A £2.6m project that uses computer technology to free up teachers' time will be launched in the North-East today. The Object Warehouse for Learning (OWL) project involves a number of colleges and universities in the region, with support from regional development agency One NorthEast. It works by acting as a "virtual warehouse" for teaching material that tutors can access at any time, rather than having to prepare material themselves for every lesson. The project aims to free up teachers' time so that it can be concentrated on the classroom. Chris Roberts, regional director of the Learning and Skills Council in the North-East, said: "The LSC is extremely supportive of the OWL initiative and commends the North-East colleges and universities on their collaborative approach. "This innovative programme has already generated national interest and looks set to be replicated across the country with potentially thousands of academic staff and learners benefiting." The partnership has brought together Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland universities with further education colleges in Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, and Tynemouth. Each college involved has been given £200,000 to spend on new equipment, the upgrade of existing computer software or to improve online security and connectivity. This has enabled IT facilities within the colleges to be brought more in line with those enjoyed by their university counterparts. Representatives from each college will then learn how to use the software so they can disseminate the information back to other teachers. Project manager Doreen Shannon said: "I am thrilled that this pioneering project offers academic staff in our region a unique teaching opportunity. "The facility gives access to new material and allows sharing of existing electronic resources to improve the learning environment for students in further and higher education across the partnership. "By combining the strengths and expertise of staff in all nine partner institutions, the OWL Project will provide a diverse range of quality materials to enrich the learning experience in colleges and universities in Tyne and Wear." Phil Hughes, One NorthEast board member, added: "When students enter the workforce, they need excellent computer skills, as ICT plays a vital role within today's high-tech business world. "The OWL project provides not only a very useful method of sharing ideas and teaching methods but also gives students the hands-on experience of different IT packages needed to build their IT abilities." | 
Northumberland
