London (UK), July 2008 - City University in London has upgraded its data network to support high bandwidth eLearning technologies such as video podcasts of lectures. The University selected ntl:Telewest Business to replace its WAN with a high-speed metro Ethernet VPN network, which connects its main building and central campus at Northampton Square in Clerkenwell to ten remote sites, including Cass Business School, City Community and Health Sciences, and The City Law School.
The network will be used by some 15,000 students and 2,500 staff, enabling applications at the central campus to be accessed from remote sites. The bandwidth upgrade is part of a five-year strategy by the University to develop its information services and ramp up eLearning opportunities for students.
Technologies being deployed across the network include the course-management system WebCT (Course Tools) and CitySpace, a virtual learning environment that gives students access to online course materials, resources, interactive activities, and assessment and communications tools.
Lectures, live events, and additional video and audio learning content can also be streamed over the network. Carl Stokes, director of IT operations and infrastructure at City University, said the University has seen a 35 percent increase in the use of eLearning technologies over the last year.
He said in a statement: "In order to support this service and deploy further innovative technologies to enhance the way our students learn, we required sufficient resilient bandwidth over which to run applications."
