Corporate

News

What is e-learning?

By Louise Undrill, Product Development Director at BPP Professional Education Ltd, Financial Services Division.

E-learning is a general term used to refer to computer-enhanced learning. It is undoubtedly a buzzword of the 21st century in the training industry. Growth across the globe is estimated at 25% every year, according to Wikipedia.org.uk, and this source also claims the global industry to be worth over €38 billion, so it’s not something we should take lightly. On the flipside, according to the Keynote Training Market Report 2006, the take up of e-learning as a pure product has been very slow in the UK and a lot of the early adopters of this method have been disappointed with the results. The feeling in the market is therefore very mixed.

The approach we offer to our delegates is to use e-learning as a complementary product, supporting both distance learning and classroom-based courses. The diversity of human nature means that we all have different learning styles and capacities. E-learning as a complementary product allows us to appeal to more of the market and offer people more flexible learning options.

E-learning generally takes the form of an online resource with different features available. At BPP, we started our complementary e-learning product by offering delegates the opportunity to watch tutorials online, carry out online tests in the style of the examinations they are likely to take, download MP3s and MP4s that can be uploaded to an iPod or other player and download materials and updates from the online resource. But with the rapid expansion of technology, we’ve been able to incorporate new features such as actual recordings of classroom sessions with annotated slides that delegates can watch on an MP3 player. And just last month we launched our first 'Webinar' for the SII Diploma Regulation & Compliance module, which had a global audience with delegates from as far away as China and India participating. The advantages of e-learning are starting to speak for themselves.

E-learning is used as a complementary learning tool across most of our product range, from threshold competency qualifications such as the SII Certificates right through to professional level qualifications like the SII Diploma. It is part of the package whether you decide on a classroom taught course or opt for remote tutor support via the distance learning package.

E-learning complements face-to-face training perfectly. The use of images and visual learning helps recall and retention of vital knowledge for many of our delegates, and therefore their understanding of key subjects is much more solid and comprehensive. With organisations spreading into wider global markets, e-learning has the potential and flexibility to reach global areas quickly and cost-effectively.

The biggest benefit of all is time efficiency, utilising time that could otherwise be considered downtime. For example, using an MP3 player means you can learn while at the gym or on the train. With people becoming more time-sensitive and wanting flexibility to fit training into their lifestyles, particularly in the financial services industry, the benefits are clearly visible. It offers delegates the ability to train efficiently and fit studying into their lifestyle.