Over the Christmas period I read a number of predictions about what's coming in the next 12 months, and there's two which consistently feature which could change the way we do things in e-learning and L&D – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR).  I have to admit that I'm not up to speed on either area, but both look as though they could have major implications for what we do, though they're perhaps more medium than short term issues.

However, if we take a quick look at the latest announcements in the AR/VR market, things look far from settled in these areas.  On 15 January, Google announced they're closing the current program for Google Glass.  A couple of days later, Microsoft said Windows 10 will include AR features as a default and they'll also be launching their own AR glasses (HoloLens), along with a development suite (HoloStudio).  In addition to this activity, Facebook continue to plough money into their Oculus Rift product, which has captured the imagination of many.

We'll keep an eye on these areas, and as opportunities come up we'll forward you details.

But, whilst intriguing, I think we're unlikely to be spending our budget on these products in the near future, so looking to matters closer at hand, I came across an interesting comment over the holiday period; the gap between where we are, and where we could be, is tremendous.  Thinking about e-learning, I feel this is probably quite true.  So in recognition of this, the Alliance is launching Challenge 2015 to help Members identify and move towards “where we could be”.

Challenge 2015 is going to be about having conversations, and establishing collaborations amongst Members that will help us to achieve measurable success in 2015.

So to kick-off the conversations, here's two questions to ponder:

  • How can the eLA help you achieve measurable success in 2015?
  • What specific actions could the eLA take, to help the wider e-Learning Community develop in 2015?


Our first Challenge 2015 discussion takes place at our Networking Meeting in Glasgow on Friday (30th January), and we'll look to build the conversation from there.

 

Organisation Update:
At the AGM in November, the Members of the Company running the Alliance project decided the Ltd Company should cease trading.  In order to maintain the work of the project, eLearning Scotland bought the assets and liabilities of the original company, and made additional funds available.  The eLearning Alliance project will continue to run on much the same basis as before, though there are some corporate and legal changes required.  

The eLearning Alliance vision remains the same, to grow the use of e-learning across our communities, and we will continue to do this by encouraging conversations and collaborations that give you opportunities to learn, share and build value creating projects.

Our other big news is that after nearly 13 years with the Alliance, Audrey is now running her own events company; Greenwood Events.  She is also working on a part-time basis as a Development Manager for Quiet Waters Charitable Trust, as well as managing her own private counselling practice and is currently undergoing training in counsellor supervision at Strathclyde University.  I'm sure you will all join me in thanking Audrey for her time with the Alliance and wishing her all the best moving forward.  If you would like to keep in touch with Audrey, she can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Learning Technologies Show:
One of the biggest events on the eLearning calendar happens this week at Olympia in London.  For many years, the Learning Technologies show was run by BizMedia, but in November, BizMedia was bought by CloserStill (the BizMedia business also included e.learning age magazine and The eLearning Awards).  This years conference and exhibition has over 70 speakers and 250 exhibitors, and takes place on 28th and 29th January.

A number of our Members are attending the show, whilst some are also exhibiting.  If you are attending, then pop in to see Create eLearning (stand 14), Synergy Learning (stand 149) and The Training Foundation (stand 381) to say hello and listen to their latest news.

 

Members News:
New Members
Since our last newsletter, Bon Accord Care have joined our membership.  Based in Aberdeen, Bon Accord Care are part of our growing membership based in the north of Scotland, so we'll be looking to take some of our networking events here later in the year.  We'll confirm dates, venues and subjects as they're finalised.

Working Across Sectors: Views, Experiences and Perceptions
Alliance Member, Dr Nancy El-Farargy is looking for some help in research she's carrying out at NHS Education Scotland.

The research is looking at the integration of public services in Scotland as key drivers of the Public Service Reform agenda, where the focus is on stronger organisational relationships that deliver better services for patients and the public.  This requires the engagement of the statutory health sector, the social care sector and the voluntary sector in the planning, design and delivery of public services.  

This questionnaire aims to explore your views, experiences and perceptions of working across various sectors.  It also aims to review practical examples and educational provision in the area.

It should take about 15 minutes to complete the survey, and your input would be valuable.  The survey is available here.

Congratulations to Synergy Learning
Alliance Member, Synergy Learning have achieved another award from Totara Learning; the accolade of Totara Top Contributor 2014.

Seminar management is a key component of an enterprise learning platform, to fully support blended learning as well as face-to-face learning.  Taking into account the requirements from a wide range of customers, Synergy Learning created a powerful suite to plan and manage seminars inside Totara LMS.

Andy Kirk, EMEA Channel Partner Manager for Totara Learning Solutions, said:
"Synergy Learning's award for Top Totara Contributor 2014 is very well-deserved.  The team have a fantastic pedigree in open source software development and are a key contributor in Totara’s ‘eco-system’, part of the lifeblood of the product development.  This recognition marks continued progress for Synergy Learning, who have also been recipients of Totara’s Top Seller Award."

To find out more about their award, get in contact with Eamon McHugh.

Create eLearning - Marketplace – Where freelancers meet Instructors and Businesses
Alliance Member, Create eLearning have recently announced the launch of their “Freelancing” community.  It is dedicated to helping trainers, instructors and organisations build exciting and engaging content.

Imagine you're a busy Instructor, trying to articulate a complex learning point. Wouldn’t it be lovely, if within a few clicks, you could find an animator or artist to help you. Their deal and work room allow you to collaborate effortlessly and get the job done.  Buyers and freelancers are rated for quality of work, quality of communications, timely delivery and so on.  Jobs are pre-funded and guaranteed.

Joining as a Freelancer is free.  Just edit your profile, add in a website or upload examples of your work and join the community at https://create-elearning.com.

 

Other News:
Also on the corporate news front, the AICC announced in December that due to declining membership, its' membership had decided to dissolve the AICC.

So after 26 years of work bringing development and LMS standards to the learning technology market, the AICC is coming to a close.  Current work on CMI-5 will be transferred to the ADL (bringing SCORM and AICC compliance under the same roof) and the work will continue with many of the same individuals.  The AICC document archive will be transferred to the ADL to ensure continued public access to these documents.

You can keep up to date with what's happening across our Membership by visiting the eLearning Alliance website, whilst broader market news is available from eLearningScotland.

 

Upcoming Events:
We're finalising a workshop that will introduce people new to eLearning to the essential elements in developing and managing eLearning.  We anticipate this will take place towards the end of February/start of March and will include sessions on Instructional Design, creating elearning content, Learner Management Systems, and buying content.  Additionally, we're also hoping that we can bring Clive Shepherd to Scotland to talk about his recently launched book – More Than Blended Learning.

We'll issue more details of these events as they're confirmed.

 

Membership of The eLearning Alliance
Membership of the eLearning Alliance is available to; public and private sector organisations, corporate users of eLearning, training providers, technology suppliers, software developers, colleges, universities, publishers, broadcasters, professional bodies, consultants and others. As Members, you get free access to our networking events, as well as discounts on our workshops and conference. Annual cost of organisational membership is £300.

You can download a membership application form here (www.elearningalliance.com), alternatively, if you have any questions about The eLearning Alliance, please get in contact with Susan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..