Virtual College supports learning technology drive within Learning Futures Programme

Delegates from Workers’ Educational Association together with several colleges involved in the national Learning Futures Programme visited Virtual College for a full day programme of activities to understand more about building and deploying e-learning within blended training programmes.The organisations that visited Virtual College were shown examples and case studies of different e-learning programmes where they talked through the process from conception to final build and discussed different examples of learning and how it had been successfully deployed.Each of the delegates that attended is currently overseeing and implementing a learning technology project that will produce CPD resources for staff across the FE sector and all were keen to hear about the practicalities of building good quality e-learning from Virtual College.Driving innovation in teaching and learning is key to the Learning Futures Programme, commissioned and funded by The Education and Training Foundation and managed by the Gazelle group.Sue Owen-Evans, Programme Director of Learning Futures, explained: “Our delegates wanted to learn about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of developing learning online that is engaging, purposeful and has real impact.”“Virtual College has over 20 years’ e-learning experience and were able to provide invaluable facilitated sessions on topics such as content authoring and design.”The government has already stated its commitment to an increase in online learning with a “starting gate of a minimum of 10% of publicly-funded programmes with a wholly online component by 2015/16.”Hannah Brindle, Divisional Director at Virtual College, commented: “We are pleased to be able to share our experiences with organisations and support their drive for more effective use of online learning within the further education sector.”The event was such a success that a number of follow up activities have been agreed to ensure that the good practice that was shared continues and that the other e-learning actions and collaborations discussed on the day have an opportunity to be explored further and driven forward.Virtual College demonstrates the development of e-learning materials.About Virtual CollegeVirtual College has developed into one of the UK's leading providers of total solutions within the e-learning arena. Its key objective is to help enhance the traditional learning solution through the careful integration of technology.Founded in 1995, today Virtual College has over 1.7 million registered online learners and this is growing at a rate of over 1,000 a day, across both public and private sectors. The company has developed a comprehensive product range, including over 300 online courses, accessed via the company's own Learning Management System, as well as offering a complete content design and development service. Further information is available at www.virtual-college.co.uk.