry challenges, developing practical, user-friendly solutions for a professional client. A huge well done to everyone involved!
our students’ to take on real industry practical, user-friendly solutions client. A huge well done
What is Digital Sustainability?
Digital sustainability is all about using technology in a way that’s better for the planet. It means designing, using, and disposing of digital devices and services responsibly, so they have less impact on the environment and help create a greener future.
Here’s how digital sustainability works:
+ SAVING ENERGY – Tech companies are making energy-efficient gadgets and software to reduce power consumption. Smarter coding and greener data centres mean less wasted electricity.
+ CUTTING E-WASTE – Old phones, laptops, and other tech shouldn’t just end up in landfill. Companies are recycling and reusing materials to make new devices.
is all in a way It means using, and of digital devices so they have less impact on and help create a digital sustainability works: are making energy-efficient gadgets reduce power and greener data mean less wasted phones, and materials to make
+ BUILDING TECH THAT LASTS – Instead of upgrading every year, digital sustainability encourages repairable and upgradable devices, so we don’t throw away perfectly good tech.
THAT LASTS – of upgrading every year, digital sustainability encourages repairable devices, so don’t throw away perfectly tech.
+ ECO-FRIENDLY CLOUD COMPUTING – The internet runs on huge data centres that use a lot of energy. Companies are switching to renewable energy and smarter cooling systems to cut carbon emissions.
– The internet huge data that use a lot of are switching to renewable energy cooling systems cut carbon emissions.
+ GREEN SOFTWARE – Efficiently designed apps and programmes use less power, making devices run faster while being better for the environment.
apps programmes less power, making devices while being better for the environment.
+ SMART CITIES & IOT – Tech is being used in cities to save energy and reduce waste, like smart traffic lights that reduce congestion and energy use.
SMART CITIES & IOT Tech is being used in cities to save like smart traffic lights that congestion use.
+ DATA SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY – Keeping data safe doesn’t just protect privacy—it also prevents unnecessary energy use from cyberattacks and data breaches.
DATA SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY – Keeping data safe unnecessary use from and data breaches.
Big Tech Going Green
What is Tech Going
+ GOOGLE – Runs on 100% renewable energy, powering its servers with wind and solar power to reduce its carbon footprint.
+ APPLE – Uses recycled materials from old iPhones to make new ones, cutting down on waste and mining.
energy, powering its carbon footprint. make new ones, cutting down on and mining.
MICROSOFT – experimented with underwater data cooling and carbon
+ MICROSOFT – Has experimented with underwater data centres to use ocean water for cooling and aims to be carbon negative by 2030.
Tech is evolving fast, and sustainability is a huge part of it. Whether you’re studying computing, coding, or gaming, understanding digital sustainability will shape the future of the industry—and you could be part of it!
evolving fast, and sustainability a huge part of Whether you’re studying gaming, understanding digital future of could part of
