Video: Have a look at how the new £65,000 investment at Banbury and Bicester College will help pupils

Facilities such as virtual reality, 3D printing and drones will be available
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A £65,000 investment has been ploughed into facilities such as virtual reality, 3D printing and drones at Banbury and Bicester College.

The money has been spent on the college's old library space, which it now calls its 'learning environment'.

The new space now has new book shelving, new seating and furniture, collaboration booths and tables.

The money has been spent on the college's old library space, which it now calls its 'learning environment'.The money has been spent on the college's old library space, which it now calls its 'learning environment'.
The money has been spent on the college's old library space, which it now calls its 'learning environment'.

This includes 47 computer workstations, an increase from 36, in which staff can book for use with their classes or students can use for independent and group study.

There is now a space for students and staff to experiment with technology enhanced learning (TEL), such as VR, 3D printing and drones.

Marc Challans, learning environment's team leader for digital education environments at Banbury and Bicester College and across the Activate Learning group, said: “The launch event was an enormous success and really showcased what we in digital education services want to achieve with the learning environments.

Students were curious and excited by the possibilities of the technology on show and it’s this curiosity and excitement we want to harness and develop, both in staff and students, with the aim of further embedding technology enhanced learning and digital literacy into the college consciousness.”

Digital education development staff will also available to consult and aid staff with online course design for remote and classroom learning for Banbury and Bicester College’s virtual learning environment, Activate Learning Online.

Earlier this week, local businesses were invited to the launch event at Banbury and Bicester College which showcased the new learning environment.

Ste Butcher, director at local business, Renderheads, said: “As the co-owner of an established software development company, over the past decade we have continually had to change how we learn to stay on the cutting edge of what is a daily evolving digital industry.

“It is wonderful to see a local educational facility embracing the need to shift and evolve how the next generation of talent gain not just a grounding in established thinking, but also how they can be inspired to dig deeper into subjects through exposure to new technologies.”

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