EDITOR’S COMMENT Dead certs e.learning age magazine


ISSN 1474 – 5127 published by Bizmedia Ltd


Bizmedia Ltd Loddon Park Farm, New Bath Road Twyford, Reading RG10 9RY Tel: +44 (0) 118 380 0350


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IS E-LEARNING a profession, a craft, a career or just a job? You could argue that it should not be made too distinct from other elements of the learning and development sector. Or you could wonder why it matters. Given that e-learning has emerged at a cracking pace over the last few years you could hardly expect it to have the professional status of, say, law or accountancy. But the formal qualification is there: in the US, for instance, while it is not an absolute requisite, those with degrees in instructional design are likely to elbow their way to the top of the jobs queue ahead of those qualified by experience. Perhaps, though, we should embrace the pluralism and enjoy the fact that many who flourish in the e-learning


industry come to it from odd angles. You only have to read our Job Like Mine article on a regular basis to know that. That said, it is welcome that in the UK a more formal qualification is on its way. Among the flurry of announcements newly merged company City & Guilds Kineo hung on the launch of its updated logo was one on the launch of the first Elearning Apprenticeship Academy in the UK, a set of e-learning qualifications mapped to national standards. The details are yet to be announced but it is an exciting move for the whole industry and one which e.learning


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EDITORIAL ADDRESS e.learning age 500 Chiswick High Road London W4 5RG Tel: +44 (0) 20 8956 2461 editor@bizmedia.co.uk


Editor Peter Williams


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Reporter Margaret Snell margarets@bizmedia.co.uk


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age commends. It would be a positive step if a wide cross-section of the industry could be consulted in framing the details. As the City & Guilds Kineo deal shows, this is an industry on the move and more corporate deals look sure to follow across the sector. To match that movement, first-class qualifications are an essential next step.


Peter Williams Editor


@peterelaeditor Contents


02 News UK’s first MOOC opens its doors


06 Management How to get perfect at practice


07 Learning insight Assessment’s slippery slope


08 Awards The judges part 2, and the shortlist


12 Standards TinCan’s stairway to e-learning heaven


13 Learning skylines Five future visions


14 The analyst’s corner Which bespoke content supplier is best for your organisation?


16 User engagement Stop ‘learning’ and start ‘empowering’: finessing the language of learning


OCTOBER 2013


20 Awards case study Ready, aim… mobile!


18 Cover story Mobile magic: how to make it work


22 Trends The eight that are transforming e-learning


24 Supply-side The e-learning industry is bigger than ever but it’s still a cottage industry


27 The e-learner Games are for grown-ups too


28 Job like mine Tim Gibson’s “learningful” passion


29 Chalkface Lifelong learning, test-tube happiness and the executive squeeze

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