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Press Releases 2008

With thousands reaping the benefits of e-learning, why can’t you?

The practice of learning online has been around for several years, yet the healthcare sector has recently seen a significant boom in training delivered through e-Learning. Educating care home staff on day to day duties, as well as how to deal with more complex issues such as infection control, e-learning provides a number of advantages and benefits to both the learner and employer.

Chris Parr, Head of Products and Markets at ThirdForce, a global provider of e-learning and assessment software, explores how the flexible nature of e-learning is attracting more and more healthcare professionals.

e-Learning can be defined as internet-enabled learning, encompassing training, education, just-in-time information, and communication. The computer, which once used to be a ‘nice to have’ object, is now an essential piece of equipment both in our everyday lives and in the delivery of teaching and learning. The web is a tool available for everybody, making web based learning and assessment ideal.

Training is a priority for all care home managers, and e-learning can provide staff with the groundwork they need for their profession. An example of an e-learning training program which is both cost effective and educationally rewarding is ThirdForce’s new ‘Knowledge Sets for Care: Infection Control’ program. ThirdForce is a specialist in its field, with over ten years experience in designing innovative e-learning solutions. It has extensive experience in managing and delivering a complete e-learning management and support service, and leads the way in customised learning.

Benefits of e-learning

Designed to provide a comprehensive guide to caring for others, ThirdForce’s e-learning programs use easy to understand words and graphics. Subjects are broken up into manageable sections to ensure learning is accessible for all. Easy to use software, so as not to daunt the ‘ICT beginner’ in the workforce, and interactive features such as demonstrations of work tasks, help to engage all types of learners. These multi-sensory approaches incorporated in e-learning, like sound and visuals, positively affect motivation and retention.

Anytime, anywhere learning

In today’s increasingly hectic world, it is often tricky for employers to find the time to train their workforce. At a strategic level e-learning supports streamlining, cost effectiveness and economies of scale. This is achieved through significant reductions in the delivery costs of training as up-to-date content is easily accessible from one central source. Web based learning allows the care worker access to materials anywhere and anytime, to suit their requirements. This can be across multiple locations, reducing costs such as travel to and from a training centre or overnight accommodation. Learners can study from their place of work or from the comfort of their own home, meaning geographical barriers are eliminated, and environmental costs are reduced. e-Learning also has the ability to flex with the workforce allowing compliance to be maintained within rapidly growing or acquisitive organisations.

Flexible learning

An important aspect of ThirdForce and e-learning is that it provides a fun and enjoyable learning experience. e-Learning content can be challenging yet rewarding, with stimulating resources providing video, graphics and animation. User-friendly platforms are intended for both advanced learners and those with basic IT skills, meaning resources are entertaining and informative. The global learning community is at the students’ fingertips with online education.

For the individual

An added advantage for learners is that they can study in a relatively anonymous environment, without the embarrassment of failure. Any socio-cultural bias from personal contact is eradicated, and each individual can take their learning at their own pace. This can increase their drive to perform well. Learning content can be delivered to suit the individual requirements of the learner - on-line, on CD, or via its ‘el-box’ – a tailored touch screen tablet PC that is ideal for workforces with little or no previous experience with ICT.

Easy to track

The ThirdForce e-learning program is easy to track as the administrative functions facilitate learner registration, monitoring of learner progress, and testing and record-keeping, removing the need to develop additional systems. A comprehensive audit trail allows the remote tracking and monitoring of learner progress at company, division, area, site and learner level. It therefore highlights each student’s underperforming areas. This enables individuals to revisit learning materials on their problem areas, and improve their knowledge on these topics. Regulatory bodies can also easily receive audit and compliance data.

Technophobe friendly

e-Learning, although a modern day phenomenon, proves to be suitable for all ages and abilities. Easy to use teaching modules with thorough instructions allow learners of the older generation to further their qualifications. This highlights that for those who have not grown up in the ‘digital native’ generation, where the use of technology comes as second nature to many of today’s youth, e-learning is not a task to be feared. It enhances traditional teaching and learning methods – where traditionally students have been limited to pen and paper, they now have the chance to explore online, at their own pace. They can practice and develop their skills and knowledge through tools like video conferencing, interactive content and animation.

With care workers at the forefront of caring for patients, and protecting them and their visitors from risk, e-learning could be just the solution. It provides an efficient route to training, facilitating companies to undertake a modern and forward thinking approach. In this way care home managers can lift performance, raise standards and guarantee best practice throughout their organisation.

Published in Care Home Management, July 2008