Learning Light
Second Floor, Gladstone Building,
1 St James Row, Sheffield, S1 2EU
Tel +44 (0)114 223 2442; Web www.learninglight.com
13th March 2008
Learning Light proves that professional communities' collaboration
brings benefits
Nine companies in the digital industries sector are now meeting their
business goals as well as growing their reputation for providing high
quality products and services as a result of joining a professional
community network organised by Learning Light, a non-profit
organisation which focuses on integrating systems and aligning learning
and people development programmes to meet strategic business goals.
Learning Light (LL)'s David Patterson commented: "One of LL's most
recent successes through its professional community network has been to
induce a number of e-learning companies to explore opportunities to
collaborate formally, as a professional community of interest,
exploring new ideas and technologies in the field of e-learning.
"This professional community sprang from a brief meeting - arranged by
LL - of companies potentially interested in collaborating in this way.
LL fostered and encouraged the community to grow and work ever closer
together - and the results of this collaboration are now becoming
evident," he said.
The nine companies, all of which are based in Yorkshire, are I am
learning, m-learning.mobi, Idigicon, Engage revision, Hocapito, Xoolon,
Green Mountain Innovation and Blink. Their specialist skills include
learning content development and publishing, mobile learning, the
development of social networks, mobile learning technologies and the
use of RFID technologies.
"Working together and sharing ideas have really helped these
businesses," said Patterson. "The collaboration has allowed companies
to exchange ideas, use each other's skills and knowledge, along with
enjoying the benefits of the framework of support provided by Learning
Light."
Michael Wilkinson, managing director of both m-learning.mobi and I am
learning, based in Doncaster, explained: "Following a successful
launch, I am learning is being used by a wide range of schools across
the country and has recently begun supplying its first school in
Australia - with content now spanning key stages 2 to 4 across the
curriculum.
"I am learning has also secured a reseller agreement and integration
with the Learning Platform 'Talmos' (named in BECTA's Top Ten), and
presently working towards integration with a variety of other Learning
Platform providers."
"As far as m-learning.mobi is concerned, we have now secured a reseller
which has built m-learning.mobi into its standard package. To this end,
we are entering into a shared 'brand' called GAIST M-Learning.
"In a similar vein, we have been included into the first phase of the
Steljes mobile learning offering in partnership with Vodafone. In
addition, we have forged a partnership with Intel, embedding the Intel
Skoool mobile learning resources within the m-learning.mobi platform
with a shared brand to advocate best practice in mobile learning.
"In addition to helping with these opportunities, LL has played a part
in facilitating a number of partnerships within the professional
community network - notably with Chris Cudworth of Engage revision and
Martin Spence of Xoolon," he added.
"All of these collaborations through the professional community network
are beginning to pay dividends for the network's members," commented
LL's Patterson. "It shows what can happen when organisations in the
same industry and in the same part of the world collaborate, rather
than spend all their time competing with each other.
"This collaboration not only brings benefits for the firms but it also
brings benefits for their customers - who then, among other things,
have access to products which have greater functionality."
End
Notes for Editors
About Learning Light Ltd
Learning Light is a non-profit organisation that builds relationships
between learning technology researchers, suppliers, buyers and learners
providing learner-centric information to encourage the growth of
learning technologies. By sharing comprehensive research, highlighting
successes and failures, Learning Light helps to promote the learning
technologies community.
Learning Light provides bespoke and individual services to help both
buyers and suppliers of learning technologies (e-Learning). Its current
services include:
Research Services
Providing access to expert insights, advice and guidance built on
indepth research. Helping organisations to effectively implement
learning technologies (e-Learning) and integrate them within their
workflow processes.
Membership Services
Partnering with leading thinkers in the industry and providing a
network for all interested in the field to share information,
knowledge, insight, experience and expertise, through utilising online
community tools, networking events, conferences and guru seminars.
Professional Services
Our highly experienced team offers organisations access to range of
competitively priced consultancy services supporting buyers with the
effective implementation of their learning technology (e-Learning)
requirements. And, for suppliers, helping to provide a range of
services to assist market awareness and generate growth.
In addition, Learning Light provides a comprehensive Professional
Development programme to help Learning & Development professionals
understand the significance of learning technologies in the workplace
today and how to effectively implement them within the workflow
processes of their organisation.
Sheffield-based Learning Light is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the
regional development agency for Yorkshire, and the Humber and Objective
1 South Yorkshire.
Further information from:
Mark
Pittaway/ Kay Simpson, Learning Light, 0114 201 5703
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405
www.learninglight.com
