The eLearning Place (June 2001 - November 2004) - enabling non-technical Providers in e-learning

The eLearning Place was an ERDF-funded project to support traditional and non-traditional Learning Providers in their creation of online learning on Merseyside. The project has created a virtual learning infrastructure (www.elearningplace.co.uk) and a course creation tool (www.coursemaker.co.uk) aimed at non-technical users. Its main innovation is that content can be re-used to be pubslihed via multi-channels: digital intecrative TV and Internet.

CRIPSAT was the educational lead for the project. This role involved: liaising between the project's 39 Learning Providers and the technical development team; advising Learning Providers on appropriate e-learning best practice and strategy; training and supporting Learning Providers at the point of demand. Integral to the role was the collection and analysis of data from Learning Providers and learners in the form of technical statistics, quantitative and qualitative feedback (through questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and reflections). CRIPSAT have prepared two publications based on the outcomes of all these activities, The eLearning Place Best Practice Guide and Research Report.

The Best Practice Guide focusses on CourseMaker-specific models of e-learning pedagogy that emerged over the duration of the project and contains advice and guidelines on e-learning development processes, from assessing first needs to running successful, quality e-learning courses.

The Research Report details the analysis of the data generated over the 3 years of the project and relates report findings to broader regional (Merseyside) strategy and the cross-sector interests, from voluntary and community organisations to SMEs.

The eLearning Place Best Practice Guide

This document is aimed at practitioners embarking on e-learning development. It is a guide to what is currently recommended as best practice when using CourseMaker to create e-learning resources for use through The eLearning Place and can also be used as a generic, introductory guide to e-learning. It is not a guide to best practice in the ever-shifting sphere of e-learning per se.

This guide recommends best and good practice for every stage of an e-learning development process using CourseMaker, from formulating a business case and e-learning strategy, to quality testing, and evaluating your e-learning resources. The terms of reference are always those of CourseMaker, and the associated TestMaker tool and The eLearning Place website, and the capabilities and application of these development and delivery tools. The best practice guide recommendations are informed by a distillation of academic and commercial research, practice and innovation.

Section titles:

1. Introduction
2. Course Planning and Preparation
3. Interactive e-Learning and Multimedia
4. Design
5. Designing for Digital Interactive TV
6. Assessment
7. Quality Assurance
8. Running Your Course
9. Course Monitoring and Evaluation

Research Report

This document provides an evidence-based, reflective account of the lessons that were learned from the eLearning Place project on Merseyside. It details the aims and objectives of the three-year European-funded project with an analysis of the e-learning development experiences of participating Learning Providers and learners who benefited from the e-learning courses, and the technical issues encountered and the solutions adopted.

Chapters titles:

1. Introduction
2. Executive Summary
3. Aims and objectives
4. The Project Participants
5. The Experience of Learning Providers
6. The Learner Experience
7. Using Technology Effectively
8. Learning Provider Profiles - Phase 1 Project
9. Learning Provider Profiles - Phase 2 Project
10. Appendices

After November 2004, The eLearning Place has rolled out nationally and internationally. Any interested organisations or individuals who are looking to use e-learning can contact the Education Liaison Team based at CRIPSAT for e-learning support. For further details on The eLearning Place, see www.elearningplace.co.uk