Newsroom
Bourne has recently completed the development of the inaugural two e-Learning courses for AO Foundation - the world-leading education and research body for orthopaedic surgeons. The Pre-operative Planning and Fracture Classification courses will enhance the AO Foundation portfolio of briefings for their 4,000 members.
As part of the relationship, Bourne will be developing a series of e-Learning courses throughout the coming months to act as foundation knowledge for more in-depth tutorial sessions. As one of two suppliers, Bourne has been successful in a pan European tender exercise with AO Foundation.
Commenting on the new relationship, Managing Director Mike Ditchburn explained "this relationship has come about as a result of AO Foundation recognising our expertise in superior learning design and graphics development. We are proud to be associated with this prestigious European client who offer 250 post-graduate courses and offer courses to 13,000 orthopaedic surgeons every year."
Employers who want to make the most of their training budgets are looking to maximise informal internal learning methods. That's the view from research carried out for the HR Directors Yearbook 2006. They also anticipate that coaching and e-Learning are expected to grow quickly.
Value for money is the driving force behind many of the changes in learning and development in UK firms over the last 12 months. The economics slowdown has put a brake on training funds for many organisations, with most reporting funding as static or falling.
Instead, firms are making the most of the training they can get, putting more of a focus on lower cost options such as coaching by line managers, which nearly three-quarters of firms expect to increase over the next few years. Mentoring, on-the-job learning, internal knowledge sharing and job rotation are also in for a boost within organisations. It's not simply that these options are cheaper. On-the-job training is still seen as the most effective method of learning by nearly all firms - a whopping 96%, just pipping more expensive instructor-led training.
When it comes to more structured training, e-Learning is the big winner - with seven out of ten firms planning to increase its use. However, there are barriers to its uptake. Technology limitations are the highest barrier, cited by 28% of respondents, while allowing learners to have the time and space to follow e-Learning programmes comes second.
It seems that, as long as IT budgets are tight and employers want to keep noses to the grindstone, informal training will keep its lead.
Source: HR Directors Yearbook 2006
As part of our customer satisfaction programme, Bourne has recently launched the Client Partner Package.
Linked to the Bourne website the package offers customers:
- Dedicated and secure access to the Client Area of our website to view project documentation and work in progress
- Development of complimentary marketing material to help clients effectively implement their e-Learning project
- Access to our range of Client Reference Guides and other resources
- A free research report on any topical area of e-Learning or distance learning
Commenting at the launch of the new service, Managing Director Mike Ditchburn explained "This initiative aims to bring our customers closer to our business and ensure that our focus is aligned with their requirements. Through speaking to our customers we have recognised that our role is greater than just delivering high-quality e-Learning - we need to find ways to help our customers through the e-Learning development process, share our expertise with them and help them market their products to ensure successful implementation." He added "The Client Partner Package is a strong first step. We are committed to listening to our customers and refining our activities so we continually offer excellent products and service."
Click here to see more details of the Client Partner Package.
e-Learning is now accepted as an essential feature of training delivery, according to a recent report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), although more work needs to be done on the implementation side if it is to be successful.
The CIPD study found that more than 80% of respondents believe e-Learning is more effective when combined with more traditional forms of learning, and CD-ROMs remain the most popular method of delivery of e-Learning with 73% of respondents using them.
The report also found that 52% of those surveyed use some generic modules of e-Learning within their organisation, and 57% have developed customised modules. More than two thirds (69%) believe e-Learning demands an entirely new skill set for people involved in training and development.
Nearly half (49%) of the respondents think that the contribution so far has been over-hyped. Nevertheless, the CIPD predicts that the use of e-Learning will double in the next three years.
CIPD Report on the Progress of e-Learning in UK Organisations
Key findings:
- e-Learning demands a new attitude to learning on the part of the learners: 90% agree or strongly agree
- e-Learning demands an entirely new skill set for people involved in training and development: 58% agree or strongly agree
- e-Learning is more effective when combined with more traditional forms of learning: 81% agree or strongly agree
- So far the contribution of e-Learning has been over-hyped: 49% agree or strongly agree
For further information visit www.cipd.co.uk
Bourne has been contracted to develop a high profile e-Learning course on environmental awareness for EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. Working alongside the Aviation Environment Federation, Bourne is aiming to complete development for launch in early 2006.
Commenting on the contract award, Mike Ditchburn, Bourne's Managing Director said "We are delighted to have been awarded this high profile contract in an area of major importance to EUROCONTROL. The tender process was extremely competitive with over 20 companies throughout Europe bidding - to come out on top is a tribute to our professional approach and instructional design expertise."
EUROCONTROL PRESS RELEASE
As part of its focus on contributing to a better understanding and awareness of the environmental impact of aviation, EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, is today launching the development of a web-based training package.
The package, which will be live in the first half of 2006, will provide air traffic management personnel with information and education on the environmental issues facing aviation and air traffic management. While aviation provides substantial economic and social benefits, a balance needs to be found to enable efficient and sustainable growth of the industry. Air traffic management contributes to reducing environmental impact in a number of ways, for instance reducing aviation emissions through the promotion of more direct and fuel-efficient flying, while meeting high safety standards and capacity requirements. However, to deal with environmental challenges, all parts of the air transport supply chain should share a common understanding of environmental issues and, collectively, work towards sustainable air traffic development.
"Environmental issues such as noise and emissions are of increasing global concern. Air traffic management does not have the solution but we do have a role to play in mitigating the environmental impacts of aviation," said Mr Bo Redeborn, Director ATM Strategies of EUROCONTROL. "The Environmental e-Learning tool - which is the first of its kind - is designed to give all operational staff a good understanding of general issues associated with environment and aviation, as well as specific indications of what actions they can take in their daily work to help mitigate the impact of aviation on the environment."
The web-based awareness and training package will be available to the general public and a version more specifically targeted to air traffic management will be on a password-protected site.
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Bourne has been recognised again for a top industry award, this time being short-listed in partnership with the University for Industry for the eLearning Award category 'most innovative use of e-learning'. The nomination is for our ground-breaking IT for Life programme, distributed through learndirect centres.
Click here to read a case study on the IT for Life courses.
Click here to see the full list of short-listed candidates and award categories.
Bourne has recently delivered an e-Learning programme to help East Sussex County Council implement their Performance Improvement programme.
Pete Rowley, Corporate Performance Manager commented "We are delighted with the programme. The feedback shows how much more colleagues understand about their role in managing performance linked to corporate objectives. Bourne Training were a joy to work with from start to finish, maintaining excellent relationships with us and translating an original concept into a very successful programme. I would not hesitate to recommend them to colleagues in other authorities"
Click here to read the full East Sussex County Council case study and to see the measurable results gained from the e-Learning programme.
Bourne Training has launched Protius™, a unique development framework that enables users to produce professional e-Learning in-house. Protius™, which features pre-programmed templates using Macromedia Flash, is supported by Protius Tracker™, an integrated student management system.
For further information visit www.protius.co.uk
"The flexible computer-based training system is pitched precisely at the right level for shop staff - it's worked wonders for sales and satisfaction at Compass Group outlets."
That's the view of Garry Craft, International Retail Director at Compass Group, commenting on the launch of the business-wide induction programme for Compass Group staff operating in amigo and Whistlestop stores.
He added "Benefits are now being transferred to amigo stores across Compass Group and translated into four different languages."
Find out more about how Bourne helped improve sales and customer satisfaction ratings at Compass Group outlets.
Click here to read the amigo case study.
As the leading foodservice organisation in the UK and Ireland, Compass Group provides high quality catering and support services at over 8,500 locations through a range of brand outlets servicing differing sectors of the community. Client satisfaction is a top priority for us and therefore investment in high quality training is essential. Like many retail businesses our challenge with growing amigo and Whistlestop convenience stores is to provide staff with customer service and sales skills prior to them interacting with customers.
Throughout the early stages of the development of our training programme we looked for a creative approach which would effectively provide our people with essential skills and knowledge but would also appeal to their age profile. It was clear that the use of a computer-based programme that could be delivered in-store on a stand-alone basis or within small group sessions would help us to effectively deliver training across a large number of store locations.
This flexibility was important. We also wanted a structure that would facilitate line manager involvement in the learning process. We wanted to ensure validation of learning as the staff member progressed through the programme but make it clear that line managers had a vital role to play in the delivery process.
Faced with a range of implementation and learning challenges we turned to Bourne Training for a cost-effective solution which we could implement across the estate. As this includes a network of stores in Europe, translation of the solution was also a likely requirement.
By working closely with Bourne we were able to build a modular Computer Based Training (CBT) programme covering the essential induction knowledge and critical service skills needed by all customer-facing employees. Finding time for induction in-store would be a major factor in the success of this programme, and the CBT was designed and structured so that the learning could be planned over the initial weeks of employment.
We scripted a lot of the material ourselves but Bourne's ability to create interesting, interactive and fun modules which encouraged staff to take part and remain engaged in the learning process was key to the success of the programme. In addition to the core tutorial element, we supported the course with a range of Managers' Resources to ensure the learning was effectively applied on the shop floor.
The benefits of the overall solution speak for themselves. We knew that one of the first measurement points would be sales. A clear trend quickly emerged; our average transaction values increased by up to 19 percent in Whistlestop stores within 4 weeks of training. Our second measurement looked specifically at customer service through our Mystery Shopper scores which progressively improved by 13-24 percentage points in the three month period following training.
My team, and all those involved with the programme, were very satisfied with the implementation of the programme and a clearly sustained improvement in the quality of merchandising and customer service. The end product not only addresses the precise need outlined at the outset, but it does so in an incredibly user-friendly way, pitching the learning at exactly the right level for the target audience.
We feel that continuous and thorough communication with our staff and Bourne Training have been the key to the success of this programme. By establishing an understanding of our specific and overall requirements we were able to provide our people with the best possible start to their role in our business.
Compass Group's convenience stores now have a strategic programme which facilitates communication with the store manager and assists the identification of further coaching needs. This will allow us to provide essential, ongoing support that will bring long term benefits to the business.
"Some higher education policy makers still seem inclined to see e-learning as a solution to the problems caused by the increasing expansion in student numbers - incorporating e-learning as a defensive measure will not provide a catalyst to positively use it within the overall learning mix."
That's the view of Mike Ditchburn, Bourne's Managing Director, commenting recently on the next 12 months for e-Learning in higher education for an article in e-Learning Age magazine.
Has e-learning improved higher education in the last 12 months and what are the prospects for the next 12 months?
Most universities have now introduced e-learning within their courses and the trend for wider access to resources, and opportunities for collaborative forums have continued. Universities have also recognised their role in providing education to all sectors of society, including professional people who combine university level education with their careers.
However, whilst there are notable examples of organisations that have strengthened their portfolio through e-learning, there are issues that continue to stand in the way of the higher education sector embracing technology for learning.
Some policy makers still seem inclined to see e-learning as a solution to the problems caused by the increasing expansion in student numbers. Whilst universities are offering more part-time courses than ever before, incorporating e-learning as a defensive measure will not provide a catalyst to positively use it within the overall learning mix.
Large strides have been taken to use e-learning to support academic teaching - providing factual information to allow teachers to concentrate on the classroom elements. However, many academics still say that e-learning cannot replace the face to face teaching that is central to the university model. They argue that higher education is about discussion and debate to enable students to grow within a subject and obtain full benefit from their academic studies.
Perhaps we're still some way from the model where the student wakes up to a voice message from her tutor, connects to the academic network through her cable TV to see a digital presentation and then breaks off from study to go to work in her virtual office. In the evening she has tele-conference seminar with her tutor and fellow students who are located in various parts of the world!
The development of lifelong learning will continue to place demands on education providers, but will also present tremendous opportunities. In extending their activities off campus and engaging with their communities, universities have the opportunity to contribute to the development of an inclusive knowledge society, building social capital as well as meeting individual aspirations.
I would hope to see more active participation in community-based learning where students and tutors can share information and interact on-line. This is a reality today, but in some cases requires a paradigm shift and acceptance that, as customer expectations change, then so must the product that is offered.
I also think that more opportunities will be taken for consortia to co-operate in the development of blended courses and assessment systems and, perhaps more importantly, to collaborate in on-line virtual delivery environments.
Bourne has recently delivered a high profile e-Learning tool for the Institute of Financial Services (ifs) to support their START programme - a revolutionary qualification to underpin the knowledge and skills needed by financial services firms to meet the proposed FSA standards for Treating Customers Fairly (TCF).
One of 3 key priorities for the Financial Services Authority for this year is the requirement for firms to Treat Customers Fairly, with the likelihood that authorised firms will be challenged on how they have embedded the new standards within their organisations.
ifs is leading the way by developing the new Certificate in Regulated Customer Care - the first to produce a qualification for the 26,000 financial services firms affected by the new standards. The START e-Learning tool has been developed to provide resources and access to underpinning knowledge for all areas of the proposed TCF syllabus.
Mark Roberts, Head of Faculty, Financial Regulation commented "The START tool is easy to use and understand. It succeeds in bringing the subject matter to life, and is a good example of how to get people to think about what is required in this important "new" area. We are pleased with the design of this product and impressed that Bourne could produce this substantial piece of high quality work in a demanding project time frame."
The e-Learning tool contains introductory information about the FSA's approach to TCF and has specific links to the key documents on their web-site. At the heart of the tool is a series of case studies which test the candidate's knowledge through practical examples of real-life situations. They receive immediate feedback and are directed to specific underpinning knowledge areas where required - all of which are contained on the CD. Active web links are also provided for candidates who wish to research into the FSA's TCF initiative.
Bourne is proud to have been involved in another successful development for the leading financial services education provider. "Yet again ifs and Bourne have partnered in developing a market leading product" enthused Bill Darley, Finance Director at Bourne, "a major benefit is that it can be delivered either as a stand alone CD or linked to any LMS - the value of this to financial services organisations is immense in an area of increasing importance to the FSA. The START tool provides an essential resource for firms to prove to the regulator that they are taking this issue seriously."
For further information visit www.treatingcustomersfairly.com
Bourne has recently completed development of the Post Mortem Consent course for Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust - the sixth course in a suite which supports the Trust in a range of key clinical areas and helps them work towards an enhanced star rating.
"This is a well developed product for a vital clinical governance issue" Dr James Adams, Associate Director of Medical Education, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
The other courses in the range have relevance across a broad spectrum of roles at the hospital and include Clinical Governance, Data Essentials, Safe Blood Transfusion, Infection Control and Locum Doctors Induction.
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust has authorised Bourne to customise versions of these courses for other trusts facing similar business issues. Mike Ditchburn, Bourne's Managing Director commented "The courses address critical issues affecting all NHS Trusts now and for the foreseeable future. We expect a lot of interest from other trusts, in particular because we can develop customised courses at a very cost-effective price".
"Customising the course to our needs was easy and we have had a lot of positive feedback" Dr Mark Pugh, Clinical Tutor, Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust.
Contact us for more information about how the suite of courses can be tailored for your NHS Trust.
e-Learning is set to grow as a route to developing the skills of employees. That's one of the findings of research into embedding e-Learning into large organisations commissioned by the University for Industry. Over 500 companies, each employing more than 500 staff, took part in the research and pointed to flexibility, accessibility and cost effectiveness as the main benefits of e-Learning for employee development.
Respondents reported that once employees get started, their initial scepticism about e-Learning diminishes. The employees questioned agreed that e-Learning is best delivered in an internal training centre, rather than at the desk-top, and they agree that an e-Learning strategy needs to be fully integrated with corporate objectives and be supported by senior executives to make the best impact.
Ufi claims the research is the most comprehensive of its kind into e-Learning in large organisations undertaken in the UK. Thirty percent of companies perceive changed attitudes towards learning as the greatest achievement of e-Learning, although doing more e-Learning at less cost is perceived as an additional success by 26 percent of respondents. All companies who are current users estimate that the proportion of internal training delivered by e-Learning will grow, on average from 15 percent to 29 percent of all training delivered.
For further information visit www.ufi.com
Bourne has recently completed the development of four courses for the learndirect IT for Life series. The courses, aimed at learners who need basic IT skills, are an important addition to the learndirect portfolio and are expected to have a very high demand.
The first two courses, Word Processing and Using Your Computer have already been launched, with 1,500 learners enrolling on the courses in the first month. The Electronic Communication and Spreadsheets courses are due for launch in Spring 2005.
learndirect commissioned Bourne to develop the IT for Life series to directly address the needs of learners who want to acquire IT skills for personal use. Learners can access the course on-line or through a CD-ROM.
Learners are engaged through a story approach which reflects their everyday experiences. All courses feature the Green family who introduce different aspects of using computers. In the Word Processing course learners can create a CV, write a letter or design a poster. Whilst the Using Your Computer course focuses on practical tasks including saving files, changing screen settings and setting passwords.
Mike Ditchburn, Bourne's Managing Director commented "We are very proud to be associated with this development for learndirect. The IT for Life courses focus on a critical group of learners and this created a number of interesting challenges through the development process." He added "It was an exciting project to be involved in and the number of learners enrolled on the courses in the first month illustrates the importance of the IT for Life suite in the learndirect portfolio".
For further information visit www.learndirect.co.uk
UK companies regard training as an important strategic priority and are keen to find ways to achieve more with limited budgets. That's the conclusion of Training in Major UK Companies, a study carried out by SDL.
More than 95% of respondents said training is a major strategic priority although only 7% expect to see a significant increase in their training budget. Other findings include that 70% of companies expect to use more e-Learning in the future, increasingly within a blended learning programme.