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, 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 utilise, retain and seek additional learning when these tools and methods are applied. Add KnowledgePool¡¦s live online mentoring to the e-learning service and you have a formula for success.¡¨
The Insights Discovery Learning Styles Assessment is a 10-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:
„h Cool Blue: cautious, precise, deliberate, questioning and formal
Learning style: theoretical, give me the details, intellectual, thorough processing, research
„h Fiery Red: competitive, demanding, determined, strong-willed and purposeful
Learning style: action-oriented, get to the point, practical action, immediate, fast
„h Earth Green: caring, encouraging, sharing, patient and relaxed
Learning style: reflective, give me time to review structured activities, stands back, cautious
„h 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 can help each of the preferred learning styles and includes:
„h 24 X 7, online, industry-certified, live mentors or ¡¥e-structors¡¦
„h Real-time chat forums
„h Extensive, continually updated database of Frequently Asked Questions
„h Dynamic test-preparation assignments with real-time response
„h Mentor-monitored message boards
„h Downloadable training materials
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About KnowledgePool
KnowledgePool provides information technology (IT) and business skills training to corporate customers, government agencies and IT professionals through instructor-led classes and through its e-Learning service. KnowledgePool presently has training operations in the UK, Ireland, France, Finland, Portugal and Denmark and a joint venture company with Fujitsu in the USA - KnowledgePool Inc.
KnowledgePool¡¦s e-Learning service is supported by online mentors who are professionally trained, experienced personnel located in the UK, Singapore and the USA. KnowledgePool¡¦s objective has been to successfully replicate the traditional classroom in an online environment with students having access to online tutoring and mentoring, downloadable training materials and real time chat forums. Online students are able to learn at a time that suits their lifestyle, regardless of where they may be in the world.
KnowledgePool was named the UK Training Company of the Year 1999 by Computing magazine. The company¡¦s clients include organisations from the retail; financial services; pharmaceutical; chemical and technology industries together with government departments. KnowledgePool has strategic relationships with partners such as Microsoft, NETg and the British Computer Society.
The company is part of the KnowledgePool consortium, the other consortium members being the Fujitsu group¡¦s IT training businesses. Founded in 1994, the consortium is a provider of IT training services with operations in Europe, Asia and North America. The company is a subsidiary of ICL, the e-Business IT services company
www.knowledgepool.com
About Insights
Founded in 1987, Insights Learning & Development is an innovative, international learning organization with offices across Europe, Canada, and the U.S. The company¡¦s focus is on increasing the effectiveness of individuals, teams, and organizations through its workshops and consulting in teambuilding, sales training, and corporate learning. Insights recently opened its first U.S. Learning Center in Austin, Texas, to bring its unique model and workshop curriculum to the United States. Insights has a strong national and international network of experienced consultants and partners.
www.insights.com
Helen Buckland
