The 'Hubs' - SOLSTICE in Partnership

The SOLSTICE ‘Hubs’ were established in 2006 with the intention of extending the SOLSTICE model and influence by creating similar flexible learning environments within Further Education colleges to Edge Hill University’s FE partners.

SOLSTICE, in collaboration with Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network (LLN) , funded the development of three ‘Hubs’ at Knowsley Community College, Riverside College and Wirral Metropolitan College.

The funding enabled each college to develop a flexible learning space of its own with new multimedia and wireless technology equipment. The LLN funding enabled the appointment of a SOLSTICE Associate Fellow to link each hub with the SOLSTICE Centre at Edge Hill University. The Associate Fellows also provide a focus for dissemination, seminars and workshops on technology-enhanced learning within their respective colleges.

SOLSTICE Hubs: enhancing the student experience

Feedback from each of the Colleges and independent evaluators concludes that the presence of SOLSTICE Hubs with their technology-rich learning spaces and Associate Fellows have made a positive impact on FE learners’ experience.

A key benefit of the connection to SOLSTICE is the access that FE colleagues have to the wide range of free SOLSTICE professional development seminars and workshops which run throughout the academic year. Recent topics have ranged from ‘Active Learning through Digital Storytelling’, ‘Transition in HE and Learners’ Experiences of Technologies’ to ‘The Student Digital Slam’.

Chris Adamson, Jo Martin, , Di Broughton The SOLSTICE Hubs Associate Fellows with Gary Mallon, GM & WL LLN Manager

Last updated: 20-Nov-2009