First e-learning provider to offer Insights Evaluator to online students

Citation

(2001), "First e-learning provider to offer Insights Evaluator to online students", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2001.00325aab.002

First e-learning provider to offer Insights Evaluator to online students

First e-learning provider to offer Insights Evaluator to online students

Keywords: Internet, Training, Learning styles

KnowledgePool, the e-learning, IT and business skills training company, is further expanding its Internet-based training with the introduction of a preferred learning style evaluator through its training site, http://www.knowledgepool.com

KnowledgePool, in partnership with Insights Learning & Development Ltd, now offers students an online evaluation system that explores their individual strengths and weaknesses. The Insights Discovery System Evaluator and Report assesses personality, decision making and communication styles. Through the evaluation system, students are equipped with the knowledge of their preferred learning styles before embarking on any training. KnowledgePool provides a variety of features and resources through its training service that are applicable to each learning style. A tele-coaching session with an accredited Insights facilitator can also be purchased to help students understand the report and how it can help their job search or training needs.

"E-learning has predominantly been a 'one-size-fits-all' approach", says Paul Butler, chief executive officer of KnowledgePool. "We believe that the preferred learning style evaluator will not only help individual students learn more effectively, but also motivate them to learn by building a 'road map' based on their individual psychological type, and their learning preference."

Butler adds: "By suiting students' personalities and providing the motivation inherent to their learning styles, we believe that students are more likely to utilize, retain and seek additional learning when these tools and methods are applied."

The Insights discovery learning styles assessment is a ten-question evaluator in which students rate various characteristics and Insights provides a report based on those answers. At its most simplistic level, Insights defines four psychological styles, each with its own approach to learning:

1. 1.

   Cool blue: cautious, precise, deliberate, questioning and formal. Learning style: theoretical, give me the details, intellectual, thorough processing research.

2. 2.

   Fiery red: competitive, demanding, determined, strong-willed and purposeful. Learning style: action-oriented, get to the point, practical action, mediate, fast.

3. 3.

   Earth green: caring, encouraging, sharing, patient and relaxed. Learning style: reflective, give me time to review structured activities, stands back, cautious.

4. 4.

   Sunshine yellow: sociable, dynamic, demonstrative, enthusiastic and persuasive. Learning style: experiential, get me involved, interactive, spontaneous and sociable.

"If we're moving to a world of independent learners, then we must teach them how to learn", said Doug Upchurch, managing director of Insights. "The key to improving e-learning with a preferred learning style evaluation is to then provide learning components within the training that cater for each style, and we believe KnowledgePool is a leader within this space."

KnowledgePool's e-learning service aims to help each of the preferred learning styles and includes:

• •

  24 × 7 online, industry-certified, live mentors or "e-structors";

• •

  real-time chat forums;

• •

  extensive, continually updated database of frequently asked questions;

• •

  dynamic test-preparation assignments with real-time response;

• •

  mentor-monitored message boards;

• •

  downloadable training materials.