E-learning is learning that uses electronic information and communication technologies such as the world wide web.

E-learning has enormous potential to deliver to many more people in places not accessible to traditional learning. E-learning is environmentally friendly and can provide new ways of learning that do not involve somebody standing over you.

Good e-learning needs support whether on or off line. All our materials need support either in the form of elearning management platforms or personal on-site support or mentoring. It is a lot to expect anybody to follow through each programme totally on their own.

We provide varied electronic learning activities and games to help people reinforce their understanding of certain complex issues - .eg. the difference between ‘environmental impacts’, ‘ work aspects’ and work activities.

We include quizzes to help learners check how well they are doing. With support, they can also be used as a source of discussion about the issues they raise.

However the most interactive element is the use the hyperlinks. This simple device opens up all sorts of worlds that connect with the learning subject. Work and the Environment connect with a multitude of social, economic and technical issues, where there are no ‘right or wrong’ opinions. Participants are guided through our hyperlinks to relevant sites on the world wide web, in order for them to draw their own conclusions. We know people enjoy surfing, so we provide a route, along which they can stop off wherever they like, but at the end are confident they have taken in all relevant aspects.

There is a lot to do to realise the potential of elearning. It is not sufficient to throw hard copy text onto a screen. Nor is it an inexpensive way of delivering successful learning. There needs to be effective support at all levels from inside the organisation through to national commitment.

The UK government considers a strategy for e-learning is necessary and state ȁyou cannot achieve the real potential of e-learning until most people are using it”. To explore how this can be done, there are 7 areas of consultation.

1. · Helping education leaders tackle the funding models that restrict innovation
2. · Supporting people who want to be innovative in the way they teach
3. · Giving teachers and lecturers career incentives and training for e-learning
4. · Giving learners better e-learning support for meeting their personal learning goals
5. · Making assessment a driver of innovation
6. · Building a better market for quality assured e-learning resources
7. · Working out the technical standards that should be adopted for e-learning.

If you wish to join the debate, go to Government Consultation Exercise on Elearning (open till late Jan 2004) http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations2/16/

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