What does elearning offer the trainer or manager?

When the learner has completed their course, perhaps in the privacy of their own home, the manager can log on to the Learning Management System (LMS) to see that user’s results. The purpose of such detailed information is the manager’s opportunity to pinpoint exactly what a carer is trained to do and how their training should continue. The information is completely secure – only the learner and the trainer will share a password.

Traditional training and the value of Blended Learning

Our courses combine traditional methods of classroom and on-the-job training and mentoring with elearning.

Blended learning is a flexible mix of one-to-one elearning, group training and on-the-job support added to courseware (such as paper and other learning materials).

Blended learning provides trainers with the option to issue supported packages when they choose. By allowing trainers control of the issue of passwords, care staff can be required to reach a pre-determined level of understanding before they progress to expensive group or one-to-one training.

Course modules can be completed online by the password holder up to a pre-determined point. This means that the trainer can pinpoint where further support and revision is needed. This obviates the requirement for the learner to retake an entire face-to-face course but allows them the ability to revisit topics online.

Once a member of staff has reached the desired level of knowledge, then investment traditional methods of training may follow. According to their score recorded on the Learning Management System (LMS), further training can be focused on the weak points of the learner.

Learning Methods and techniques of elearning

• Interactive Activities

We use interactive activities and simulations to enhance the information being presented. This emulates the reinforcement activities that are often used in traditional classroom-based training. These can include interactive case studies and task-based activities (e.g. identifying the correct sequence of events for a procedure).

• Integrated Assessment

User responses within interactive activities and simulations are tracked. To complete an activity, they must make a number of correct decisions. When combined with other forms of question this provides a rigorous assessment process, the results of which are available to the care manager or trainer.

•  Workplace Simulations

Workplace simulations allow the user to move around in a virtual workplace, with full control of an on-screen character. These simulations enable the user to interact with other characters and situations, making decisions they will need to make in their own workplace. For example, the carer might have to click and drag all obstacles that may cause a resident in a care home to fall. Or, they may have to take part in a scenario where they must select and revise parts of a care plan having been informed that one of their residents has fallen.

• Text and Audio Support

All course materials are presented as audio and text, with the ability to mute the audio for those who prefer to learn only by reading. However, we recommend that the user takes advantage of audio because it reinforces the message.

Many of our courses last less than half an hour or contain bite-sized elements which can be returned to using an automatic book-mark.

For every ‘page’ of each module, visually rich images effectively illustrate the concepts being explained. Experienced graphic artists create styles consistent with the ‘look and feel’ appropriate to user organisations’ aims and specific care environments.

• Multiple Choice Assessment

On the completion of each course, multiple choice assessment tests each user’s knowledge. Your organisation’s trainers and administrators can set the percentage of correct questions required to receive a successful pass.