Video Arts is launching a new service which enables individual organisations to deliver customised versions of its learning programmes as apps for their employees, on stand 112 at Learning Technologies 2011 (Olympia 2, London).
The new service extends the company’s ‘build to order’ capabilities, which already include creating customised and branded learning portals, virtual learning centres and online ‘skills libraries’ for clients.
Martin Addison, Managing Director of Video Arts, said: “Any organisation can licence whatever digital video and e-learning content they need from our extensive library and we can build them a customised and branded learning experience. Those who really want to put the power in the hands of the learner can now deliver their chosen content on mobile devices, as an app with interactive exercises.”
Addison predicts that ‘customised apps’ will become a growth area in organisational development, as smartphones (such as Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android) and tablet computers (such as Apple’s iPad) have opened the door for a new era of portable and convenient learning.
“With touch sensitive, full colour screens, these devices offer a dynamic, new way for individuals to consume learning content,” he said. “Users of smartphones or tablet computers usually love them and want to increase their functionality. This means that, for organisations, these devices represent a great opportunity to deliver proven learning content to employees whenever they need it.”
learndirect has already licensed Video Arts content to create ten interactive apps for the consumer market, covering personal development skills for the workplace such as assertiveness, sales skills, time management, interview skills and presentation skills.
These apps provide 10-12 minutes of interactive learning, with high quality video clips featuring well-known actors such as James Nesbitt, Dawn French, John Cleese, Hugh Laurie, Matthew Horne and Kris Marshall. Exercises are included in which users are asked multiple choice questions and they gain feedback on their responses. Links are also provided to further development resources.
“In corporate training, the concept of providing short chunks of learning just-in-time is well established,” said Martin Addison. “The fact that this just-in-time convenience is now available through hand-held devices will accelerate the market for ‘anywhere, anytime’ learning.”
Martin Addison will be presenting a free seminar explaining how organisations can make learning more entertaining, effective and longer-lasting by using video for coaching, e-learning, face-to-face training and mobile learning.
For further information, please call Video Arts on 0845 601 2531 or e-mail info@videoarts.co.uk
Background notes: Video Arts has been the UK’s leading provider of video-based learning since 1972, when it was founded by John Cleese and Sir Antony Jay, who wrote the Yes, Minister TV series. The company has moved from 16mm films, VHS, DVD and CDROM to online video. Now part of the Tinopolis group, it has won over 200 awards for its learning content.
