The role of online to support the Learning Infrastructure

1
The role of online to support the Learning
Infrastructure
British Learning Association, EdinburghOctober
2004

• Andy Wooler MBA (Open)Manager, Learning
  Management SystemsRoyal SunAlliance Insurance
  Group PLC

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Understand the functionality required
How do you know what you need this thing todo
for you?!
Tacit Knowledge
Explicit Knowledge
Tacit Knowledge
Socialisation
Externalisation
Internalisation
Combination
Explicit Knowledge
Nonaka Takeuchi, 1995 The Knowledge Creating
Company How Japanese Companies Create the
Dynamics of Innovation
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My list

• 1-1 Collaboration tools synchronous
  asynchronous
• 1- many collaboration tools - synchronous
  asynchronous
• eLearning creation tools
• Ability to deploy Media (video, sound,
  animations)
• Virtual classroom
• Creating and tracking tests
• Integrate third party products (e.g. Netg,
  ElementK)
• Delivery of eLearning

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My list - continued

• Management of learning- traditional courses,
  classes- books, videos, DVD- Web based
  training- CD ROM
• Tracking activity
• Competency management
• Performance management
• Talent Management

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LMS/LCMS Whats the difference?

• LMS Learning Management System
• LCMS Learning Content Management System
• 81 of LCMS systems have LMS functionality
• 100 of LCMS vendors claim to be interoperable
  with third party LMS
• 73 of LMS tools can create tests and test
  administration
• 92 of LCMS tools can create tests and test
  administrationLearning Content Management
  Systems Comparative Analysis of Systems Used to
  Construct and Re-Use Learning Objects
  Brandon-Hall, 2003

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Points to ponder!

• If you automate chaos, all you get is very fast
  chaos!
• Marsha Sussman, William M Mercer Consultants
• Implementing systems is no guarantee that
  knowledge will flow any more freely around the
  organisation than jam flows through a sieve
• James Mortleman, Business Technology, 1998

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Why KM Initiatives fail
(Applies equally to Learning Projects!)

• KM not considered as a strategic issue, just
  another IT project
• No Knowledge Champions
• No link between knowledge sharing and knowledge
  application/innovation
• Downsize/outsource without retention of
  knowledge
• Cultural barriers remain, knowledge is power
  syndrome
• Adapted from Amidon Skyrme, Creating the
  Knowledge Based Business, 1997
• Lack of fit to business objectives

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On-line tools used at Royal SunAlliance

• Virtual Classroom used for Windows XP roll-out
  in USA (Centra)
• Synchronous Discussion used in training in
  Latin America (Sametime)
• LMS manages and delivers learning, testing,
  competencies and certifications associated with
  internal Licensing regime for Underwriters
  Claims staff, worldwide. (Saba)
• e-Learning Content Creation content produced
  in house using Saba Publisher, RoboDemo and
  various Flash creation tools
• Autonomy smart search technology linking not
  only data but people

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What next?

• The ability to surface relevant parts of the
  learning infrastructure where its needed the
  most
• all learning events automatically in my Notes
  calendar- automatically launch them too!
• certification expiry warnings by email and
  calendar
• access to experts from my email client
• access to key parts of the learning
  infrastructure from the places they are most
  relevant
• Open source tools
• The learning infrastructure becoming transparent
  to users

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Andy Wooler

• andy.wooler_at_gcc.royalsun.comhttp//www.royalsuna
  lliance.com