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Our approach
We ground our e-learning development practises
in modern education theory.
Optimum learning conditions
occur when the learner shapes the learning process. For
us, learner control is central. Some of this – such as the
"anywhere", "just-in-time" aspects of e-learning
– is inherent to the medium. However, careful design is also
essential to capitalize on these strengths. Flexible learning
has to be built into the courseware. Our lessons are carefully
structured so that learners can take a small or a big bite, depending
on how much time they can set aside or how much knowledge they
can assimilate at a sitting. Also, our course maps work! A map
is a visual cue to layout of the courseware. Good navigational
tools alone can never remedy poorly structured courseware. Because
we put great care into the logical structuring of our subject
matter, learners can navigate their way intelligently around our
e-learning courseware and very quickly get to the sections they're
really looking for.
Assimilating disjointed
bits of information does not lead to useful knowledge. Real knowledge
and understanding are internal personal constructions made possible
by a learner's ability to connect various pieces of new information
to each other and to extend his or her existing web of knowledge
to accommodate them. Our e-learning materials set out to
help learners with this process. We help them build on what they
already know. We help them explore the connections between new
pieces of information. We use questions and exercises to help
them to develop links, extrapolate, and apply the new information.
We believe that learning
should be fun, but it's also hard work. People generally
learn very little when they're in passive mode. Many standard
e-learning products are little better than video or illustrated
textbooks. Our e-learning courseware is truly interactive. Lessons
are liberally scattered with questions and tasks that keep the
learners thinking and working: they are challenged to extrapolate,
cross-reference, apply, and evaluate throughout.
Every educational medium
has strengths and drawbacks – the art is to make the most
of your medium's strengths. We harness our technology to
the fullest. The e-learning medium allows us to simulate certain
environments, letting our students learn through experience. It
allows us to create scenarios, letting students apply knowledge
to real-life situations. It allows us to leapfrog to relevant
information anywhere on the PC or anywhere in the world –
so we use hot links to local resources such as glossaries as well
as to information at the furthest reaches of the Web. This helps
the student to cross-reference and become self-sufficient in tracking
down further information.
We recognize that learning
takes place in the real world. Most of our students have very
specific learning goals and limited time in which to achieve them.
Our e-learning courses enable learners to pre-test, so they can
determine precisely which segments of the courseware they need
to study. Our carefully constructed testing also facilitates post-testing,
so competency attainment can be accurately assessed. Furthermore,
we believe that a no-nonsense approach is vital. Our training
materials are accurate, relevant, and concise at all times. Also,
the learner doesn't labor through our courses: they are easy to
install, easy to use, robust, and visually stimulating.
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