Shona Smart explains the benefits of offering online learning solutions
While some organisations in the third sector are already using learning technologies for staff training and development there are few who are realising their full benefits. With the right learning solution in place you can expect to increase impact, reduce cost and drive income.
As an account manager at eCom Scotland I have seen the benefits that a tailored learning solution can deliver. Taking learning online and delivering through a learning management system (LMS) provides better control over content and more rapid deployment, in addition to measurement of activity. A learning infrastructure can also help an organisation to maximise the value of their intellectual property, by sharing content with multiple audiences.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has recently introduced Learning Choices, a bespoke LMS with a series of accessible elearning courses. RNIB wanted to make their training more flexible and cost effective, as well as addressing the demand for time efficient training from their business clients.
Learning Choices delivers content to four audience groups: Public Academy – for those supporting a person with sight loss; Professional Academy – for third sector, health care, local authorities, education and employment sectors; Customer Academy – for financial services, retail, housing and utility providers to help tailor services to support people with sight loss; Internal Academy – for RNIB Group, Action for Blind People and Cardiff Institute for the Blind's staff and volunteers.
I think perceptions about the type of content which can be delivered online still need to be challenged.
Shona Smart
This new approach has enabled RNIB to reach a much wider audience, thereby enhancing revenue generation from business clients and the new public ecommerce portal.
An online learning platform can help third sector bodies and their partner organisations work together more effectively. RNIB is working with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists to develop content which will be available to both RNIB staff and Royal College members using the Learning Choices system.
I think perceptions about the type of content which can be delivered online still need to be challenged. RNIB’s work has shown that elearning can be made accessible for blind and partially sighted people. I have worked with NHS
Education for Scotland on several online learning projects covering difficult subject matter. The One out of Four project raises awareness of the maternity healthcare needs of women survivors of sexual violence. By blending online learning with face-to-face training, and carefully managing content, an award winning education programme has been created.
In my experience the projects which are most successful are those which come from a trusted partnership between client and vendor, often involving skills transfer. The partnership between RNIB and eCom has been mutually beneficial, with pooling of expertise to overcome the challenges of creating accessible elearning. Many organisations first test the water with an open source solution but underestimate the resource required to adapt and implement. The best solutions are developed on a defined learning strategy and built to deliver specific information and metrics. With the right partner you should expect not only an impactful learning solution spanning your business but also an upskilled team.
Shona Smart is an account manager at eCom Scotland
