A Birmingham college has teamed up with an IT giant to pilot a new way of learning using mobile technology.
Birmingham Metropolitan College has joined forces with IBM to trial a new scheme where students will be able to access learning materials on demand at any time, from any place, using “cloud” computing technology.
From September, students will no longer need to be in the same classroom as their teachers to follow lessons.
College principal Christine Braddock said the move heralded a “smarter way of working” and would allow the college to move into new domestic and international markets.
Dr Julie Nugent, who is leading the project, said: “We recognise that today’s students have much greater access to technology – the increasing growth of social media and use of mobile devices has transformed the way we live our lives.
“Education doesn’t have to just react to these changes but should lead the way in showing students the possibilities technology can provide them with.”
The scheme is Birmingham Metropolitan College’s latest move into new technology.
In December, the college revealed it was teaming up with companies including Samsung, Caterpillar BCP, BMW and BSkyB for a new entrepreneurial academy for 16 to 18-year-olds in Worcestershire.
The partnership, which also includes Kidderminster College, will provide education and training for up to 1,000 teenage and adult learners with the aim of getting them into employment.
It will be based in the historic Piano Building in Kidderminster, which will undergo a £6.1 million refurbishment before opening in September.
Birmingham Metropolitan College has invested £10 million in the academy, which will also house a Samsung Experience Academy where students will be trained in the use and development of digital technologies.
The programmes are designed to help students gain the technical know-how and professionally-recognised qualifications to work in the technology industries.
