E-learning saves animals
Hundreds of thousands of animals are saved each year from use in education - thanks to computer simulations created by a professor of e-learning at Edinburgh University, David Dewhurst, reports 24dash.
The development of his software programs has been funded by the Lord Dowding Fund for the past 20 years as his computer programs replace the use of animals in university science teaching.
Professor Dewhurst said: "The Lord Dowding Fund is currently helping us develop programs to enable teachers all over the world to design their own courses using our online tools. The fund grant is enabling us to produce different language programs and upgrade existing tools. In addition, it is funding the promotion of the simulations to spread the word."
Corporate training budgets increase
Research on the state of the corporate training industry by Bersin & Associates shows that overall, and across all industries, training budgets increased by 7%.
Technology and financial services companies also reported large budget increases of 10% or more. The technology sector has the highest proportion of companies reporting training staff increases (69%), but this group also had a fair number reporting staff decreases (23%).
Instructor-led classroom training continues to be the delivery method of choice, used for 62% of all formal training. However, use of self-study e-learning continues to rise, now accounting for 15% of all training delivered.
Universities select open source e-learning solutions
The Georgia Institute of Technology, The University of Windsor, and The University of Limerick are using the rSmart Group's rSmart Sakai CLE, a collaboration and learning environment (CLE), SYS-CON Media reports.
"Our rSmart Sakai CLE continues to be the most successful commercial open source enterprise application for education, and it is paving the way for a fundamental shift in the development and business of software in education," said Chris Coppola, president and co-founder of The rSmart Group.
"Our ability to bring these geographically diverse customers on board clearly shows the market demand for an alternative that better meets the needs of colleges and universities around the world."
Share