© 2009 ULearning - All rights reserved. 1 From eLearning to ULearning - A blended learning framework for effective organisational change Liam Brown 1,

© 2009 ULearning - All rights reserved. 1

From eLearning to ULearning

- A blended learning

framework for effective organisational change

Liam Brown1, Prof. Vincent Wade2, Prof. Eamonn Murphy3

1. Enterprise Ireland2. University of Dublin, Trinity College3. University of Limerick

Work and Learning

What is U Learning?

• An innovative connector of industry and academia

• Addressing individual and corporate skills gaps

• Through professional flexible learning

Present Future

The Gap

Flexible professional educationself-directed, autonomous learners

peer to peer learning

Skills & Competency

Needs

Changing Nature of Employment

Key Drivers Future Delivery of Education

• Future employability of workforce

• Transferable skills

• Move across the value chain

• Development of indigenous base

• Exploiting efficiency gains

• Vulnerability of FDI in Ireland

Key Features Future Education Programmes

• Addresses skills and competencies gaps

• Customised according to need

• Incorporates professional certification

• Flexible learning methods

• External supports - e.g. paid study leave, tax breaks

• Academic supports - e.g. recognition of prior learning, credit accumulation

Organisational Learning

• Learning as an organisation

• Organisational benefits

• Embedding the knowledge in your organisation

• Combining industry and academic qualifications

• Collaboration in course design

Pioneering Approach

• Learner is in control

• Real organisational benefits

• Merging academic and professional certification

• Modular content/flexible delivery

• Build your own (masters) course

• Industry focused & designed

• Project connects theory to application

• Peer to peer learning & sharing experience

Pioneering Approach

Learning Paths

Follow your own path- Modules- Specialist diplomas - Masters- Professional doctorate

Professional Flexible Learning

Specialist Diploma

• Integrates theory and practice

• Subject specific focus

• 9 months in duration

• Postgraduate level

• 3 or 4 taught modules (theory)

• Significant Work-based project (application)

Build your own MSc

MM

M

M

M

M

M

M

Specialist

Diplom

a

Specialist

Diplom

a

Project +

. . .

Your M

Sc

+

+

=

The Programme: Specialist Diploma Lean Systems

• This Lean Black Belt course, aims to develop participants' process improvement skills.

• The diploma provides education and practical application to a Black Belt level in Lean.

• The course enables participating companies gain competitive advantage through the application of Lean principles to drive improvement with measurable results.

Lean Thinking

Managing Technology Projects

Advanced Lean Thinking

Leadership and Change Management

Modules

Programme commenced in Feb. 2006

7 Cohorts to date; In excess of 400 Students from 100 companies, with completion rates in excess of 80%

Analysis is based on first 4 cohorts of 135 Students from 46 companies

Students

On Campus

• Peer to peer learning

• Interactive learning tutorials

• Lab & practical

• Expert workshops

• Library

• Exams

Distance Learning

• Course manuals

• Text books

• Online material

Online Components

• E-tutors

• Discussion boards

• Collaborative learning space

• Documents [Office / PDF]

• Multimedia

• Self-assessments

• Assignment support

• Library resources

• Virtual knowledge centres

In House

• Project mentors

• Organisational learning environment

Learning Environment

The Framework

Participant Breakdown by Company Size and Sector

Nr of Employees

Less than 25033

Greater than 25013

Companies by Sectors

SERVICES : I.T. Sector, 1

SERVICES : AUTOMOTIVE

Sector, 2

OTHER Sector, 2

MANUFACTURING (NonDurables)

Sector, 2

MANUFACTURING ELECTRONICS

Sector, 1

MANUFACTURING (Durables) Sector,

14

AGRICULTURE Sector, 4

SERVICES : MEDICAL Sector, 8

SERVICES : OTHER Sector, 1

SERVICES : PROFESSIONAL

Sector, 3

TECHNOLOGY Sector, 7

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL Sector, 1

The feedback

Supervisor Feedback: the degree to which the participants overall knowledge, skill and attitude has changed arising from participation in the course

At least >>> Some Change Significant change

Knowledge 100% 25%

Skills 88% 25%

Attitude 88% 38%

Individual Feedback: the degree to which your overall knowledge, skills and attitude has changed arising from participation in the course

At least >>> Some Change Significant change

Knowledge 100% 100%

Skills 100% 93%

Attitude 100% 86%

• The framework has enabled participating companies to gain competitive advantage through the application of Lean Principles

• For Learners: Accreditation and career progression are paramount

• For large and small organisations: Impact and Results are key

• Modular content and flexible delivery incentivises learners and organisations

• Purely on-line: Lack of motivation, Self-discipline and lack of tutor contact

• Blended Offering – Timely Feedback from support staff and lecturers/ moderators essential – Content determines frequency of face to face sessions

• Critical that practical application of learning is related to content/theory

• The “U” in ULearning is to ensure that the individual is not just adequately represented but is central to the learning experience – Programmes need to be customised to individual needs

• Technology is a given - Pedagogy is key – Need to move from associative or behaviourism to cognitive constructivist to social constructivist to situated learning as appropriate

Conclusions

• Our many Industrial Partners and contributors• The Leonardo da Vinci programme of the EU and Leargas the National Leonardo da Vinci Agency• Enterprise Ireland• The Dept. of Enterprise Trade and Employment’s Accel Programme, managed by Skillnets Services Ltd.• The European Social Fund and the National Development Plan• The extended research and development and admin. support teams at UL and TCD

Acknowledgements

Further Information

• For further information and details, contact: [email protected] • Diploma/MSc Programmes: www.aua.ie

Thank You