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Hertfordshire Grid for Learning connects 572 educational sites to e-learning resources with GBP5.5 million network
(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Students and teachers at 572 educational sites across Hertfordshire are getting faster, more reliable access to online teaching and learning resources thanks to a GBP5.5 million upgrade to the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning (HGfL).
The high speed network provided by ntl:Telewest Business, part of the Virgin Media Group, enables 178,000 students to access a range of e-learning services to help them when studying in the classroom or at home. This includes access to primary and secondary educational content such as interactive exam revision applications (SAM Learning), the RM Living Library and the British Pathe Archive which contains 3,500 hours of digitised newsreel for use during lessons.
The HGfL, which was established and supported as part of the Government's National Grid for Learning strategy, is a private network joining all of Hertfordshire's maintained schools, education support centres, residential children's homes and youth programme units. It provides a safe and secure internet and email environment to support teaching, learning and school management.
Recognising that technology is now vital to the day-to-day running of the area's schools, HGfL worked with ntl:Telewest Business to upgrade the network infrastructure and roll out increased bandwidth to primary, middle and secondary schools. Bandwidth at primary and middle schools is 2 Megabits-per-second (Mbps), while secondary schools now all have 10 Mbps links. Comprehensive web filtering technology ensures that users have an appropriate, productive, and safe online experience.
"We live in a digital age and fast, effective networking technologies and e-learning tools have shot up the agenda for schools and colleges nationwide," said Dave Mansfield, Technical Infrastructure Manager at Hertfordshire County Council. "Having a high-speed infrastructure in place that supports virtual learning environments, secure email, and finance and human resources systems is no longer just an added extra for schools, but pivotal to the efficient and effective running of institutions. We've worked with ntl:Telewest Business for a decade and the company's collaborative approach and made it the natural choice for the upgrade." The network facilitates access to the East of England Broadband Network (E2BN), one of 10 Regional Broadband Consortia set up by the Government to help raise standards in teaching and learning with the use of broadband technology. This supports collaboration and creative learning with applications such as Myths and Legends, an online storytelling resource, and Cookit, an online recipe application. Schools' central finance and human resource systems and secure email services are also run over the Wide Area Network (WAN), enabling staff to retrieve information as and when it is required.
To ensure a reliable and resilient service, the county's schools also benefit from a dedicated managed service desk and monitoring facilities. Any issues can be identified and solved as soon as possible so that any service disruption is minimised.
"Using interactive applications and e-learning tools is a fantastic way to encourage collaboration and engage with the digital generation," said John Maund, public sector sales manager for the south, ntl:Telewest Business. "HGfL is a shining example of how to provide a secure, high speed internet environment for education. By working closely with HGfL, we've ensured that children across the county have access to a creative, innovative learning experience."
About ntl:Telewest Business
ntl:Telewest Business has the most technically advanced of the UK's two national networks. Its vast nation-wide Next Generation Network provides businesses, public sector organisations and service providers across the UK with a complete portfolio of advanced data, internet and voice services. The GBP13billion network is flexible, scaleable and is already built out to more than 38,000 street cabinets across the UK.
As part of a commitment to deliver superior customer service, ntl:Telewest Business sales and support teams are located in close proximity to its customers in over 40 centres across the UK.
ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide critical communications to high profile customers including: Birmingham City Council, Yorkshire Water and EasyJet.
To subscribe to our press releases please visit: www.ntltelewestbusiness.co.uk/feeds
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