XMA helps North West Network City Learning Centre take to the road.

XMA have developed the complete 'anytime, anywhere learning' solution for a Birmingham City Learning Centre.

The North West Network City Learning Centre (CLC), based at Perry Barr in Birmingham, was funded through Excellence in Cities (EiC) to create two mobile units that could take ICT out to schools across the City and into rural areas, providing pupils with the latest technologies.

XMA was given the task of transforming a Citroen Relay long wheel base van. One of the main requirements was to make the van internet enabled and this was achieved through the installation of a self orienting satellite dish, fitted to the roof of the van and via a wireless bridge linking the van to the site.

XMA was given the task of transforming a Citroen Relay long wheel base van. One of the main requirements was to make the van internet enabled and this was achieved through the installation of a self orienting satellite dish, fitted to the roof of the van and via a wireless bridge linking the van to the site.

Ray Surridge, Manager of the North West Network City Learning Centre said: "The vans are self-contained ICT units, which are currently serving all secondary schools in Birmingham. The great thing about these units is that they can be used absolutely anywhere. Recently one was taken to Llangollen, Wales, to support Birmingham children on a field trip and even though they were in a rural area, they were still able to connect to the Internet.”

"The unit enables the children to use new technology to enhance their learning experience. One of the great benefits is that it allows them to use ICT where they wouldn't normally be able to.”

"We can take the vehicle into any school and quickly set up a completely flexible internet enabled classroom and we can also use it to support the students on field trips outside the City. I am sure that it is a resource that will be well used by our local schools."

The Birmingham CLC's mobile unit is one of a number that XMA have developed for various organisations throughout the UK and XMA's Susie Grayson believes that the advantages of mobile and flexible ICT solutions are being recognised by schools, colleges and universities.

"With the advent of wireless networks and satellite mobile units, ICT can be integrated into teaching and learning, wherever or however it takes place," said Susie. "The wonderful thing about the Birmingham mobile unit is that it is an example of how a shared resource can be developed to benefit thousands of children in schools across the City.”

"We have now developed a number of mobile units for clients up and down the country and we believe that our experience in this area of technology, combined with the back-up support we can offer, enables us to provide reliable, cost effective and high-tech solutions. With these mobile systems, 'anytime, anywhere learning' becomes a reality."