Virtual training – real world skills

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Not so long ago learning new skills meant taking time out to go to college, enrolling on a training course or wading through mountains of books, but the internet is changing all of that.
E-learning is revolutionising the way Irish people learn. Now all you need is a PC with a broadband internet connection and you can “attend” a course on practically anything from the comfort of your own home.

What is E-Learning

E-learning is an exciting new form of distance learning that harnesses the power of the internet to deliver interactive course material online. The beauty of E-Learning is its flexibility: you learn at your own pace, at times that suit you, from any computer with an internet connection anywhere in the world.
You don’t have to travel to the classroom – the classroom comes to you. Course material is available 24/7, and with newer e-learning technologies you can even attend “live” online classrooms and interact with your tutor and “classmates” in real time.
In fact, you can cover almost anything you can accomplish in a traditional classroom or training room, all from the comfort of your own PC.

E-learning in Ireland

The business world has known about the advantages of e-learning for a long time. By implementing e-learning systems large companies have slashed training costs, boosted productivity and improved the skill base of their workforce.
Uptake among smaller businesses and the general public has been slower, largely due to the inconsistent availability of broadband internet services here, but that situation is changing fast.
“When we started off the roll-out of broadband was quite slow,” said Edel Barrett, Client Services Officer with FÁS eCollege, the online learning arm of the Training and Employment Authority. “We’ve seen growth year on year, but it’s grown far more in the last two years since the availability of broadband has improved,” she said.

What’s available?

You can find courses online covering practically anything: from making paper aeroplanes to learning a new language, from basic business skills to fully accredited postgraduate doctorate courses delivered by traditional universities.
Whether you just want to learn for fun, or are looking for a fully accredited qualification to boost your career, there’s sure to be an online course out there to suit you.

Where to start

To find out more about the basics of e-learning it’s worth taking a look at the Irish Library Services “Life Steps” e-learning guide.
The guide  takes you through 15 steps that provide background on e-learning, what you’ll need to get started, how to get the most out of it and how to find a course to suit you. There are also links to other sites offering all kinds of  e-learning resources.
Another useful site, particularly if you’re looking for career related training, is the FÁS eCollege.

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