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INNOELEARNINGINNOELEARNING

Fostering Innovative Self-Learning Fostering Innovative Self-Learning for Work in the E.U. through for Work in the E.U. through Dissemination of Innovative Dissemination of Innovative Structures and Applications Structures and Applications Identified in the USA and EuropeIdentified in the USA and Europe

December 4th 2002December 4th 2002Sociedade Portuguesa de InovaçãoSociedade Portuguesa de Inovação

Case - StudiesCase - Studies

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IndexIndex

1 – Introduction1 – Introduction

2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

3 – Soft Skills and Informal learning 3 – Soft Skills and Informal learning

4 – Communities of Learning4 – Communities of Learning

5 - Conclusions5 - Conclusions

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1 – Introduction1 – Introduction

The presentation will focus on one site for each of the 3 The presentation will focus on one site for each of the 3 study areas:study areas:

• Learner ModelsLearner Models• Soft Skills and Informal learningSoft Skills and Informal learning• Communities of LearningCommunities of Learning

The presentation of each site will focus on:The presentation of each site will focus on:

• Overview of the site and companyOverview of the site and company• Characteristics identifying it as a “best practice” Characteristics identifying it as a “best practice”

case-study (with respect to the evaluation criteria case-study (with respect to the evaluation criteria developed for each study area)developed for each study area)

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2 – Learner Models 2 – Learner Models

The application of “flexible, personal models for The application of “flexible, personal models for

learning” is a crucial aspect in the effectiveness of learning” is a crucial aspect in the effectiveness of

instruction provided through e-Learning. It is essential instruction provided through e-Learning. It is essential

that a learning model provide the format, tools and that a learning model provide the format, tools and

flexibility that minimize confusion and draw the flexibility that minimize confusion and draw the

student’s interest, thereby allowing learners to gain the student’s interest, thereby allowing learners to gain the

maximum benefit available through e-Learning.maximum benefit available through e-Learning.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

The evaluation criteria relate to:The evaluation criteria relate to:

• Providing a skills test prior to taking a courseProviding a skills test prior to taking a course

• Providing a tutor to guide and support learningProviding a tutor to guide and support learning

• Giving students the flexibility to tailor their course Giving students the flexibility to tailor their course

to their needs/preferencesto their needs/preferences

(Scheduling, privacy, control of screen info)(Scheduling, privacy, control of screen info)

• Stating performance/standards to be achievedStating performance/standards to be achieved

• Supporting learning through providing Supporting learning through providing

appropriate tools/resourcesappropriate tools/resources

(Self-assessment, help facilities, document mgmt) (Self-assessment, help facilities, document mgmt)

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

Company OverviewCompany Overview

• KnowledgePool has been involved in the design and KnowledgePool has been involved in the design and delivery of training solutions for nearly 40 years. delivery of training solutions for nearly 40 years.

• KnowledgePool offers comprehensive managed learning KnowledgePool offers comprehensive managed learning services, encompassing the identification, implementation services, encompassing the identification, implementation and management of organisational training requirements. and management of organisational training requirements. This allows clients to depend upon a single supplier who This allows clients to depend upon a single supplier who can provide managed learning for some or all of their can provide managed learning for some or all of their human capital development.human capital development.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

Company HistoryCompany History::

1964 – 1964 – ICL Training Services was established (IT training)ICL Training Services was established (IT training)

1992 – 1992 – ICL Training Services became PeritasICL Training Services became Peritas

1995 – 1995 – Peritas became the 1st commercial training Peritas became the 1st commercial training organization to deliver interactive, mentor-supported organization to deliver interactive, mentor-supported IT training via the InternetIT training via the Internet

1999 – 1999 – Peritas became KnowledgePool, focused onPeritas became KnowledgePool, focused on mentoring mentoring services, online learning tools, and services, online learning tools, and comprehensive comprehensive course library. It became a leading course library. It became a leading European training European training provider, and expanded to serve provider, and expanded to serve clients in the U.S. clients in the U.S.

2001 – Analyst group IDC ranked KnowledgePool among the 2001 – Analyst group IDC ranked KnowledgePool among the top six training providers worldwide.top six training providers worldwide.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

KnowledgePool has developed a strategic partnership KnowledgePool has developed a strategic partnership with NETg. With over 30 years of experience in the with NETg. With over 30 years of experience in the learning industry, NETg develops e-Learning solutions learning industry, NETg develops e-Learning solutions covering IT, desktop and business & professional covering IT, desktop and business & professional development skills. This brings NETg’s wide range of development skills. This brings NETg’s wide range of deployment options such as CD-ROM, Internet and deployment options such as CD-ROM, Internet and Intranet to KnowledgePool customers.Intranet to KnowledgePool customers.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

Best Practice characteristicsBest Practice characteristics

KnowledgePool makes use of . . .KnowledgePool makes use of . . .

• Skills-gap analysisSkills-gap analysis

• TutorTutor

. . . to guide . . . to guide

learning.learning.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

• KnowledgePool makes available pre-course KnowledgePool makes available pre-course assessments, and many courses allow users to skip assessments, and many courses allow users to skip elements of a course that they have a firm grasp on elements of a course that they have a firm grasp on already. already.

• This also allows students to choose their own This also allows students to choose their own learning pathway, thus effectively tailoring the e-learning pathway, thus effectively tailoring the e-Learning to the needs of learners. Learning to the needs of learners.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

KnowledgePool also provides an KnowledgePool also provides an Online Mentoring Online Mentoring SupportSupport system: system:

• Learners have access to mentors (tutors) to advise them Learners have access to mentors (tutors) to advise them on specific areas and to guide them in their learning. on specific areas and to guide them in their learning.

• Mentors provide support for learners via interactive Mentors provide support for learners via interactive chat, message boards chat, message boards or e-mail. or e-mail.

• All online courses have mentor support via e-mail and All online courses have mentor support via e-mail and most have chat support available at any most have chat support available at any time. time.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

Further elements contributing to student flexibility Further elements contributing to student flexibility include:include:• self-evaluation exams at the conclusion of each topic self-evaluation exams at the conclusion of each topic • post-course self-assessments post-course self-assessments

KnowledgePool is also careful to present learning KnowledgePool is also careful to present learning objectives clearly on all courseware, thus removing objectives clearly on all courseware, thus removing ambiguity.ambiguity.

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

KnowledgePool has developed numerous tools to aid KnowledgePool has developed numerous tools to aid learners.learners.

All courses are fully supported by the following features; All courses are fully supported by the following features;

• Online mentoring from tutors accredited in the subject Online mentoring from tutors accredited in the subject areaarea• Online assignments Online assignments • Frequently asked questions and message boards on each Frequently asked questions and message boards on each topic or certification coursetopic or certification course

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2 – Learner Models2 – Learner Models

Additional tools include:Additional tools include:

• Self-assessmentSelf-assessment• FeedbackFeedback• Help facilitiesHelp facilities• Supplemental document referencesSupplemental document references• Assignments to ensure learning is appliedAssignments to ensure learning is applied

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning 3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

““Soft Skills & Informal Learning” applies to learning Soft Skills & Informal Learning” applies to learning through working together - gaining soft skills through through working together - gaining soft skills through communicating and interacting with others. communicating and interacting with others.

The project evaluated sites based on their emphasis in The project evaluated sites based on their emphasis in supporting the learner to develop interpersonal supporting the learner to develop interpersonal communication, team work, leadership, and project communication, team work, leadership, and project management skills through interaction, the sharing of management skills through interaction, the sharing of knowledge, dynamic learning, content generation, etc.knowledge, dynamic learning, content generation, etc.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

A survey recently conducted by Mori asked 886 people A survey recently conducted by Mori asked 886 people from the UK workforce "Which skills are most useful from the UK workforce "Which skills are most useful to you in your job?" to you in your job?"

The most frequent responses related to soft skills.The most frequent responses related to soft skills.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

The evaluation criteria relate to: The evaluation criteria relate to:

• Interaction activity – both promoted and actual Interaction activity – both promoted and actual interactioninteraction

• Reward/motivation for student interaction and Reward/motivation for student interaction and learninglearning

• The transfer of soft skills to “real world” The transfer of soft skills to “real world” applicationapplication

• Environment (feedback, error tolerance, Environment (feedback, error tolerance, support, etc.)support, etc.)

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

Company OverviewCompany Overview

Online-learning.com offers mentor-based courses for Online-learning.com offers mentor-based courses for those interested in becoming electronic content those interested in becoming electronic content authoring professionals. They offer courses in authoring professionals. They offer courses in professional technical writing, document usability testing professional technical writing, document usability testing and a variety of XML related courses.and a variety of XML related courses.

Online-Learning's Information Design Series offers Online-Learning's Information Design Series offers practical training in four core Information Design skills: practical training in four core Information Design skills: writing, visual design, human factors design and writing, visual design, human factors design and scripting. scripting.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

Company HistoryCompany History

• The company has been in operation since 1995, The company has been in operation since 1995, when courses were initially developed and taught at when courses were initially developed and taught at universities and subsequently to business universities and subsequently to business enterprises.enterprises.

• The professionals at Online-learning have been The professionals at Online-learning have been active in distance education for more than 25 years.active in distance education for more than 25 years.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

Online-learning.com has conducted extensive research Online-learning.com has conducted extensive research in online learning. Through this research, the company in online learning. Through this research, the company has discovered that successful online learning depends has discovered that successful online learning depends on frequent instructor-student interactions, regular on frequent instructor-student interactions, regular student-to-student interactions, and practical task-based student-to-student interactions, and practical task-based assignments. All courses employ these techniques in assignments. All courses employ these techniques in delivering a sound learning experience. delivering a sound learning experience.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

All of the courses are taught by industry experts All of the courses are taught by industry experts acting as mentors. In this way student-student and acting as mentors. In this way student-student and student-mentor student-mentor interactionsinteractions are encouraged and are encouraged and guided.guided.

In this way Online-learning has achieved student In this way Online-learning has achieved student completion rates of over 80%.completion rates of over 80%.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

Using this mentoring approach promotes interactivity and Using this mentoring approach promotes interactivity and lets instructors guide students through the course lets instructors guide students through the course materials using e-mail, chat and discussion groups. materials using e-mail, chat and discussion groups.

InstructorsInstructors::• Provide guidance in a student’s learning pathProvide guidance in a student’s learning path• Support and motivate learning community interactionSupport and motivate learning community interaction• Review assignments and provide personal feedback on Review assignments and provide personal feedback on

assignments and student progressassignments and student progress• Guide and monitor discussion boards, forums, chat Guide and monitor discussion boards, forums, chat rooms, rooms, live conversation, and group worklive conversation, and group work• Are continuously available for student assistance Are continuously available for student assistance

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

• As a As a rewardreward, students receive a certificate of completion , students receive a certificate of completion from Carleton University.from Carleton University.

• Each course is assigned Continuing Education Units in Each course is assigned Continuing Education Units in accordance with the number of hours required to accordance with the number of hours required to

complete the course. complete the course.

• To receive a certificate students much complete all To receive a certificate students much complete all assignments and maintain a 75% average score.assignments and maintain a 75% average score.

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

Assignments given in Online-learning courses are designed Assignments given in Online-learning courses are designed to enable the application (or “to enable the application (or “transfertransfer”) of new skills at the ”) of new skills at the learner’s place of work.learner’s place of work.

• Students complete between two and nine assignments Students complete between two and nine assignments depending depending upon the course. upon the course. • Assignments and quizzes teach both "what and how", Assignments and quizzes teach both "what and how", including including the use of tools of the trade.the use of tools of the trade.• Assignments allow students to practice real-life tasks. Assignments allow students to practice real-life tasks.

(e.g. students write their resume - first assignment in (e.g. students write their resume - first assignment in the the writing course - to train in basic writing techniques.)writing course - to train in basic writing techniques.)

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3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning3 – Soft Skills & Informal Learning

• Courses hold an opening chat sessionCourses hold an opening chat session• Students in the same courses complete selected Students in the same courses complete selected assignments in groupsassignments in groups• Students receive weekly updates from instructorsStudents receive weekly updates from instructors• Students have easy communication to and Students have easy communication to and from from Instructors and other students Instructors and other students

Online-learning has also taken Online-learning has also taken steps to ensure they provide an steps to ensure they provide an appropriate appropriate environmentenvironment for for informal learning.informal learning.

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

A “Community of Learning” refers to groups of A “Community of Learning” refers to groups of

individuals with similar learning needs, who share their individuals with similar learning needs, who share their

educational experience and maximize their learning educational experience and maximize their learning

through this sharing.through this sharing.

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

The pre-established set of criteria relate to:The pre-established set of criteria relate to:

• the existence of community “moderators”the existence of community “moderators”

• the application of group problem solving the application of group problem solving methodsmethods

• the existence of synchronous and asynchronous the existence of synchronous and asynchronous interactive learning toolsinteractive learning tools

• the establishment of a mission statement or the establishment of a mission statement or guiding principlesguiding principles

• the application of a registration system that the application of a registration system that supports individuality supports individuality

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

Simultaneous to the development of the Innoelearning Simultaneous to the development of the Innoelearning Study, SmartForce – which was selected as a “best Study, SmartForce – which was selected as a “best practice” case study – merged with Skillsoft. practice” case study – merged with Skillsoft.

The new company retained the name of SkillSoft.The new company retained the name of SkillSoft.

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

OverviewOverview

SkillSoft, a US-based company formed through the merger of SkillSoft, a US-based company formed through the merger of e-Learning pioneers SmartForce and SkillSoft, provides a e-Learning pioneers SmartForce and SkillSoft, provides a combination of strengths in products and service. combination of strengths in products and service.

The company has more than 3,000 customers spanning The company has more than 3,000 customers spanning financial, healthcare, technology and governmental sectors.financial, healthcare, technology and governmental sectors.

It offers content, technology and services to deliver student-It offers content, technology and services to deliver student-centered, instructionally rich and results-driven e-Learning centered, instructionally rich and results-driven e-Learning solutions. solutions.

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

1984 - 1984 - Smartforce had its first steps, founded as CBT Smartforce had its first steps, founded as CBT Systems in Dublin, IrelandSystems in Dublin, Ireland

1998 - 1998 - SkillSoft Corporation was foundedSkillSoft Corporation was founded

1999 - 1999 - SmartForce took its name in conjunction with the SmartForce took its name in conjunction with the move to Web-based trainingmove to Web-based training

2000 - 2000 - SkillSoft became public SkillSoft became public

2002 - 2002 - Smartforce merged with SkillsoftSmartforce merged with Skillsoft

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

Make reference to events and discussionMake reference to events and discussion

Best PracticeBest Practice

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

The The registration systemregistration system includes:includes:

Personal dataPersonal data

Content areasContent areas

Event TypesEvent Types

Media (software) TypesMedia (software) Types

The site presents events The site presents events based on based on the profile of the userthe profile of the user..

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

There are There are Events ListingsEvents Listings containing containing concise guiding concise guiding principlesprinciples for each of the event for each of the event

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

Each event has a Each event has a detailed descriptiondetailed description, including a , including a background on the background on the moderatormoderator (speaker) (speaker)

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

The seminars support The seminars support synchronicitysynchronicity: audio, video and : audio, video and slide presentationsslide presentations

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

Students can scheduled their own meetings.Students can scheduled their own meetings.These meetings have These meetings have chatchat capability and allow students capability and allow students to to share whiteboards, presentations and filesshare whiteboards, presentations and files

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

It also has the remarkable option of giving It also has the remarkable option of giving feedbackfeedback to to the event, rating it.the event, rating it.

Each synchronous event has the option of Each synchronous event has the option of being replayed afterwards. This makes it an being replayed afterwards. This makes it an extremely useful extremely useful asynchronous toolasynchronous tool..

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

The discussion area includes 3 different tools:The discussion area includes 3 different tools:

1.1. Open synchronous forums (with the Open synchronous forums (with the option of option of being monitored)being monitored)

2.2. ““Threaded discussions”Threaded discussions”

3.3. ContributionsContributions

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

The synchronicity of The synchronicity of the forums is the forums is supported through supported through the use of the chat the use of the chat tooltool

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

The conferences allow to have asynchronous The conferences allow to have asynchronous interaction between the community membersinteraction between the community members

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4 – Communities of Learning 4 – Communities of Learning

In the ‘make a contribution’ area, there is a In the ‘make a contribution’ area, there is a forum that allows to post comments and forum that allows to post comments and questions. This tool works as a monitored forum questions. This tool works as a monitored forum but in an but in an asynchronous wayasynchronous way..

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5 – Conclusions 5 – Conclusions

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Learner Models

Soft Skills

Communities ofLearning

Analysis of the scores under each set of criteriaAnalysis of the scores under each set of criteria

bestbest worstworst

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5 – Conclusions 5 – Conclusions

““learner models” have a more consistent quality learner models” have a more consistent quality

Sites have better classifications under “learner models”Sites have better classifications under “learner models”

““communities of learning” have a significant range of communities of learning” have a significant range of qualityquality

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5 – Conclusions 5 – Conclusions

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

learner models

soft skills

communities of learning

Analysis of balance of each site under each of the 3 sets of criteriaAnalysis of balance of each site under each of the 3 sets of criteria

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5 – Conclusions 5 – Conclusions

The classification of each site under the 3 areas varies:The classification of each site under the 3 areas varies:

Just a few classify across the 3 areasJust a few classify across the 3 areas

Most only classify well in one of the areasMost only classify well in one of the areas

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SPI - Sociedade Portuguesa de InovaçãoSPI - Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação

Sociedade Portuguesa de InovaçãoSociedade Portuguesa de Inovação

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