eLearning IOSH Merseyside

2nd June 2009

Dr Gary Mason

Contents • The start of my journey (1994)• Challenges• First attempts !!• Technological changes• eLearning production • eLearning demo• Blended learning• Cost benefits and flexibility• Questions?

Where did my journey start?• Team of 5 trainers in a business of 20,000

people in the UK 50,000 Worldwide (call centres and engineering)

• 30+ courses• Course administrators fighting an uphill battle

!!• 25% churn of employees in call centres• Not all delegates turning up !! (fines)• Reprographics dept in hiding !• For DSE training only just keeping up with

churn !!• Induction …. What induction !!

What did I do?• Assessed what was available in

1994 (not much at all – very clipart based and ‘page turning’)

• Questioned the effectiveness of eLearning compared to Instructor Led Training

• Designed an eLearning course !!

What were the challenges? • What do I build it with?

– Macromedia Authorware• What do I put in it?

– An adapted Instructor led training course• How do I distribute it?

– Executable files on a networked server– Single file at first (4Mb) …. Then in small chunks

(100k)• How do I keep records?

– Access database (limitations with scale)• Did it work?

– Sort of !!• Bandwidth problems• Server speed• Plug ins• I had to deal with IT Managers, ‘the brand police’ !!

– Don’t go clogging up my network !!– You can’t use our logo like that !!

It looked like this !!

Technological changes

Networks

Broadband !!

Broadband penetration

Household internet

Source – Office for National Statistics

Web based databases

Fast, affordable and powerful PCs

Production processeLearning production can be compared

with the production of a small film– concept and review– educational specification and review– storyboard and review– alpha version and review– beta version and review – final version– testing– release

Storyboarding

Educational Specification

Completed page

Branch eLearning demo• Click Here

• User ID: 29086 • Password: merseyside

Available until 30th June 2009

SCORM• eLearning courses may need to be

SCORM objects (Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model)

• Can be used in SCORM compliant learning management systems (LMS)

• Standardisation of course outputs– Incomplete, started, complete, test scores

Log on to Learning !!Tracey ConnageDeputy Director of HR and Diversity Brent Council “…. In fact eLearning can transform

organisational development in rather the same way that the internet has transformed ordinary social relations and I believe that it is an approach that can no longer be ignored ….”

People Management February 2007

Blended LearningThe combination of multiple approaches to learning. For example:- self-paced, collaborative or inquiry-based study. Blended learning can be accomplished through the use of 'blended' virtual and physical resources. Examples include combinations of technology-based materials, face-to-face sessions, audio-conferencing, ‘webinars’ on-line ‘chat’ and printed materials.

Instructor led training content

Structure and consistency

Audio-conferencing and chat

What if the items are heavy or bulky?

Up to 9 callers at once for no cost !

Webinars

IOSH webinar example - Webex

Cost benefits• Instructor led training

– Venue use or hire– Trainer costs

• Wait for a ‘full’ course before delivery– PC / projector / OHP etc..– delegates travel cost– Delegates – time out from production

• Can everyone be released at once

• eLearning– Delegate time (can be interrupted)– A web connected PC (anywhere)– Module licence cost

Flexibility benefits• Particularly for induction ….

Latest Development – IOSH Working Safely

Summary• Technology is here• eLearning can:

– Deliver much of your training– Release you to concentrate on the

management system and strategy– Improve assessment and record keeping

• Reduce costs• Increased flexibility

– Training at the right time !

Questions?

gary.mason@praxis42.com

07957 804427

www.praxis42.com