Mobile Learning

Need to find an extra 196 working hours a year? Mobilise!

More effective working hours and greater team efficiency are both factors pushing more employers towards mobilising their workforce. Mobile phones, 'smartphones', PDAs, Blackberries and other devices are all changing the way in which we work and, inevitably, the ways in which we communicate and learn.

Wikis

Are 2.0 heads better than 1.0?

People are at the centre of the success of the wiki. Wikis grow with the enthusiasm of their contributors. Whatever the shape of your organisation, wikis are here to stay, improving communication and creating opportunities for discussion.

Rapid E-learning

Learning that's catching up with business

There are lots of descriptions of 'rapid' e-learning out in the marketplace, with a popular one being 'delivery in three weeks'. But ultimately rapid e-learning has to be more if it's going to be effective. Yes it's about delivering as quickly as possible, but it also has to deliver the business results you want.

Flash Create

Building on success

Building on the success of over 20 different e-learning projects already developed with Flash Create since its launch in October, the next phase of exciting enhancements for Epic’s in-house development environment is gathering momentum.

Latest Research

Two new surveys on e-learning

A recent survey from the Skills for Business Network reports that 45% can quickly put into practice what they learn from e-learning, and are able to use the learning points in the workplace. Meanwhile, respondents to the upcoming CIPD 2007 Learning and Development Survey (an annual event nowadays) look set to say once again that they think e-learning is ‘the least effective’ method of organisational learning. ‘Are we at a point where e-learning is close to overtaking classroom training,’ asks Howard Hills, attempting to square this apparent contradiction, ‘or are there some other issues at play?’

Blackboard's LMS

Patent application starts to falter

The challenge against Blackboard’s wide ranging set of e-learning patents is rapidly gaining momentum. In the one corner we have a major LMS vendor looking to protect its position in a changing market; in the other corner we have the combined strength of the Open Source and Education communities who want the freedom to develop and innovate. We review the past month’s activity in a case that has major implications for the entire e-learning industry.

Consultant’s Corner

Leitch Report lays out the UK skills challenge

The Leitch report challenges employers to voluntarily ramp up training by 2010 or face regulations to enforce training to a minimum of Level 2 (five GCSEs, grade A-C). Lord Leitch published his long-awaited Review of Skills last December. He had been commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills “to examine the UK’s optimal skills mix in order to maximise economic growth, productivity and social justice”. The Chancellor also subsequently requested the Review to discuss how best to integrate employment and skills services. How could this affect our approach? We asked one of our senior Consultants to take an objective view.

Case Study

UK Passport Service - Passport Examiner

This blended learning programme was delivered to all new examiners with responsibility for processing new and renewal UK passports. The blend of tutor-led sessions supported by e-learning addressed all aspects of the role: legislation, procedures, use of forms and data input into the system.

E-learning in the Making

An Epic photoshoot for the Army

The biggest in Epic's history some people have said. And big it certainly was. It took place over four days, in numerous locations and used over forty actors.

I found Epic to be extremely knowledgeable in all areas of learning and not just e-learning.  Their business proposals quickly got into the mindset of the military partners and delivered the correct solution, not what the Army thought it needed.  Throughout all stages of the development process, Epic provided accurate, on time releases and worked very closely alongside the Army to ensure our tight time deadlines were met and that the quality fitted into our own high quality standards.  The blended learning consultancy and courseware development is superb and I fully recommend Epic as a learning partner.

Major Chris Edwards,
Directorate of Individual Training (Army)’s Training Advisory Group