|
Broadband Boosts UK Learning
Broadband helps bring learning to life outside of the classroom
Education is seeing significant benefits through broadband technology. Learning is no longer restricted to the classroom but can be carried out in a virtual environment where students, irrespective of age or class, can access experts and information from across the world.
With fast access to rich multimedia content, broadband brings learning to life through interactive education that can be performed remotely to complement classroom learning.
Broadband has made effective remote or home-based learning a reality for those excluded from the classroom through illness, geographical location or due to behavioural issues. Equally, it has opened up opportunities for extended learning to support classroom work and for mature students who wish to further their education but need or want the convenience of studying at home, as and when it suits them.
Leading the way in online learning, The BT Learning Centre, (www.btlearningcentre.com), gives pupils of all ages the chance to continue learning online at home, whilst supporting the curriculum followed at school. Alongside RM�s Living Library, currently used in schools by over 3.5 million children, the service also provides more than 100 subject specific titles from the UK�s leading educational content providers.
For just £3.99 a month pupils can improve key skills and save time whilst researching projects. Custom-built user interfaces, specific to different age groups, have been developed for the service to ensure that the relevant level of detail is included, and the style and language is appropriate regardless of whether users are four or forty. Older students and adults are catered for with a wealth of materials for �A� Level and beyond via �Amazing Grades� and through other focussed materials, such as The European Computer Driving Licence and Microsoft Office training modules, from just £2 per subject per month.
Jennie Martin, head of The BT Learning Centre said: �The potential for broadband-enabled learning is immense. Home-based learning is now interactive and at the users� own pace, which could well be more successful for many learners than a classroom environment where people may feel stigmatised, distracted or just takes place at the wrong time of the day for their needs.
�We designed The BT Learning Centre to be very much linked to the curriculum to support, encourage and enhance UK learning among children and young people. We are also working with some of the best content providers to ensure that users have access to first-class resources and a wealth of interactive content that makes learning enjoyable rather than a chore.�
Another servicecompany helping to realise the potential of home-based learning through broadband is Vu2media Limited,. Vu2media is a thea UK�s leading provider of live, online education to Local Education Authorities (LEAs). Vu2media�s solution, called Vu2educate, uses the latest web-casting and bBroadband technologies to broadcast enabling the live, interactive web casting of lessons. These are broadcast delivered online by specialist teachers.where sStudentsteachers. Students can watch and participate in them remotely andbut in real-time. Any questions theyat students may have can be communicatede-mailed to the tutor who will respond to them accordingly. As well as GCSE curriculum based learning the Vu2media solutionis can easily be extended to further levels of education and specialised subjects.
Peter Burrows, chief executive of Vu2 Media, said: �The introduction of live, online educational programmes, such asVu2educate, offers an essential lifeline to groups previously excluded or isolated from mainstream education. The iInnovative use of bBroadband and the latest web-casting technologies means that high quality live education can now be delivered anytime, anywhere.�
Channels such as Vu2media are a boon for students who are unable to participate in classroom-based learning. Remote broadband learning provides an essential lifeline to groups previously excluded from education and can focus and enhance the learning experience considerably. Lessons that are currently delivered to 20 children could potentially be delivered to thousands, enabling worldwide access to teachers who excel in delivering their subject.�
Broadband-enabled online learning activities are designed to be informative and inspiring and are often more engaging than textbook education. For example, they may include interactive learning through audio and video, which injects more fun into the learning process. Enhanced educational activities such as these increase the appeal and success of learning outside of the classroom as an extension of, as well as a substitute for, the curriculum.
Caroline Waters, director of People Networks, BT Group, said: �Education is one of the main areas where broadband is having an impact. It enables access to some of the best content, teaching methods, knowledge and expertise from across the globe. What we are seeing now is only the beginning of the way in which broadband is set to transform education over the coming decades.�
Ends
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
Notes to Editors
The BT Learning Centre
Please ensure that The BT Learning Centre is always used with the prefix �BT�.
The new design of The BT Learning Centre has been created by Lyons Marketing.
Content providers
Partners of The BT Learning centre include RM plc, the leading supplier of ICT software, services and systems to schools, colleges and universities in the UK, Granada Learning, the UK�s leading publisher of curriculum-based multimedia resources and supplier to more than 95 per cent of the schools in the UK and Northern Ireland, in addition to Letts Educational, the UK�s market leader in the study and revision sector and part of the Granada Learning group. Also providing content are 4Learning, a division of 4Ventures Ltd and subsidiary of Channel 4 Television Corporation, Actis, producers of some of the best education websites, including the National Year of Reading and Maths Year 2000 (both nominated for prizes at BETT, with Maths Year 2000 winning in 2000 and 2001), Netmedia Education, specialists in providing learning environments and educationally sound, localised content development services for LEAs and schools. Further content providers include infant specialists The Big Bus, language specialists Doki, revision specialists Amazing Grades and adult learning courses from Mindleaders.
The BT Learning Centre is available to all online homes, whatever ISP or bandwidth they use, including narrowband customers.
About BT Group plc
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses providing voice and data services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe�s leading providers of telecommunications services. Its principal activities include local, national and international telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
� BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including BT Openworld, one of the UK�s leading ISPs.
� BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK, including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits, frame relay and ISDN connections.
� BT Global Services, BT�s managed services and solutions provider, serving multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is the top 10,000 global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact, an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking technologies. It is also BT�s research, technology and IT operations business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT�s turnover was £18,727m.with profit before taxation of £1,829m.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
INDUSTRIES
Activate Email 
Find Solutions for Enterprises, SMBs & Service Providers at the INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO East, January 20-22, 2010. Miami, FL.
