Last updated 15 October 2010 

Two of the top barriers to the successful adoption of learning technologies in the world of work are:

• Lack of knowledge about its potential use and implementation
• Lack of skills amongst staff to implement and manage e-learning 

So where can we go to stay informed, keep in touch and build our skills?

Here are just a few ideas:

Benchmarking 

Save time by identifying specific implementation activities that will impact key performance indicators such as take up, efficiency and business agility through best practice benchmarking with Towards Maturity. (1200 organisations have been through the TM benchmark).

Strategy

• Next step workshop - building effective strategies through stakeholder engagement (Towards Maturity Enterprises)

Short courses and workshops:

• First steps workshop for L&D staff wanting to understand the potential of learning technologies - Towards Maturity Enterprises 
• Getting starting with Virtual classroom and instructional design- Onlignment
• For Instructional design and blended learning try - Trainer1 ( see our course review)  and Rob Hubbards Ministry of Instructional Design
• Social Media training with Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies

Build skills via certification programmes in e-learning and blended learning:

• The IITT's Certified online learning facilitator workshop launched October 2010.
• The Postgraduate Diploma in Training, Learning and Development  from University of Cambridge institute of Continuing education.
• CIPD - offer a 1 day course in making blended learning work and a series of other short courses in e-learning plus a  certificate in blended learning providing the opportunity to experience the media as you learn.
• The Training foundation - Their TAP system includes qualifications on blended learning, e-learning facilitation and design, and implemenation (click here for a review of the system by participants).

Keep track of what is happening on line:

• Towards Maturity - online case studies, resources and latest research
• Center for Learning and Performance technologies - run by Jane Hart, to keep track of latest tools and technologies in learning
• e-learning age magazine
• Training Journal's L&D 2020 research and workshops
• Linked In's e-learning communities.

Professional Institutions

• IITT  ( and associated trainingprofessional community)
• BILD - The British Institute of Learning and Development
• CIPD - The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development

To keep in touch with fellow e-learning colleagues via online networks and conferences:

• the eLearning Network - providing an online community with opportunity to meet with colleagues face to face throughout the year UK
• Learning Technologies and it's learning and skills group (an online community extending connections with colleagues you have met at the LT conference) UK
• Informatology:- with an anual conference and company raids UK
• Online educa Berlin - networking & conference for Europe.
• LinkedIn Groups - eLearning UK, elearning futures ( plus a variety associated with all of the above networks.

These are just a few to get started - Do let us know via the suggestion button below about other programmes, organisations or sites that you have found useful and we will be happy to include them.

Also do complete our minipoll.

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