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Learning design excellence at Sponge UK showcased in awards shortlist

Plymouth, UK08 Sep 2016Learning NewsSponge

Learning design excellence, talent and innovation at Sponge UK is recognised in the shortlist for the 2016 Learning Technologies Awards.

Elearning company, Sponge UK has been named in three categories: Excellence in the design of learning content (commercial sector), Learning technologies designer of the year and Most innovative new learning technologies product (UK). 

The awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the global learning technologies industry and saw a huge number of high quality submissions this year.

Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director, Sponge UK said: 

“Good learning design is the foundation of effective workplace learning programmes and we’re delighted to be recognised for our expertise in this critical area of learning technologies. The Learning Technologies Awards are a fantastic showcase for our industry. The number and standard of entries this year is testament to just how vibrant and exciting the sector has become.” 

An innovative global online induction programme gained a place on the shortlist for Sponge UK and Specsavers, the international optical and hearing business. 

The judges picked out the project in one of the most competitive and sought-after categories, which recognises excellent content that enables learning.  

Simon Poole-Anderson, Global Learning Technologies Consultant at Specsavers, said: 

“It's encouraging that the research and energy put into our online induction is resonating with the learning community along with our global new starters. This recognition also captures the collaboration we enjoyed with Sponge UK to create learning tech that engages and appeals to people of all ages and digital abilities.” 

Sponge UK’s Head of Learning Innovation, Kate Nicholls is one of eight professionals shortlisted for Learning Technologies Designer of the Year. 

The award recognises consistent high quality and effective learning design over a number of years. 

Kate said: “It’s an honour to be recognised for the job I love doing. For me, the attraction is being able to really get under the skin of a problem and design the best possible solution. Learning technologies design is a relatively new discipline and there are still so many challenges and opportunities to support workplace learning and make a difference.” 

Sponge UK was jointly shortlisted with Kineo for the Adapt Open-source Framework in the UK innovative product category. 

Adapt is an authoring tool created to solve a major industry challenge and bring truly multi-device design to the elearning industry. 

The winners of the Learning Technologies Awards will be announced at a gala ceremony on Wednesday, November 30 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London.