Council pilots e-learning approach to IT training - 4 February 2005

The Suffolk Institute of Technology (SIT) is piloting an e-learning approach to meet the growing IT training needs of the new company, Customer Service Direct, Suffolk County Council and Mid Suffolk District Council's joint venture with BT.

A group of managers from Customer Service Direct (CSD) signed up this week for a twelve month programme which will incorporate innovative computer-based multimedia content, tutor support via on-line messaging, a dedicated internet-based forum and on-screen assessment packages, alongside more traditional face-to-face tutorials and workshops at the new hi-tech SIT Learning Centre in the High Street, Ipswich.

This is part of an overall strategy to provide learning in different ways, and compliments other e-learning initiatives lead by Yvonne Williams, ICT Services, CSD. Jane Tuke, Strategic Training & Development Manager, Human Resources CSD was keen to explore the potential of an e-learning solution. “As well as preparing our staff to gain the European Computer Driving Licence, which is an internationally recognised qualification in IT competence, we want to extend the potential of new technology to enhance the learning experience,” she said. “We will be monitoring and evaluating the advantages of on-line learning, which gives the flexibility to access courses from work and from home as well as at the SIT centre. We will be encouraging the use of on-line forums and email to enable those based at various council offices across Suffolk to create their own virtual learning communities”.

David Bowers, Associate Dean of Learning Resources at Suffolk College, welcomed the partnership with the council. “This promises to be an excellent case-study of blended learning,” he said. “We are combining high quality on-line learning materials from the government’s learndirect initiative with the experience of our IT tutors and the professional enthusiasm of the county council’s staff to develop a model of delivery which can be rolled out to organisations elsewhere in the county and beyond.”

MORE

The Suffolk Institute of Technology maintains a growing network of learning centres designed to take innovative and flexible learning opportunities to individuals and businesses across the county. For further information contact the SIT on (01473) 253167.

ENDS

Logging on to e-learning:

Managers of Customer Service Direct registering on the e-learning pilot at the Suffolk Institute of Technology.

Jane Tuke, Strategic Training & development Manager, Human Resources (seated) with Yvonne Williams, ICT Services, Customer Service Direct, with David Bowers, Associate Dean of Learning Resources (left), and College tutors Simon Auger and Eddie Naylor.

Managers of Customer Service Direct registering on the e-learning pilot at the Suffolk Institute of Technology.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For further information please contact:

David Bowers, Associate Dean for Learning Resources

Tel: 01473 296339

Email: davidbowers@suffolk.ac.uk

or

Tracey Bailey, Promotions & Information Centre Manager

Tel: 01473 296520

Email: traceybailey@suffolk.ac.uk

Issued by Promotions

4 February 2005