Epic and OLC join forces to deliver further education

PRESS RELEASE
Issued: February 23, 2001

Epic has teamed up with the Open Learning Company* to deliver learning modules for the government-backed National Learning Network.

The NLN provides learning for further education students at colleges around the UK. Epic** and OLC have been commissioned to provide online versions of modules in Health Studies (Levels 1, 2 and 3) and Business Studies (Levels 1 and 2) plus Generic Science (Level 1).

In total some 40 hours of learning will be provided via PCs based in colleges' 'open learning pools'. A small prototype will be available this year with a rollout to the network by Spring 2002.

The online modules will allow students to learn on their own or with tutor support. 'Offline tasks' will also be set for students to carry out - such as further reading, research and practical tasks.

Epic will bring its expertise in learning objects methodology to the content. This means course material will be broken into small, reusable components that can be used in any order, 'recycled' for other subjects or even allow tutors to copy parts of the course onto their own web servers.

The contract builds on Epic's dominance of e-learning for the education sector. As well as the further education audience it is also responsible for building the UK's portal for higher education - called HERO - and carries out work for the University for Industry.

[Back to top]