Portland College, ILT Learning Centre, Mansfield, Nottingham

Technology

Information Learning Technology is a great enabler for people with physical disabilities and the Learning Centre boasts state-of-the-art Information Technology equipment providing the optimal accessibility to learning for disabled people. A sophisticated Information Learning Technology infrastructure provides the latest hardware and software to support a diversity of learning opportunities from pre-entry level sensory experiences to vendor Information Technology qualifications at level 3.

The Learning Centre provides first class facilities for the delivery of a variety of Information Communication Technology based programmes specifically designed to equip learners with the necessary skills to progress competitively and successfully into the workplace. A key consideration in the design process has been optimal flexibility and responsiveness to enable the College to keep up-to-date with industrial standards and the needs of employers.

The training environments will accommodate the Information Communication Technology (CISCO qualifications; CompTIA A+; CompTIA N+; Microsoft Windows 2000 Network and Operating System; Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server; MCP Microsoft Windows XP 7270; MCP Windows 2003 Server 7290) and Computer Aided Design (2-D levels 2 and 3; 3-D level 3, Inventor Professional 3D) curriculum areas.

For the first time, the Information Communication Technology Programme area will take control of its own independent network separate from the main college network. This new approach to learning will give the students the opportunity to work on live and simulated work activities in networking, troubleshooting of applications and e-mail services on a live SME network. The CAD programme area will also have an additional area devoted to live work and students will be able to carry out designated design requests from local businesses to give them the experience they need in preparation for the workplace.

Adding Value

Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)

Portland College has been at the forefront of developments in AAC and associated Adaptive and Assistive Technologies for many years, supporting learners to harness technology in order to communicate effectively using unique Information Communication Technology based solutions. The Learning Centre provides a fabulous base for this high quality work to continue. The College has been active in a range of Research and Development in the AAC/AAT field and is committed to spearheading future developments for the benefit of our next generation of learners. There are many opportunities to develop this aspect of our provision within a Regional Centre of Excellence for people with disabilities and the Learning Centre will provide the 'Shop Window' to enable our practitioners to engage effectively with providers in the region. In addition to working with the AAC users themselves, the facilities in the Learning Centre will enable seminars and courses to be delivered to other providers, therapists, parents and carers.

An ILT suite fully equipped with the latest adaptive and assistive technologies and specialist software affording optimal access for learners with very complex physical disabilities.

Thus, the space allocated for this purpose in the Learning Centre will be an invaluable resource, the specialist equipment will allow Therapists to work hand in hand with our students, their tutors and their carers to ensure that they are able to maximise their learning opportunities at Portland College as well as in the future. In addition to the benefits for Portland learners, it is envisaged that this facility will be popular with therapists and their clients in the community and the region. The use of this space will be optimised for the benefit of the learners and also in future developments and collaborative practices.