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e-learning awards
Key lessons
Looking back, Budge can identify some key learning that she believes would benefit
any e-learning project.
• It’s certainly easier to change things when planning, but it’s important to be flexible
and continue to make improvements even after the programme is built.
This early version won awards for multimedia • One person can’t be the expert at everything, so surround yourself with people who
production, so it was clearly recognised as a success are experts and collaborate with them.
from a technical and design point of view, but to be a • Give everyone the chance to help in shaping things. If you’re working with
genuine success it had to be marketed to the multimedia developers, remember you hired them for their skills, so don’t just get them
skydiving community. to build to order, get their input.
It was launched at the US Parachute Industry • Get more informal feedback earlier on. You may have a vision of what you’re setting
Association symposium, an annual event attended by E- out to produce, but taking the time to understand what people really need and how
FLI’s target audience. The initial response from skydiving they will use it can save a lot of time in the long run.
schools was very positive, but many expressed concern • Be hands on in the production phase, because that’s where the vision becomes reality.
that it was too generic in its approach. It is critical that
what’s taught is accurate, as it really could be a case of
life and death, and all skydiving schools adhere to set To complement and improve existing training, Both schools and students have been enthusiastic
standards. However, no two companies teach the same E-FLI was now designed to easily integrate into adopters for the same reason; students spend less
way; some variances being based on a straightforward current courses, and allows schools to insert their time on the ground and more time in the air. That’s
preference for a particular approach, and others on existing and local content such as documents, good for schools because students pay per jump, so
specifics like terrain and location. It was clear that E-FLI images or PowerPoint slides. there’s a direct impact on revenue. It’s good for
needed to build a version that could be customised. The extent of customisation is one of the things that instructors because more practice improves safety,
Initial interest in the product was sufficient to makes the package stand out from most other and their experience so far has been greater activity
attract funding, which meant the redevelopment of elearning solutions, irrespective of the topic. Every and fewer incidents. Schools have found that E-FLI
E-FLI was very different to the original one person E-FLI learning module can be edited from a control reduces time to competence, because students are
effort. A digital agency took over the technical panel using a simple drag and drop interface built in better prepared when they arrive in the classroom.
development with Budge becoming subject matter Flash. This is particularly important for elements such Of course it’s good for students too because they
expert and project manager, although she did remain as dealing with malfunctions, which are quite sensitive. get to jump sooner and more often. It’s particularly
very hands on, and worked full time from the design Schools can make adjustments based on their helpful for weekend jumpers, as it keeps them
agency’s offices. location; they can modify the drop area students see refreshed between jumps. They have access to the
Over nine months, E-FLI was redeveloped to be a by uploading aerial images; they are also able to content for 12 months so can can continue to refresh
fully customisable platform, with most of the content overlay flight patterns based on local conditions, their learning after the initial training.
now dynamic. The new version of E-FLI consists of a which can be adjusted for wind direction and speed. The E-FLI product continues to develop according
series of key modules, based around the learner All types of equipment from aircraft to parachutes to feedback, but work has also begun on another
experience. The content is highly interactive, has very can be modified. application based on a similar model. This latest
rich visuals and is accessed entirely online. E-FLI was re-launched in the US in 2009, to a product will act as an engine that can be easily
The use of rich media has made it much easier to resoundingly positive response, particularly because adapted to cover different topics, the first of which is
explain potentially complex issues; for example 3D it had responded to the feedback. As a result it was likely to be scuba diving.
models demonstrate body positions, rather than an able to secure contracts to supply skydiving schools
instructor drawing a stick man on a blackboard. This around the world and, although the target was the
Barry Sampson is an independent consultant
ensures consistent delivery, irrespective of school or civilian market, the military has been one of the most
instructor. enthusiastic adopters.
e
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learning age march two thousand & ten 11
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