The eLearning Network provides a unique learning opportunity

"Synchronous e-learning now constitutes a third of all e-learning activities in the USA - or ten per cent of the total learning activities in the whole of the USA," revealed the eLN’s chairman, Clive Shepherd. "Moreover, the take-up of synchronous e-learning in Europe is accelerating as organisations seek to cut down on travel expenses and reduce their carbon emissions.

"Synchronous e-learning takes many forms, including instant messaging; Skype; virtual classrooms for small group sessions; webinars, as well as the increasing use of virtual worlds to provide immersive 3D experiences and simulation," he added.

Delegates’ exploration of this subject will be led by Viv Cole, director of professional services at Academy Internet. Speakers include Ron Edwards, the CEO of Ambient Performance, one of the world’s leading consultancies specialising in 3D, mobile and virtual world applications; Patricia Fitzgerald, who leads a team of sales and technical development professionals at Cisco, which the owner of Webex and the inventor of the futuristic videoconferencing system Telepresence; and the former radio journalist, Matthew James.

James now works at NCSL, where he has introduced Webex and uses it to provide peer CPD sessions, policy consultations, online ‘versions’ of conferences and events and software training. As a user of synchronous e-learning, James will reveal the findings of a study of participant learning in a series of online seminars for school leaders.

In addition to examining current developments in virtual worlds and mobile communities, Ambient Performance’s Edwards will lead a Knowledge Café session in which participants explore how organisations, learners and learning designers can best exploit these synchronous e-learning technologies.
Members of the eLN can attend the conference for £100; while the price for non-members is £150. For further details, visit the eLN’s website (www.elearningnetwork.org) or contact the eLN’s Pat Straughan on 01732 850650 or via info@elearningnetwork.org.
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Notes for Editors:

About the eLearning Network

Formed – as The Association for Computer Based Training (TACT) in 1987 – the eLearning Network (eLN), which adopted this title in 2000, is the UK’s foremost professional association
of users and developers of all forms of e-learning. It is a non-profit making body that exists to promote information and best practice among all those who are involved in the e-learning world, as well as act as a networking medium for its members.

For more information about the eLN and eLN events, call +44 (0)1273 561714 or visit www.elearningnetwork.org

Further information from:

Clive Shepherd, The eLearning Network, +44 (0)1273 561714
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0) 1727 860405