Learning and Skills Network – implementing engaging e-learning in schools, colleges and workplaces.
With over 30 years’ experience in vocational education and training, the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) is now recognised as one of the market leaders in providing programmes to boost the performance of learners and organisations.
To keep ahead of the needs of education and industry, the LSN has developed a range of e-learning programmes and resources. The LSN is embedding e-learning into the classroom and workplace through research and evaluation of e-learning at all levels, research design and development of teacher support materials, training, networks and events, and website development.They also implement quality improvement strategies and management systems within educational institutions. .
The LSN has recently worked with a large college in South Yorkshire, UK, to fully embed e learning into the culture and the curriculum. While several areas of the college were developing and using e-learning techniques to deliver programmes, this was somewhat uncoordinated and lacked a support network. In some areas, e-learning was regarded as an optional add-on.
The LSN created a CPD development tool, designed to provide relevant and realistic examples of appraisal targets for fellow practitioners to consider when attempting to integrate e-learning into their practice. Funds were allocated to give staff the time for ICT training, resource development and meetings, rather than to buy new equipment. This structured approach to CPD provides focus and validity for colleagues aiming to integrate e-learning into traditional teaching and learning situations. The LSN also helped by basing the transformation process around an established model of change management.
LSN has enabled the college to create a community in which e-learning pedagogy is integrated into teacher training courses and in which e-confident teacher trainers present e-learning as commonplace.
Always looking to the future, LSN is now developing ‘m learning’ (mobile learning) materials.
