Our approach to e-learning at LDN Apprenticeships
2020 was unprecedented in many ways, not least in the huge shift in how we learn. Pretty much overnight, classroom training was out and e-learning became an essential element for any learning organisation.
Fortunately for LDN Apprenticeships, we did not have to start from scratch. With our online learning management systems up and running, we were already adapting our delivery model to a digital flipped classroom approach. So the key challenge for us was to up our e-learning game in a much shorter timeframe than planned.
Our Approach
For the last year, our Head of Content, Katrine Carstens, has worked closely with the rest of the team to shake up all things e-learning here at LDN Apprenticeships.
Katrine Carstens - Head of Content
‘Up until last year, our learning content was delivered as face-to-face workshops, spread over the duration of the apprenticeship journey’ said Katrine.
‘However, the intention was always to convert this into a scalable, online delivery model that caters for a wider geographic spread of apprentices, as well as monthly starts.
To make this happen, I joined LDN in early March 2020 - just before the first lockdown hit us. This turned out to be good timing, as the process of converting our content to online learning suddenly became much more urgent!’.
Katrine was soon joined by Jasmine May, Content Creation Co-ordinator, and a few months later by Content Apprentice, Annie Williams.
‘Since then, we’ve been flat out adapting content and creating engaging digital learning for our apprentices’.
Katrine adds ‘we’re constantly adding new skills to our content creation toolbelt and the latest is our e-learning authoring tool, Knowbly. Using this, we can create interactive and engaging content in a fast and efficient way – an absolute must for us!’
Digital Marketing apprentices were the first to experience our Knowbly authored courses, delivered through our learning management system, Litmos. The course features interactive resources woven together with narrated video presentations hosted by Digital Marketing Skills Coach, Howard.
LDN has also partnered with external content providers, such as City & Guilds and Learnbox, to ensure we provide the best, up-to-date content for our apprentices.
So, what’s next for the Content Team?
‘Well, we have ambitious plans for new programmes and can’t wait to work with our Skills Coaches and other subject matter experts to make this happen!’ says Katrine.
Our Content
Part of transforming e-learning at LDN Apprenticeships included developing Content in partnership with experienced industry professionals. Third-party content partnerships incorporate the likes of City & Guilds and the Publishing Association to name a few!
Even our very own LDN Skills Coaches have joined in on the action to design, create and narrate interactive courses for their apprentices making for a digestible and accessible approach to their online delivery.
Howard Trent - Digital Marketing Skills Coach
LDN Digital Marketing Skills Coach, Howard Trent has recently re-designed his courses on Litmos into a digital-friendly and narrated sequence.
‘It’s fair to say that I was excited to start making online content for Digital Marketing as interactive and engaging as possible - video and audio content is a good way of achieving that!’ says Howard.
Whilst discussing the benefits of e-learning, Howard shared ‘hosting interactive material online allows apprentices to move through the content at their own pace whilst in the comfort of their own home.’
‘Litmos is a great tool for the learners to support their learning and provides access to a range of relevant recourses such as quizzes and industry-focused articles to further their progress.’
Part of the new delivery model includes regular live sessions with apprentices via Zoom. Here is one of the live sessions in action!
During monthly live sessions and individual coaching sessions, Skills Coaches ensure to make time to talk about the content covered on Litmos over the passing weeks.
‘Live sessions are a great opportunity for apprentices to bring their thoughts and experiences to the group, emulating a face-to-face discussion with their peers whilst allowing us to take on feedback and improvements on the content if needs be.’ states Howard!
Our Apprentices
Our learners are at the absolute heart of everything that we do and getting constant feedback from them on the effectiveness and enjoyment of their learning journey is a crucial part of our content development. So, what do our apprentices say?
“My online learning experience has been very useful for me and I’ve enjoyed using Litmos, it has also made viewing content fun and easy.”
“Litmos is extremely user-friendly and makes navigating the courses very easy. The activities I have done are enjoyable as there is a variety of different tasks making learning easier and more interactive!”