A group of students were on the same “wavelength” as their tutor this week, as learning became a new experience for them.

In a floating classroom – a cabin cruiser – they navigated part of the Erne system to study the ecology of the area around Enniskillen as part of their new environmental course.

The pilot scheme was launched by Fermanagh College this week as part of Adult Learners Week.

The College is hoping to tap into the county’s famous lakeside attractions in a novel attempt to attract more adults back into learning.

Their classroom is a large cruiser which will make journeys through some of the best scenery in the region.

Tutor, Pat McQuaid, explained that the course, ‘An Introduction to Environment’, would run over five weeks during which time the students would study the ecology and wildlife aspects of the lake system and take water samples for further investigation in the laboratory in the college, but primarily to learn the essential key skills such as numeracy and literacy.

Pictured are Brian Rousse (left) principal of Fermanagh College, with tutor Patrick McQuiad and students David Woods, James Owens and April Armstong, leaving on the cruiser for the course, ‘An Introduction to the Environment’.