E-learning

E-learning is the use of information and communication technologies to support teaching and learning. This might mean learning through a CDROM, a DVD, from a web page, a blog, a mobile phone or a combination of any of these.

A 'learning object' is essentially a file or small collection of files that address a particular topic. They often include more than one type of media and may be interactive. Examples include a short video sequence, a piece of text, an image or diagram. The idea behind the learning object is that it is a small (chunk) of learning that can be reused in different modules, Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) or institutions.

SCIE's e-learning resources

• Law and social work - Ten interactive learning objects on aspects of Law and social work.
  
  
• An introduction to the mental health of older people - Ten interactive learning objects on key mental health issues for older people.
  
  
• Poverty, parenting and social exclusion - Nine interactive learning objects on understanding the types and implications of poverty.
  
  
• Children of prisoners - Three interactive learning objects that provide an introduction to this area.
  
  
• An Introduction to Residential Child Care - Three interactive learning objects that provide an introduction to this area.
  
  
• Communication skills - Ten interactive learning objects looking at the principles of good communication skills and how to apply these to practice.
  

e-Learning resources from other institutions

A 'learning (object) repository' - is a digital library that holds learning objects. Learning objects on particular topics can be browsed or searched.

• IDeA - Learning Pool - Learning Pool is the e-learning exchange for the public sector.  Learning Pool’s core e-learning service for Council officers features over 40 e-learning courses, including courses that relate to the social care agenda. In addition, customers have the ability to create their own tailored content quickly and simply, plus the opportunity to share their content with other local authorities. The new Modern Councillor service for elected Members from Learning Pool features 16 monthly modules on today’s topics, all developed by local government experts. The short, easy to use courses allow Councillors to learn in privacy and at their own time and pace and are an ideal alternative for Councillors who can’t attend traditional classroom based development activities.
  
  
• JORUM - Jorum is a free online repository service for teaching and support staff in UK further and higher education institutions, helping to build a community for the sharing, reuse and repurposing of learning and teaching materials.
  
  
• Learning Exchange - Produced by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRRIS), formally known as the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education  (SIESWE), The Learning Exchange is a digital library of learning resources for social services and social work education and training, The resources include information sheets, official publications, interactive learning resources, video clips, case studies and radio broadcasts, all of which may be used for non-commercial, educational purposes.
  
  
• NewsFilm online - Newsfilm Online is planned to be one of the most exciting resources to be offered to higher and further education in the UK. 3,000 hours of television news and cinema newsreels, taken from the huge collection of the ITN/Reuters archive, is to be made available online in high quality format for teaching, learning and research.

See also:

• Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) infoNet  - JISC infoNet aims to be the UK's leading advisory service for managers in the post-compulsory education sector promoting the effective strategic planning, implementation and management of information and learning technology to support the core activities of learning, teaching, research and business processes.
  
  
• SWAP (Social Policy and Social Work) – Resources pages - SWAP is the UK subject centre for social policy and social work, one of the Higher Education Academy's 24 discipline based centres. SWAP provides support for the learning and teaching communities across UK higher education. The resources section includes publications, digital learning resources, themed resources and links to external resources
  
  
• Skills for Care - Learning Resource Network (LRN) - Skills for Care  http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/ supports employers to improve standards of care provision through various means, such as developing new ways of working and delivering services, workforce planning and workforce intelligence. It has also created a flexible qualifications framework and is involved in improving the status of the social care workforce. Skills for Care is not a training provider, but it supports partnership working through projects such as The Learning Resource Network. An example of their work is the London Health Care Libraries Project http://www.londonlinks.ac.uk/scp.htm, a project to improve access to learning and resources for social care workers. The libraries involved in the project are listed in the Social Care Libraries and Information Services section(http://www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/libraries/index.asp)