A CROWD gathers to watch as a small robot covered in what resembles little bobbles of sponges, dances around the room.

There are gasps in awe as a large screen shows an animated monster recreating the exact actions of the tiny robot.

Chris Hughes, the man responsible for promoting the technology, grins and explains how the machinery is identical to that used to create the flying, hick-kicking fight scenes in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings' much-loved character Gollum.

The technology is installed in UCW's new Motion Analysis Research & Rehabilitation Centre (MARRC).

Motion sensors are stuck to key parts of the robot, or a human, and capture the body's movements in intricate detail, reproducing it on to a software system that is also being used by UCW to help golfers improve their swing and top cricket bowlers enhance their skills.

The technology is also used to analyse how sportsmen and women's movements end up injuring them and staff hope it will teach people to lift heavy goods properly to prevent them hurting themselves.

MARRC is just one of the many developments at UCW, which has ploughed £5m into creating classrooms to compliment today's technology-driven lifestyle.

UCW principal Professor David Green, said: "Our aim has been to create virtual learning environments for the future, and this latest technology will expand the opportunities available for both our students and staff.

"This modernisation process has combined the best of both worlds. It links information technology to traditional training methods and is part of our continuing goal of offering high quality education opportunities to all, throughout the region.

"I am impressed with the vision that UCW has shown in investing in this initiative.

"A state-of-the-art learning environment can help to support teaching and encourage learning, and will benefit both students and lecturers.

"What is more, by using e-tools such as communications networks, access to the internet and electronic learning materials, students are not just learning about their subject, but are simultaneously becoming skilled in the very technologies now in use in the modern world, making them even more employable once they graduate."

Specialist equipment for the students

A Wireless Network - The whole campus can now be a classroom, with a wireless network that enables students to log on to the web and work anywhere at any time - including the lawns and the cafs as well as the library and classrooms.

Video Conferencing - Large television screens beam out lectures given be specialist tutors at UCW's partner university in the USA. The technology means students can gain knowledge in areas that they may not have otherwise and it's fully interactive, with them being able to ask the lecturer questions.

n Learning without Limits - students can log onto computer systems to download lecture notes and go on chat sites to discuss subjects. Television screens are littered about the campus, playing live lectures and showing what the students are getting up to.

Digital Arts Centre - A sophisticated new facility that includes a studio where students can record music and radio broadcasts.

n Wired for the Future - UCW is currently developing the former city centre site of the Worcester Royal Infirmary into a new campus, with innovative, modern technology at the heart of the project, which will include a library for the general public.

Uni places are harder to obtain

Teenagers will find it more difficult to get into university this year amid increased competition for places, the head of the higher-education funding body warned.

Sir Howard Newby predicted better A-Level grades for sixth-formers and an increase in the number of 18-year-olds will add to competition for courses.

Other potential students may apply to university this year to try to get in before top-up tuition fees of £3,000 a year are introduced from 2006, he said.

£115m for languages

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has launched a £115m drive to improve language teaching in a bid to reverse the decline in French and German at school.

The extra money will be spent on recruiting another 6,000 specialist language teachers for primary schools and developing GCSE-level courses to make them more attractive to teenagers.

Schools will be offered £30,000 annual grants to become specialist language centres and they will be encouraged to run more teacher exchange programmes overseas.

Royal seal of approval

The Queen has stressed the importance of education to overcome conflict, inequality, poverty and the effect of natural disasters.

In her 2005 Commonwealth Day message she said: "I have often seen that when people are encouraged to develop their skills of writing and reasoning, they are well placed to contribute their ideas and energies towards building a better future.

"The key to unlocking human potential, and creating opportunity, is education."

'Ridiculous'

A school has been branded "ridiculous and extreme" by education campaigners after banning pupils from taking pencil cases into class in case they use them to hide sharp weapons.

St Anne's Primary School in Greater Manchester took the drastic action after a boy was cut with a letter opener by another pupil.

Paul Starkie, aged nine, suffered minor cuts to his chest and leg.