Ireland’s Open Training College recently won a prestigious First Place by the International E-Learning Award committee in the category ‘Blended Learning – Academic Division’.
About the International E-Learning Awards
The International E-Learning Awards (IELA) recognise the best work in e-learning, mobile learning, and blended learning. They cover two divisions: Academic and Business/Industry. The IELA Awards Committee evaluates all submissions, and they look for a variety of attributes. These include, among others, educational soundness and effectiveness, usability, and overall significance. The judges are e-learning experts from around the world.
Blended learning with Open Training College
At the awards ceremony, Open Training College received the award for their online module devised for Social Care students, entitled ‘Professional Practice and Ethics’.
Blended learning combines classroom learning and online learning. The Open Training College has students from all over Ireland. Therefore, the online model allows the students to stay in contact with the college. In addition, students can engage with one another in between their days in the classroom.
“A lot of hard work has gone into the fine-tuning of the blended learning model over the years. Listening to the students and actioning their feedback has all helped improve the model, so I think it’s as much their award as ours,” remarked Raymond Watson, Head of Online Learning at the Open Training College.
The Open Training College prides itself on supporting their students through online learning. As a result, students have access to flexible learning, as well as the ability to study anytime, anywhere.
“The model of delivery has been developed and implemented over a number of years for our students. We have certainly seen them benefit from its use. It’s especially nice to now receive the formal recognition from such a respected organisation as the IELA,” said Dr Karen Finnerty, College Director at the Open Training College.
