A Million Ways to Learn

Pictured: Steve Munby, Knowsley's Director of Education and Lifelong Learning Department is seen here (right) at the launch of the Learning Place together with Karen Leyland, teacher from Halsnead Primary School (far left) and Jo-Anne Simon-Redman, Knowsley's Intranet Co-ordinator for Education.

Pupils are now able to study electronically anywhere in the borough including their own home rather than just in the classroom. Known as the Knowsley Learning Place, the new way to teach and learn - a virtual school - was launched at Whiston and Prescot City Learning Centre (CLC), a centre of excellence throughout the country.

Knowsley has developed the technology to link libraries, learning centres, businesses, specialist schools and home computers into schoolwork allowing greater flexibility for the 27,000 Knowsley pupils to choose where they learn. Teachers are able to use videos and interactive games to engage pupils and bring lessons to life and in turn pupils will gain a greater understanding while learning in a fun and more appropriate way in today's modern world.

The Government has recently announced a five year programme to put the national curriculum on-line. Knowsley believes that its pupils should have access to a wealth of digital resources now which builds upon the borough's reputation of having the most advanced school IT system in the country.

Knowsley has one of the largest public IT suites in the country in Huyton which is complemented by over 150 other sites across the borough which offer free public access to computers. Coupled with the many learning centres and a scheme to provide computers at home, this enables a more flexible approach to learning and one which it is hoped will improve the enjoyment of learning and the grades as a result.

Steve Munby, Knowsley’s Director of Education and Lifelong Learning Department, commented: “Knowsley has invested heavily in ICT in schools - indeed we have three times the number of computers than the national average and e-mail facilities for all our pupils and teachers. This will be complemented by this new, exciting and engaging learning resource - the Learning Place.”