University of East London Shortlisted by e-Learning Awards for Toolwire Learnscapes
First of its kind data reveals the impact of immersive experiential learning on student experience.
The University of East London (www.uel.ac.uk/) has been shortlisted by the
prestigious e-Learning Awards for immersive learning environments
developed jointly with Toolwire (www.toolwire.com), a global leader in
experiential learning solutions. The University's submission
featured data, presented recently at Columbia University's
International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace, on how
immersive experiential learning impacts the student
experience.
The University of East London's Legal Learnscape, launched in
October 2010, allows learners to experience a day-in-the-life
"virtual internship" as a junior barrister making a plea in
mitigation. UEL recognized that Toolwire Learnscapes offered an
ideal technology solution for enhancing clinical legal education
for degree students and also for learners in the workplace.
Among UEL's noteworthy findings, 97% of respondents indicated that
immersive learning environments were either "very useful or
extremely useful" in preparing them for their assessment and 94%
found them more effective than learning from a book.
Three-quarters of the students indicated that working at their own
pace was a key feature with one student saying, "I could learn when
I wanted to, not when [others] thought I should." Additionally, 82%
of students appreciated the ability to revisit the module as often
as they needed in order to achieve understanding. A total of 94%
reported returning to scenes and assessments to reinforce
learning.
The characters within the storyline positively contributed to the
experience according to 92% of students and 84% felt the story was
true to life. Focus group comments included, "I liked the
characters; they were real. I could just imagine meeting them," and
"I went on a visit to a chambers in London and met someone just
like Bainbridge [one of the Learnscape characters]."
The inclusion of these learning solutions also appears to have
positively impacted student performance. The mean average student
mark and the pass rate for the course's practical role assessment
both increased substantially from the previous year.
Toolwire Learnscapes are now in use at Higher Education and
corporate training institutions across 71 countries. "As news about
the learner response to Toolwire Learnscapes spreads, all
organizations aspiring to be truly learner-centric will be
compelled to seriously consider integrating these learning
solutions into their programmes," noted Sarah Frame, Director EMEA
Business Development.
Toolwire has garnered significant attention this year for its
development of immersive learning environments. Recipient of the
Red Herring 100 North America as one of the top emerging
Information Technology companies in America, Toolwire was recently
recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 1500 fastest growing
companies in America.
"We are thrilled for the University of East London that
Learnscapes have made such a positive impact," commented John
Valencia, Toolwire's President and CEO. "We are also gratified to
see the University receive recognition by one of the premier
sources for future trends in technology-based learning. This is the
kind of positive outcome that we seek for all of our
partners."
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