eLearning in an NHS library
Seona Hamilton
eLearning is defined as learning which is delivered and accessed via electronic means. This definition can encompass the use of video and electronic audio material such as cassettes and CDs, however generally it is understood to refer to training accessed via a computer, whether via the Internet, an intranet or CD-ROM, which usually includes interactive and multimedia elements.
Some of the advantages of elearning, as a complement to traditional methods of training, are its flexibility in letting the learner choose where and when to access their learning. This is extremely advantageous in the NHS environment, where shift patterns and staff restrictions can make it difficult for formal taught sessions to be organised.
North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Division has formally offered access to licensed elearning courseware for several years, beginning with a few courses delivered via stand alone pcs and progressing to over a hundred courses delivered and tracked via a Learner Management System, Thomson NETg’s SkillVantage Manager.
eLearning in the NGD Library Service
In 2000 it was decided to incorporate the Division’s stand-alone Learning Centres, staffed and managed by the Training and Education Department, with the Library Service. This decision was taken in part because of lower levels of use of the Learning Centres than had been expected, and it was felt that re-siting the resources at locations already widely used by staff would increase awareness of their availability.
Initially, access to elearing resources for staff consisted of a small selection of courses, consisting of a range of soft-skills and IT topics, delivered via CD-ROM on dedicated stand-alone PCs. Users were required to pre-book a pc and their progress was recorded using a paper-based system.
One of the advantages to this system was that staff were on hand to offer help to users requiring assistance with their course, but much of the flexibility of the elearning format was lost with access being limited to library opening hours, and subject to the availability of a PC.
Learndirect Scotland Branding
As part of the development strategy for elearning in the North Glasgow Division it was decided during 2001 to apply for Learndirect Scotland Branded Centre status for the Library & Learning Centres at the Western Infirmary, Gartnavel General, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Stobhill Hospital sites. This would allow the Library & eLearning Service to benchmark itself against established quality criteria and identify areas for future development.
The branding assessment process takes the format of a self-assessment application pack measuring the learning centre’s facilities and services against the Learndirect Scotland Pledge to Learners [1] followed by a visit by a Learndirect Scotland assessor to the centre and the submission of a report to the Branding panel. A successful application results in the award of branded status for three years.
Glasgow Royal Infirmary Library & Learning Centre achieved Learndirect Scotland branded status in September 2001, followed by Gartnavel General and the Western Infirmary in November of the same year and Stobhill Hospital in April 2002.
Achievement of branded status also allowed the Library & eLearning Service to apply for a grant via the Scottish University for Industry (SufI) Capital Modernisation Fund. As well as purchasing new IT hardware such as pcs, printers and scanners for the learning centres this allowed investment in new courseware and the purchase of a Learner Management System (LMS), SkillVantage Manager from Thomson NETg.
Use of a LMS, rather than an ad hoc system of stand-alone pcs meant that it was now possible for courseware to be hosted on the library server allowing access from any pc connected to the Division network via the Intranet. This allowed all staff in the Division to access learning via their desktop creating a far more flexible service that took into account the varying shift patterns and locations of staff within North Glasgow Division.
Another advantage of the LMS was the ability to manage access to courses via a simple web-based interface using automatically generated usernames and passwords. Staff could apply online for an elearning password and have courses allocated to their account without having to come to the library.
Skillvantage Manager, like all LMSs, not only manages access to elearning courseware but, with the inclusion of a reporting facility, allows centre staff to track usage of the courseware by staff group, location and course. This information can be used to monitor the level of usage for individual courses ensuring that provision is tailored as far as possible to the requirements of users and that under-represented user groups can be identified.
The eLearning Centres give all members of staff access to computing facilities and study space, as well as support and advice about eLearning opportunities both within the Division and externally.
Collaboration between eLearning and other Library Services
The location of the Learning Centres within the Library Service allows a wide range of learning resources to be promoted and accessed from the one place. Users requestng information or training on a particular subject can be referred to a book, an elearning course, a website or, where available, a face-to-face teaching session.
In the case of basic IT training, the Library & eLearning Service runs regular small group sessions intended to facilitate access to further learning whether that be the European Computer Driving License delivered via elearning, Information Skills training sessions, or research.
Library & eLearning Service staff also collaborate with other NGD departments providing training to ensure that users are aware of the opportunities and routes of study available to them, and are supported in their learning.
Role of the eLearning Manager
As part of the inter-departmental collaboration between the Library Service and the Training & Education Department, the post of eLearning Manager was created in 2003. The eLearning Manager post is funded by the Training & Education Department and reports to the Head of Training, Education & Development and the Library Services Manager.
The role of the eLearning Manager is to coordinate, promote and develop elearning in North Glasgow University Hospitals Division and to collaborate with other training providers within Division to maximise use of available resources, and flexibility and choice for learners.
Overcoming Barriers to eLearning
Two significant reported barriers to staff accessing elearning have been lack of basic IT skills and lack of time to access courses in the workplace.
As mentioned above, in response to the lack of IT skills as a barrier to the Library & eLearning Service’s mission of equity of access to services and resources [2], a programme of Basic IT sessions run weekly at each site. Less confident users also appreciate being able to access their courses within the learning centre so that there is a member of staff available to support them if required.
Although most of the courses which NGD subscribe to are only accessible over the Division Intranet, Learndirect Scotland branded status has allowed the service to give staff access over 200 Internet-based elearning courses via Learndirect Scotland’s Skillnet LMS and this has gone some way to meeting the demand for courses accessible from outside the workplace, such as from home PCs.
The Scottish Executive funded NHS Scotland ECDL Project has also proved very popular with staff, partly due to the fact that it can also be accessed via the Internet and also because it leads to the award of a formal qualification.
To support users studying off-site and out of the Learning Centre opening hours a set of webpages has been created on the Library Service website to provide help and information about courses. [3] Users are also provided with induction packs and optional face-to-face induction sessions when embarking on an elearning course which includes instructions on how to solve the most common problems experienced.
ELearning is not an appropriate method of learning for all and some users do find the isolation of lone study and self-motivation required offputting. Where possible, other routes into learning are found for these users but it is an indication that even when the technological challenges are overcome, elearning is not always a substitute for traditional classroom-based learning.
Future Developments
In response to demand from users, the Library & eLearning Service is working towards the provision of all courseware via the Internet or on CD-ROM to allow access from outside the workplace. To achieve this NGD has formed a consortium with the other Greater Glasgow Divisions to look at the purchase of an Internet-based Learner Management System. As with most elearning resources there are significant economies of scale to be achieved in consortium purchasing.
The service is also facilitating in the purchase, promotion and management of more clinical elearning courses, and investigating the options for creating bespoke elearning courseware in-house using the Lectora content creator tool.
Conclusion
The experience of elearning within the North Glasgow University Hospitals Division has been a positive one. This method of learning has proved popular with staff who find it difficult to fit in attendance at classroom-based teaching sessions with their shift patterns.
It is important to recognise that there can be barriers in accessing elearning, as in all types of learning, such as lack of IT skills, access to appropriate hardware, and differing learning styles, and that elearning complements and does not replace traditional teaching methods.
The service has grown with the demand for courses and has adapted to meet the needs of its users. It is essential that this continues to be the case and that any future developments are driven by user demand and the priorities of the Division.
References
[1] Learndirect Scotland, Our pledge to learners. Available: http://www.lds4partners.com/downloads/PledgeApr04.pdf (checked October 2004)
[2] North Glasgow University Hospitals Division Library & eLearning Service Mission Statement. Available: http://www.northglashealthinfo.org.uk/mission_statement.htm (Checked October 2004)
[3] NGD Library website: eLearning. Available: http://www.northglasgow.org.uk/elearning.htm (checked October 2004)
If anyone would like more information on any aspect of this article please contact the author.
Seona Hamilton, eLearning Manager
North Glasgow University Hospitals Division Library & eLearning Service
Tel: 0141 211 1239