e-learning developed by Learning Pool and Epic is a runaway success
Learning Pool, the e-learning specialist for the public sector, in partnership with Epic, has developed a new e-learning service designed specifically for elected Members.
Called Modern Councillor, the service is a high quality, flexible online e-learning tool with direct relevance for today’s new and existing elected Members.
Since its launch in May it has proved to be a runaway success with local authorities looking for a cost-effective way of training councillors by using e-learning as part of a blended programme of learning. With Modern Councillor they can learn anything from the basics of local government and community leadership to licensing and regulations, IT and mobile technology, data protection, media skills, equality and diversity awareness.
New content is added each month, with advice from a steering group of representatives from 20 local authorities and a range of organisations, including the IDeA. Within three months of launch, over 70 per cent of English Councils had signed-up, giving 16,000 councillors password-protected access to the site.
Those who have used the system have been enthusiastic.
James Hunt joined South Gloucestershire Council in May and is also a parish councillor. After experiencing Modern Councillor he was so impressed that he contacted all his fellow Council Members to encourage them to look for themselves.
“I’d definitely recommend it. You can never be trained enough. There is always something more to know. I was so impressed I sent an email to all my fellow members telling them what a great resource it is. Several then logged on and sent me replies of agreement. It’s even encouraged me to take a fast-track development course.”
Alan Dean – in his 21st year as a councillor and with four years under his belt as leader of Uttlesford District Council – is just as impressed with the online courses.
“I’ve used the module; it was very interesting to go through a 45 minute unit of the key techniques. There were some very good messages in there. The reputation of the local government needs to be raised and dealing with the media professionally is an important part of that.
Additional modules are being added to the site all the time. It’s a good idea for Member Development Officers to send out regular reminders so councillors can put the relevant dates in the diary and they don’t forget it’s right there online.
Modern Councillor isn’t an alternative to other forms of training; instead it complements them and prompts people to ask for more. Members are short of time and going on a two-day or evening course might be out of the question – but dipping into Modern Councillor will tell you whether you need more training on top.”
The courses have been produced in conjunction with Epic and cover topics such as Community Leadership, Working with the Media, Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Using Mobile Technology and Licensing and Regulation, among others. Released monthly, the courses will remain permanently available so that Members can revisit the material as often as they wish.
Tracy Capaldi-Drewett, Epic’s Commercial MD, said “We were delighted to have been selected by Learning Pool for this project as we recognise how important the role of the elected Member in today’s environment is, and the initial and ongoing support that is being delivered by Learning Pool."
As e-learning rapidly moves into the mainstream so the age profile of some newly elected Members has lowered. These younger, more technology-savvy Councillors bring a readiness and demand for more flexible learning resources. At the same time, more experienced Councillors are looking to new technology to help them manage their many responsibilities.