PRESS INFORMATION ISSUED ON BEHALF OF:
The eLearning Network
34 Albury Ride, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 8XF
tel 01992 634244; www.elearningnetwork.org
25 May
2006
Record attendance at the eLearning Network's 'Members' Showcase'
A 'Members' Showcase' event, arranged by the eLearning Network (eLN),
the UK's leading professional association for users and developers of
e-learning, attracted a record number of over 100 delegates.
The Showcase, held at the Kensington Hilton Hotel in London in May,
offered delegates a choice of 12 presentations in two streams, covering
key issues in e-learning. The topics covered were:
What is
e-learning best practice? A panel session involving Nige Howarth, Alex
Welsh and Steve Mackenzie discussing the current state of e-learning
best practice.
A case
study from Information Transfer. Owen Rose explained how Priory Group
implemented e-learning as part of a blended learning initiative.
Knowledge
Workers or Knowledge Warriors? Fabrizio Cardinali, of Giunti
Interactive Labs, discussed the need for new learning content
management technologies.
Rapid
e-learning. Mike Alcock and Tony Reddington, of Atlantic Link, showed
how technology can swing the development balance from technical
implementation to learning design.
A new
instructional design model. Neil Lasher, of Trainer1, outlined his
'Four 'As'' model of instructional design.
Why
e-learning hasn't grown up. John O'Connor, of John O'Connor Consulting,
explained why e-learning has many faces but lacks identity.
Learning
Management Systems Surgery. Vaughan Waller conducted a masterclass,
discussing the arguments in favour of learning management systems -
from the managers' and the learners' perspectives.
The eight
'ps' of e. Phil Green, of Optimum Learning, offered his thoughts on how
to deliver successful e-learning.
Emerging
tools. Ron Edwards, of Ambient Performance, outlined how emerging tools
such as podcasting, wikis, blogs, mobile and game technologies are
being used for learning today.
Borrowing
from the marketing professionals. Robin Hoyle, of EBC, suggested how to
use marketing theory and practice to build learner loyalty for
e-learning materials.
Workshop
on graphic design for e-learning. Sam Morgan explored the issues
surrounding the design of the graphical user interface (GUI) for
e-learning materials.
The
Skills for Business Network. Laura Overton outlined the key points in
her groundbreaking report, 'Linking Learning to Business'.
"According to the research and consultancy specialists Learning Light,
the market for corporate learning materials in Europe is currently
estimated to be worth some $893m and this is expected to reach $2.1bn
by 2007," commented the eLN's chairman, Vaughan Waller. "This suggests
that the e-learning market is enjoying a period of growth - and that
was borne out by the record attendance at our May conference."
At the event, Optimum Learning's Phil Green examined the design and
technology aspects of e-learning to build acceptance and use. Among his
recommendations were: at the outset agree a process for analysing the
project's 'success' (in terms of meeting business goals as well as the
appropriate use of design and development tools, along with the
project's implementation strategy); adhere to best practice principles
of design (Green proposed the 'prepare, engage, present, practice,
encourage and review' (PEPPER) model), and embrace the 'pizzazz' that
new delivery technologies make possible, thus encouraging the learners
to engage with the learning material through the delivery technology.
His fellow presenter, Neil Lasher, of Trainer1, outlined a new model
for instructional design (ID) _ the 'Four 'As' of Learning' - which
relates to ID for the up-coming techniques of task-based and workflow
e-learning.
In general, delegates pronounced themselves well satisfied with both
the content of the conference and the opportunities to 'network' and
meet other users, buyers and developers of e-learning materials.
One delegate - Mark Rodgers, managing director of the Dublin-based
Cipherion Translations, said: "This has been a very worthwhile day.
I've learnt some things about the key issues facing the e-learning
world - and the new trends in the sector, including new delivery
technologies.
"It's also been immensely useful to meet most of the industry's key
players - brought together under one roof through the eLN.
About the eLearning Network
Formed – as The Association for Computer Based Training (TACT) in 1987 – the eLearning Network (ELN), which adopted this title in 2000, is the UK’s foremost professional association
of users and developers of all forms of e-learning. It is a non-profit making body that exists to promote information and best practice among all those who are involved in the e-learning world, as well as act as a networking medium for its members.
Its elected chairman is Vaughan Waller, who is a well-known speaker and writer on e-learning issues. He runs his own consultancy, called Technologies for Business and Learning.
For more information about the ELN and ELN events, call 01992 634244 or visit
www.elearningnetwork.org
Further information from:
Vaughan Waller, the eLearning Network, 01992 634244
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405
