Hadlow (UK), January 2010 - After more than twenty years as an unincorporated association with around 150 members, the eLearning Network (eLN), a non-profit organisation run by the eLearning community for the eLearning community, is beginning its first full year as a community-interest company (CIC).
In its last year as an unincorporated body and with a new membership structure including free associate membership, the eLN saw its membership rise tenfold. Now that it is a CIC, its membership stands at over 2,000.
"This rapid growth in our membership not only reflects the increase in interest in all things to do with eLearning, but also illustrates how technology-delivered learning is touching more and more aspects of our economy. This is occurring throughout the private and public sectors as well as in academia", commented Clive Shepherd, Chair of the CIC and a widely respected eLearning consultant and commentator.
At the Learning Technologies event in London's Olympia on 28 January, Clive Shepherd will be leading a free-to-attend seminar that explores the eLearning skills gap.
Shepherd comments, "I'll be describing the areas in which skills are most needed, notably strategic management, curriculum development, content creation, and facilitation. Most importantly, I'll be discussing the various steps that organisations can take to bridge the skills gap."
In addition to running this seminar for visitors to the Learning Technologies event, the eLN will have a stand at the accompanying exhibition where visitors can find out more about the organisation's networking services, webinars, and programme of one-day conferences throughout the year. Each conference focuses on a key issue for learning professionals and offers practical tips and guidance for delegates, as well as providing networking opportunities.
Shepherd states, "We're delighted that more and more people are discovering the benefits of being part of the eLN. Shaping our programme of events as well as the services provided for the user, designer, and vendor special-interest groups, is the responsibility of our new Board of Directors. These highly qualified individuals are elected annually by members, according to our constitution."
The resulting twelve-strong Board shows two changes from the committee that ran the -˜old' eLN: Mike Alcock (of Atlantic Link) and Neil Lasher (of Trainer1) have retired and been replaced by Katherine Chapman of Capita - National Strategies and Matt Brewer of Chubb Insurance Company of Europe.
The other Board members of the eLN CIC for 2010 are Clive Shepherd (Fastrak Consulting Ltd); Barry Sampson (Web Based Thinking); Carole Bower (Edvantage group); Claire Line (Lovells LLP); Fae Longman (CMS Cameron McKenna LLP); Joe Quilter (PSP Group); Rob Hubbard (Learning Age Solutions); Seb Schmoller (Association for Learning Technology); Viv Cole (REDTRAY); and Wendy Stubbs (British Airways). The management team is completed by Pat Straughan, the company secretary.
