Posts on E-Learning

From time to time we get asked to develop a bespoke learning management system for a training provider that wants to use e-learning to deliver compliance type training to multiple client organisations. Most of those training providers are already using an established off the shelf system - either Moodle or a commercial Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.

There are good reasons why it can make sense to develop a bespoke learning management system if you're a training provider that's got a Moodle based blended learning or e-learning solution. A well designed bespoke solution can be surprisingly cost effective; you get a solution that's a better fit with your existing business, it will make you more efficient and at the same time it can open up new commercial opportunities.

Here are six reasons why a bespoke learning management system could be right for you:

Do you want to create e-learning content from a traditional face-to-face or paper based course? Here are 5 ways to improve your e-learning content - they’re worth keeping in mind when you’re about to commission a supplier to create your content.

SkillsLogic have finished a new piece of bespoke e-learning content for Martek Medical in Rotherham. Martek sell defibrillators across a range of organisations - from schools to airlines. This particular content is aimed at airline cabin crews and it gives them a basic introduction to one of Martek’s standard defibrillators.

This post is a two minute SCORM primer for the absolute non-technical beginner. Read on if you're about to commission some bespoke e-learning content and you want to know a bit about SCORM and why it could be something you should add to your e-learning content.

Duolingo’s a free app for learning languages. There are versions available for the iOS and for Android and at the time of writing you can use it to learn French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

The FELTAG (Further Education Learning Technology Action Group) horizon scanning report looks at what the significant technology might be in the next 5 to 10 years in the vocational, education and training (VET) sector. MOOCs, social media, telepresence (remote working) and learning analytics all get a look in. It’s a good summary of the different technologies.

1. Two million students doing vocation based learning online with ‘Alison’

2. London University signs up 200,00 students for 4 online courses

3. US plans global network of online courses

4. Spocs - Moocs on a small scale

5. XuetangX, online education in China - edX selected to be platform for China’s largest online learning initiative

If you got a nasty tummy bug back in the Spring then there is a pretty good chance that it was caused by a bacteria called Campylobacter. In 2010 there were more than 700,000 cases in the UK and it costs the UK more than £600m a year - that's more than Salmonella, Listeria and E.Coli combined. Campylobacter kills around 200 people a year.

I've read a few things recently about Tin Can and it's got me thinking about what happens when new specifications like Tin Can begin to emerge and how you decide when or if to dive in and start developing bespoke e-learning that supports it.