E-learning guidance from Open Mind

These days, the term íe-learningí can mean an interactive CD-ROM, an online course from the internet,a course on your organisationís intranet, an online reference library, streamable digital video clips or even learning via an iPod or mobile phone. Planning and implementing an e-learning strategy can be a minefield and trainers may be confused by all the ítechnology hypeí surrounding íe-learningí.

As an independent e-learning provider, Open Mind - the UKís largest distributor of learning resources - is offering organisations guidance and advice on finding the right e-learning solutions for their training need.

Alun Harvey, Open Mindís managing director, explained: We start by asking trainers two key questions: íWhat do you want your e-learning to achieve?í and íWhat do your staff need to learn?í We can then work with the trainers and their IT department to assess their technology, identify suitable courses and recommend the best delivery methods and management system for their needs.

Open Mind can supply over 300 generic e-learning courses from 20 producers covering such topic areas as management skills, health and safety, workplace legislation, diversity, stress, IT skills, languages and so on. Open Miind also has a growing range of online assessment tools, reference materials and a library of 800 streamable video clips.

We can also supply learning management systems and authoring tools for trainers to create their own courses, added Harvey. Or we can design and develop these systems and learning materials for them.

Many of the DVD and e-learning titles that go to make up Open Mindís catalogue of 4,000 or so separate training materials from 130 producers, indexed against 160 topics, can now be previewed online, via Open Mindís website: www.openmind-learning.co.uk Professional trainers are also welcome to visit Open Mindís free Preview Centre at its offices in Henley-on-Thames, where there are over 2,000 titles available for evaluation.