Flying high

E.learning Age, Jun 2007 by Carruth, Jenny

The programme structure

The learning team at ebc devised a modular structure allowing the recruit to study in short sequences. The formatted syllabus is based on different stages of the flight and a reference button is available within each screen so that the recruit can refer back.

The recruits can access the modules in any order, according to their need and personal preference. On full completion of a module a knowledge check is made available to ascertain if the recruit has fully understood the information in the module.

By doing it this way the recruit's progress is recorded for bookmarking and reporting purposes and the following information can be recorded;

* When the course has been accessed by the recruit.

* Which modules have been accessed (not started, started, completed).

* Length of time spent accessing each module.

* Number of times each module is accessed.

* Scores for quizzes and tests.

* Date of completion of the e-learning course (i.e. all modules and tests completed).

VAA is able to store and monitor additional key information using a full tracking database.

The expected benefit

In the six months following the launch of the programme, VAA experienced the following expected benefits:

* Implementing the e-learning did indeed reduce the face-to-face SEP course by 1.5 days per student, and assessors are now amazed at how knowledgeable recruits are when continuing on to Crawley.

* By releasing 1.5 days per student from the course VAA has obtained 144 instructor days to commit to additional courses.

* The number of course failures per annum has dropped from 27 in 2005 to one in 2006. At a cost of £3,750 per failure, this has produced a benefit to VAA of £93,750 this year.

The unexpected benefit

On top of the benefits VAA predicted by using blended e-learning, a number of unexpected benefits have also taken place:

* The programme can be used as part of its cabin crew 'return to work' training process, which was originally a seven day face-to-face course, and has now been reduced to six with the incorporation of e-learning.

* VAA has also built the e-learning into its 'CSS Promotions' course, used to train supervisory cabin crew. Taken by 200 staff every year, this course enhances the safety Training received.

* VAA has also begun to use the e-learning for those staff failing pre-flight briefings. Staff can now use the e-learning, take the exam and then return to flying status much quicker.

* The tracking component of the software enables VAA to see who will need more support before the face-to-face element of the course.

The investment in this project was £109,725 and the VAA team had promised the business they would receive payback on this investment within two years.

Looking back on it

The VAA team were fairly sceptical about putting any element of SEP into an e-learning format. They were initially convinced it wouldn't work.

This was the first e-learning development programme for most of VAA subject matter experts (SMEs) involved, and they were already under time pressure from existing training commitments.