The solution proven to be in a class of its own

Thanks to a unique solution from XMA, the Cambridge Learning Bus is able to deliver a sophisticated, mobile learning environment to the city’s schools.

The Cambridge Learning Bus is a unique educational resource. As a roving bus that tours schools in the city, it enables children to experience learning away from the usual classroom environment. The effective use of technology to enrich lessons is a huge part of the scheme so it’s not surprising that the bus relies on a very unusual IT solution.

A specialist solution was needed because the idea of the Cambridge Learning Bus was to be enable youngsters to learn about topics that linked in with the curriculum but in a way that was creative, fun and, most importantly, mobile.

John Kett, a teacher and co-ordinator of the Cambridge Learning Bus, explains: “Some of these schools may be on estates on the outskirts of the city and they aren’t always able to take their pupils out on trips.

“Instead, we bring the resources to the school. We offer a learning experience that they don’t get anywhere else.”

However, making the bus a viable educational resource threw up specific challenges which had to be met before the scheme became reality. Consequently, at an early stage, the project’s trustees invited IT specialist XMA to help.

Kett says: “We asked XMA to help create a solution for us because we knew the company had a history of working with education partners. We needed someone who could liaise closely with us and with other stakeholders such as the coachbuilders from the outset.”

In order to meet the project’s need for mobility, XMA staff devised and provided a solution which gave the bus wireless broadband connectivity, via a satellite, to 15 laptops. The solution included all underlying infrastructures including servers and networking as well as an interactive whiteboard for use inside the bus.

As it was a sophisticated solution, the trustees also elected for the reassurance of knowing XMA would provide support either remotely, over the telephone or via a site visit from an engineer.

A flexible solution

Perhaps one of the most important factors required for the bus to succeed was the need for flexibility.

Kett says: “Of course, the satellite technology was vital because we needed to move about and, in some cases, we would be in some quite rural places. However, the laptops gave us flexibility as well because they can be easily transported.

“If we need to remove them from the bus for any reason, we can. The opportunity is there to take them into the schools and it’s especially useful as the wireless link still works even if they are away from the vehicle.”
 
According to Kett the interactive white board, which is attached to the bus’ ceiling, is an extremely flexible learning tool. He says: “If we need to demonstrate anything we can do so easily. We can make notes directly on the work we are showing the children. It’s great for topics like the one we did using specimens from the local botanical gardens.”

Total confidence

Reliability was another key reason the trustees opted to partner with XMA. Kett says: “During the summer, I write to the schools to say what’s available and they book a place for their pupils. The reliability of the solution is very important because if we can’t deliver then it’s very difficult to re-arrange sessions.

”We can’t say ‘oh, we’ll come back in three weeks’ because we will have moved onto another topic at another school. And, yes it’s a free service we offer but it’s still important to preserve our excellent reputation with the schools. Otherwise the project would quickly fail.”

Also required, according to Kett, is equipment that is up-to-date, functional and effective and being able to rely on XMA in the event of any problems gives them total confidence.

He says: “If there are ever any issues, the response from XMA and the time it takes to have a query resolved is always very swift.”

Since its creation three years ago, the Cambridge Learning Bus has become a familiar sight around the city and built itself an enviable reputation. Thanks to a unique solution from XMA, it also has the foundations in place to continue delivering a popular educational service for the city’s children.