BeLA news

PGC E-learning

Two Epic staff are currently on their way to completing a Post-Graduate Certificate in e-learning, part of the first cohort to take this new course delivered jointly by Sussex and Brighton Universities.

The course is designed to provide an insight into the development of e-learning over the last 50 years and how it compares with instructor led training.

The course was developed in collaboration with the Brighton e-learning Alliance (BELA), an alliance of Brighton based companies who aim to make Brighton the European Centre of Excellence in e-learning. Intended to address local skills shortages. Sussex and Brighton launched the course in January 2006 and Epic ran an internal competition to fill two places, fully-funded, on the 2 module, 6 month course. Rebecca Baggalley and Emily Berry, designers at Epic, won the chance to further their e-learning skills after an intensive selection process and are now communicating their findings to the rest of the Epic staff through a specially-adapted wiki.

Emily said "The course has really opened my eyes to e-learning as an industry and has made me enjoy my work at Epic even more. It's very refreshing to get an outsider's perspective". As part of the recently completed E-learning Theory and Practice module, the cohort were invited to discuss a completed e-learning project. It was clear to all the class that there were problems with the programme but all felt it was refreshing to be able to discuss them with the benefit of hindsight and out of earshot of the project team. Other modules include Technology for E-learning Designers, Design and Content Development and Project Process. (Blended learning has also been discussed as part of the Theory and Practice module.)

Epic Director of Education, John Harris, who also sits on the course committee said "It's excellent to see the local universities responding to the needs of the local industry. E-learning practise needs to be supported and underpinned by sound learning, which the universities are well planned to provide".

Other companies in the area to send staff through the course include American Express and Sussex Police but Epic is the only e-learning organisation to fund their staff giving evidence of its commitment to invest in people as well as sending a strong message as one of the largest employers in the area.

For further information on the course, please contact Matt Dolan at Epic on 01273 728686 or email marketing@epic.co.uk.

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