The report provides a framework of the diverse e-Learner profiles found throughout the tertiary sector, taking into account: Demographics. Learning orientations (learning styles). Readiness for e-Learning, and Experience of and attitudes to e-Learning.

This report was commissioned by the Ministry and undertaken by Massey University in collaboration with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and Otago Polytechnic.

In the current evolving economic environment, it is important for organisations to effectively implement and utilise e-learning applications, strategies and techniques to up-skill their workforce so that they are more productive, higher performing and competitive in regional, national and global contexts.

Executives today know that business depends on well-skilled and knowledgeable employees who make the right decisions, work effectively and efficiently, and keep their skills up-to-date. Especially in today’s economy, executives want to make successful financial investments when deciding what methods to use to keep staff well trained. Therefore, they demand to know the data and case studies that support new learning approaches like eLearning. This document addresses five key questions that senior executives ask about eLearning benefits and challenges.

In this very succinct download, key lessons from Nestles experience upskilling its global workforce using elearning are described. The importance of learning as an integral part of organisation culture is identified, and the link between elearning and culture is also hinted at when this brief case study mentions internal branding for example.

This brief research report looks at e-learning in small and medium enterprises in Canada to provide an overview which hints at some key factors in utilising this effectively.Though this report was published in 2004, the findings are pertinent, particularly in New Zealand where SME adoption of e-learning is lagging behind the North American experience. The report also outlines very succinctly some of the perceived advantages of elearning – both in theory and in the experience of the SME’s which participated in the research.

This overview from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework is an excellent summary of key aspects of good online facilitation. It begins to explore the complexity of this function and demonstrates why this is a skilled and specialised role in effective elearning.

The recommended download this week is really a whole series of downloads. Peer Group and Collaborative Learning in real and virtual worlds was the theme for the eLearning at Edinburgh Conference held in August. The full conference programme with links to abstracts, presentations and videos is available.

The information is intended for elearning professionals and is heavy going if you are new to the field, but even a quick glance through the abstracts will give you a sense of the scope of collaborative elearning in practice.

This commentary sets out the clear benefits of elearning for the not-for-profit sector. The link between stated advantages and real case studies illustrates what can be achieved. Creative approaches to building capacity in not-for-profit organisations are well served by the flexibility and customisation that elearning provides.

The Benchmarking and Research business activity of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework has released An investigation of the enablers and barriers to industry uptake of e-learning: Small business which examines the current status of e-learning in small business, barriers to the increased use of e-learning solutions and the potential for increased uptake of e-learning by small businesses.

Tertiary Education Minister Anne Tolley has today released the Government’s draft Tertiary Education Strategy 2010-2015 for consultation. “The draft strategy sets out the direction the Government wants tertiary education to take in the next five years. With a growth in demand we need to ensure the best return on the public’s investment.