FOX E-Learning

Background & Research

In a time of financial turmoil and decreasing or flattening IT budgets, there is a danger of indiscriminate, non strategic cost cutting. In particular training budgets can be reduced to a point where the quality of the product purchased may be significantly reduced. Now, this is the best time to take an intelligent look at IT costs and look for ways to optimize spending and, consequently, get more for less. E-Learning is one way of achieving this by ensuring that we can still up-skill our workforce to advance and grow our IT process harmonisations and efficiencies.

Here at Fox IT, we understand that there are many ways to improve efficiency, reduce operational expenses, and increase the chances of successful investments. Through working in partnership with our global blue chip customer base, we have discovered that travel and expense budgets being frozen which significantly reduces or even eliminates the ability to train their staff. Therefore, E-Learning is being targeted as a growth area for many organisations, with some up to 50% of learning needs to be on line.

Through market research we have discovered an array of training offerings which have a focus on computer animation and unnecessary technology in an attempt to entertain the learner as if it were a video game. Here at Fox we have developed an E-Learning suite that gives the student the learning experience that they have asked for and that they deserve.

Training Managers and Directors constantly monitor feedback on training providers, individual lecturers as well as examination success rates. With this in mind, using Fox IT’s FOX E-Learning™, we are able to offer a consistent, affordable, quality solution which replicates a classroom experience at a fraction of the cost.

Working to Standards

As Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) look to “How effectively are challenging targets being used to raise standards for all learners?”, we too at Fox are adopting this approach. Our emphasis is heavily based upon the creation of a conducive learning environment and an enjoyable learning experience. Using Ofsted guidelines our managing consultant and principal lecturer, with a formal academic background in education and psychology as well as over a decade of IT Management experience, has compiled our solution and is quoted as saying “As we are the Authority in Service Management, we constantly strive to improve, by adopting Government guideline for educational standards we can ensure that our students receive a quality learning experience by paying attention to attainment targets and differentiated learning styles”.

How it is delivered

FOX E-Learning™ replicates the classroom environment by providing student with what they would see in a normal classroom environment. That is to say, a set of accredited slides which is streamed along with up to 18 hours video footage of a selection of our approved ITIL® lecturers and consultants.

Each presenter has their own biography which contains a summary of their experience and expertise and is accessible via a simple mouse click. Should the student whish to have a different presenter but the same content for whatever reason, there is the ability to change the lecturer in question allowing the student the flexibility they desire. This can enable more effective learning through having presenters with a personality more suited to the learner’s learning style and culture. In addition, supplementary notes are provided where appropriate to enable the learner to read further.

Installation & Setup

In terms of setup and installation, FOX E-Learning™ is a hosted solution and is accessible via an internet connection and a standard web browser which is Flash® enabled. This means no roll out cost or deployment projects. The student simple click an internet link which will be sent to them upon enrolment and they will sign in using their email address and password which will be contained within the same mail.

Progression, Tests and Mock Examination

The student is presented with a number of topics which make up the course. Each topic is locked so that the student cannot advance to the next slide go to the next module without having gone through the course in the order in which it is presented. However, upon completion the student is able to review all the modules for revision purposes. In review mode, all slides are unlocked and the student does have the ability to advance at the rate that they chose.

To ensure that student fully absorb the basics before progressing on a new topic, they will be presented with test questions as they go along to ensure that they are on track with their learning.

As for tracking progress, students are provided with an on-line diary facility which automatically tracks and generates a learning log.

Finally and the end of the course there is a mock examination which is similar in style to the real on-line examination.

Examination

As for the examination itself, the student or organisation has the choice between either EXIN or ISEB, whichever is their preferred examination body. Examinations may be taking at an approved test centre which are located world-wide and be booked through Prometric or Pearson VUE. To find a test centre convenient to you and/or to book your examination, please follow the links below:
http://www.vue.com/iseb
http://www.vue.com/exin
http://www.prometric.com/ISEB/default.htm
http://www.prometric.com/exin/default.htm