This exciting project is the keystone of the Essex e-Learning Foundation’s ‘Anytime Anywhere Learning’ project, supported by Essex County Council, which could see Essex become the first wireless-enabled County. The initial phase will use wireless connectivity and 200,000 Intel® Centrino® mobile technology-based devices to revolutionise the learning experience by electronically delivering the curriculum to, students and life long learners to aid research, homework and assignments, and facilitate teachers’ lesson planning. It is anticipated that the initiative will develop to offer every school in the County the opportunity to wirelessly connect and then extend this coverage to the whole of Essex to aid residents and businesses to work collaboratively.
Through various partnerships this initiative will enable schools to explore ways of providing each pupil with the opportunity to use an Intel® Centrino® mobile technology-based notebook, providing 24x7 access to free online content and placing ICT (information and communication technology) at the heart of the learning experience. A feasibility study for Anytime Anywhere Learning also anticipates significant cost savings through elimination of cabling costs, generation of profit from community training and productivity gains that will save time for teachers and pupils alike.
Essex e-Learning Foundation selected Intel® Centrino® mobile technology-based notebook PCs because of the connectivity made easy and longer battery life that enables pupils and lifelong learners to work continually for a full morning or afternoon session without recharging. The breakthrough mobile performance delivered by the Intel® Centrino® mobile technology-based laptops also allows pupils and teachers to take advantage of the latest video, audio and detailed graphics applications. The foundation opted specifically for Intel® Centrino® mobile technology-based notebook PCs as they are light and compact, making them ideal for schoolchildren to carry.
“The Anytime Anywhere Learning project is the ideal platform for Essex to differentiate itself from other UK counties in terms of education delivery and attainment,” said Julie Bain at Essex e-Learning Foundation. “However, it’s the scope and potential that is really visionary about this initiative. This is a chance to create learning communities, where the entire County can reap the benefits of high-speed anytime, anywhere wireless Internet access.”
Intel Corporation and the Essex e-Learning Foundation worked together to form a feasibility assessment, with Intel advising on the best practice for key aspects of the technology. The initial roll-out of wireless connectivity and devices begins in 2004, and will continue over the next three years. The second phase in 2005 hopes to cluster institutions using wireless broadband to establish better relations between schools and increase the use of shared resources. The ultimate vision of the project is to create a fully wireless community in Essex by 2007 that will allow easy access to ICT, share information across the County, eliminate the isolation of social groups, improve business processes and increase economic development.
“Ultimately, it is hoped that the work of the Essex e-Learning Foundation will contribute to providing ‘work, live, learn and play’ choice for citizens and businesses, which will improve the County’s quality of life and economic development,” continued Bain.
“By embarking on this technology roadmap, Essex schools have the potential to become a trail-blazer for ICT usage in academia throughout the UK,” said Rick Skett, Director, Intel UK and Ireland. “Intel is proud to deliver the power and flexibility offered by Intel® Centrino® mobile technology and our consultancy expertise to help make the County a leader in education delivery not just in the UK, but worldwide. The benefits reaped in educational attainment will be substantial in terms of revolutionising the learning experience and generating financial gains that can be reinvested back into the community.”
Intel® Centrino® mobile technology is benefiting schools and learning institutions worldwide through its breakthrough mobile performance, enabled extended battery life and integrated wireless LAN in a sleek, easy to carry notebook PC. Learning institutions in the UK that utilise Intel® Centrino® mobile technology to enhance the education experience include the flagship Bexley Business Academy in Thamesmead, London Borough of Bexley. Worldwide, Intel® Centrino® mobile technology is promoted as part of e-learning and electronic curriculum delivery by academic bodies such as Japan’s National Federation of University Co-operative Associations (NFUCA), the Portuguese Government’s Electronic University and Nuevo Leon’s Division of Labor and Human Development in Mexico.
About Intel Corporation
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