UK Training Industry Press Releases

Elearning expert Clive Shepherd will speak at The Institute of IT Training (IITT) Training 2010 conference on ‘New Blended Learning'. Chairman of the eLearning Network and author of the Blended Learning Cookbook, Clive's knowledge of the topic is unrivalled and he believes the entire concept of blended learning needs to be re-evaluated.

"People have longed talked about blended learning, but it's about more than just a simple combination of different media," says Clive. "In fact the media you use is almost an irrelevance. What's important is the learning strategy - combining them sensibly."

Clive is delighted to be speaking at Training 2010 and plans to cover the full spectrum of blended learning topics during his session: "We'll be examining the use of a range of learning methods, including self-directed learning, one-to-one, live group and asynchronous group activities such as groups and wikis."

Throughout his session Clive hopes to move trainers away from the misconception that technology should be the focus for blended learning: "The important issues are nothing to do with technology, and everything to do with social context. That context may be more or less facilitated by technology. Technology can certainly reduce costs, but it also - importantly - facilitates different social contexts for learners, putting them in touch with people they would never have contacted before."

"The research shows that the choice of media has little effect on learning. Who you're learning with has a far greater effect."

The Training 2010 conference will cover a variety of learning and development topics and through Clive's session delegates will be able to bring each of these events together:  "The ultimate aim of the new blended learning is to see the whole learning cycle through, not just to perpetuate the idea of learning as a series of separate learning events."

Clive's session is entitled ‘The new blended learning" and runs on September 8^th. The IITT conference and exhibition, Training 2010, takes place in London on September 7-8. For more details, see http://bit.ly/IITTConf10. The event Twitter hashtag is #IITT10.

Matthew Harland
Marketing Co-ordinator
The Institute of IT Training
Tel: 0845 006 8858
email: mharland@iitt.org.uk

For more information on the IITT, visit:

 The Institute of IT Training web site: www.iitt.org.uk

 The Training Professional Network social networking site

 The IITT Conference (7 - 8 September, London)

Notes to Editors:

The Institute of IT Training (IITT) is a self-governing, not-for-profit professional body for training professionals. It was established in 1995 and since then has grown on an annual basis. In February 2010 the Institute completed a management buyout from membership and research organisation, the National Computing Centre and is now a self-governing body.

Today, the organisation has circa 3,500 individual members and 400 accredited corporate members.

Through a range of membership, certification, accreditation, events and bespoke consultancy services, the Institute focuses on enhancing and recognising the skills and professional status of individuals and organisations engaged in training activities, and assessing the quality of training services.

NB: This news release is issued in accordance with Clause 1.2j of the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion and therefore cannot be subject to a transaction of any kind.