New risk-free pilot for online courseware

Citation

(1999), "New risk-free pilot for online courseware", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 23 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.1999.00323aab.003

New risk-free pilot for online courseware

New risk-free pilot for online courseware

Keywords Communications, Interaction, Learning, Management development

Xebec McGraw-Hill, the interactive learning company, has launched a risk-free initiative that enables organizations with an intranet to pilot its online management development and communications skills courses.

The new pilot gives three months' unlimited use of ten online courses, covering presentations, business finance and managing people skills. Called Xebec Online, these courses feature multimedia, exercises, drama and humour. Each lasts between 6 and 90 minutes and includes practical tips and techniques in a highly interactive format.

"Online learning is ideal for competency-based self-study via learning centres, dedicated PCs in the workplace or at the desktop and also as a supplement to trainer-led sessions", said Kim Whitmore, director of Xebec McGraw-Hill. "With our new pilot, you can test the cultural and technical 'fit' of real courses, not samplers, with full support. You can also try out the discussion forums and centralized administration that come with our online courses."

A three-month pilot costs £2,000 but the fee is redeemable against future online purchases.

All Xebec Online courses automatically adapt themselves to suit company and network requirements, delivering either high quality video, non-video or non-audio versions depending on the available bandwidth. This allows users to interact with the material as normal without decreasing their learning value.

The online system exploits an intranet's communications features enabling students to participate in discussion groups where they can ask questions, exchange information and share experiences with their colleagues and tutors. It also includes a centralized administration and tracking facility which allows trainers to monitor and assess what people are doing, when they are accessing training, how long they are spending and how well they are doing.

Xebec McGraw-Hill plans to launch a further 90 online courses by June 1999.

For more details, call Xebec McGraw-Hill free on 0800 585889. Or contact them at Wellington House, Bath Road, Woodchester, Stroud, Glos GL5 5EY. Tel: +44 (0) 1453 835482; Fax: +44 (0) 1453 832241; Internet: http://www.xebec.online.com