Dozens of Keighley college students have been given hand-held computers to help with their studies.

The “smartphones” will enable apprentices and their assessors to communicate even when the students are off-site.

Students can also use the computers, known as PDAs, to gather video and photographic evidence for coursework.

They can connect remotely with Park Lane College Keighley’s virtual learning portal “moodle”.

The PDAs are funded through a Government grant to the college, which was this month renamed Keighley Campus Leeds City College.

Becta, an agency that encourages effective and innovative use of technology for learning, last year awarded the college Developing Provider status. This brought money for several eLearning projects, including one to enable remote access to learning for apprenticeship students.

Keighley firm Link Telecom has delivered 100 PDAs to the Keighley campus, and provided data connectivity free of charge.

The project was welcomed by Gaynor Lowe, the college’s operations manager for apprenticeships and employment initiatives at the college.

She said: “These mobile devices will prove incredibly useful in enabling our students to keep in close contact with their mentors and assessors — even when working away from college facilities.

“The future of cutting-edge teaching and learning lies in new technology such as this, and we hope that this project in Keighley will typify the type of 21st- century teaching aid endorsed by the new Leeds City College.”

Gary Fawcett, chief executive of Link Telecom, said his firm was committed to working with schools and colleges across the region.

He said: “One of our key objectives remains to assist in the development of our workforce of the future – young people who have a major role to play in ensuring that our region competes effectively.”