Collaboration between a group of Brighton-based employers and the universities of Sussex and Brighton has resulted in a new e-learning design course that aims to address local skills shortages.

The new Postgraduate Certificate in e-Learning Design has been developed to help both practising e-learning designers and people who would like to work in the industry to gain a recognised qualification.

The first of its kind in Europe, the course is run jointly by the universities of Sussex and Brighton.  The certificate provides a qualification that is recognised by leading e-learning companies and is acting as an industry benchmark.

The course was developed following a comprehensive training-needs analysis carried out by Sussex University with members of the Brighton e-Learning Alliance (BeLA).  BeLA is made up of a group of Brighton-based companies, and aims to make Brighton and Hove the European centre of excellence in e-learning.

The industry experts were also closely involved with the development of the course. In discussion with academics they helped to define the course content, ensuring that the programme meets the needs of local employers.

New media company Epic, a BeLA group member, has been delivering high-quality e-learning for almost 20 years and is one of Brighton’s largest employers. The company’s head of e-learning production, Keith Landsborough, said:

“For Epic and other BeLA members the PG Certificate in e-learning Design is a fantastic realisation. The universities of Sussex and Brighton have responded to our needs for a course that truly reinforces Brighton and Hove as the European centre of excellence for the e-learning industry.

“E-learning is constantly evolving as new research leads to new instructional models and treatments, enhanced by new and emerging technologies. E-learning practice does not remain static and, by building close links, both the BeLA group of companies and our local universities will seek to make the most of new opportunities.”

The first cohort of students, from companies and organisations including Epic, Cogapp, Brighton & Hove City Council, Academy Internet and Worth Media, is currently halfway through the course.

Nikki Ashley, from Academy Internet, said: ”This is the most practical ‘academic’ course I‘ve ever attended. The structure and content form a great basis for taking us through the relevant learning, but there is also ample opportunity for questions and discussions, so that the learning can be understood and applied in a very practical way. I’ve already applied a number of things to my work. I‘ve learned not only new information which has filled knowledge gaps, but also been able to reinforce existing knowledge and identify areas I want to avoid! It has greatly increased my confidence as an e-learning designer.”

Gavin Mallory, who is a producer at Brighton-based consultancy, design and production company Cogapp, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the course so far. I particularly enjoy the amount of discussion we are encouraged to have in class, because I prefer this way of learning to making notes while being talked at. I have considered the learning theories we've looked at in some of my work at Cogapp, which I hope helps make the finished product more successful.”

For further information on the Postgraduate Certificate in e-learning Design go to www.sussex.ac.uk/informatics or call Dr Judith Good on 01273 873228.