Trainer1 powers the ODPM’s learning and knowledge management initiatives

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is using e-learning specialist Trainer1’s knowledge management tool, Argonaut, to power the department’s ‘Learning Resources Directory’ (LRD), registering the use of each of the materials in the LRD.

The ODPM’s LRD contains the Department’s learning resources and, thanks to Argonaut™, everyone who accesses the LRD is certain to receive the latest, approved version of the materials s/he requires.

Neil Lasher, managing director of Trainer1, explained: "It is vital that, as new versions of policies, procedures and protocols automatically supersede old ones, everyone who accesses these, accesses the most up-to-date, ‘approved’ version. Argonaut™, Trainer1’s ‘.NET’ technology knowledge management tool ensures that this is so – thus bringing peace of mind to trainers, senior managers and, of course, learners.

"Moreover, it helps to increase worker efficiency and productivity, thus providing better value for the taxpayer."

Trainer1 has undertaken this contract working as an associate with the Faraday Partnership - which helps organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to design their futures and develop their people through executive coaching, strategic in-house consultancy support and modular development programmes.

The Faraday Partnership’s Elizabeth Lovius commented: "The ODPM, which has a responsibility for training the 2,000 or so staff within the central Government departmental offices based in the regions around the country, asked the Faraday Partnership to help provide the most effective range of learning materials as well as delivery methods for that learning.

"Our research led us to conclude that there should be a blended approach where ‘structured’ learning is concerned – that is, a mixture of classroom-based and e-learning. We also recognised a need to provide workflow learning materials – which led to the development of the LRD.

"Essentially, the LRD is a portal to learning materials that are not presented formally, via a classroom or even an e-learning course. It is both a directory of learning resources and a library containing information, checklists and other tools that show learners how to do what they need to do in their jobs.

"So far – and, impressively for such a new concept in learning - the user feedback has been positive," she added.

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Notes for Editors:

About the Faraday Partnership Ltd

See: http://www.thefaradaypartnership.co.uk/aboutus.html

About Trainer1

Trainer1 is an independent e-learning specialist and creator of sophisticated courseware for learning, with a long experience in computer delivered learning. In particular, Trainer1 has developed, supplies and supports:

Authoring tools - for the creation of content, meeting SCORM, AICC, LRN, XML, and QTI standards.
Learning and Knowledge Management tools - for the management and distribution of content, including accreditation and reporting of data within existing databases.
Delivery systems for workflow learning - CSL™.
Tools and libraries to create multimedia content, including image editors, easy to use Flash production tools, libraries of sound, graphics and animation.
Specialist training events to assist trainers become self sufficient in e-learning design and production.
Development services in the creation and maintenance of learning content.

Trainer1’s client list includes major corporates such as ABN AMRO, Alliance & Leicester, Kraft Foods, Mitsubishi Corporation, Specsavers and Camelot, along with public sector clients including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for International Development, Kings College Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability and many local authorities.

Trainer1 is privately owned and remains a small, friendly company providing high quality product combined with personal service to Blue Chip Companies, as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Trainer1 is a member of many e-learning organisations and works with standards bodies to ensure technology is meeting the needs of users worldwide, as well as the guidelines determined by the governing groups in the e-learning industry.

About Argonaut

This user-friendly tool will manage all types of material in a variety of formats consistently organised in one application. Argonaut™ supports all file types including documents, pdfs, videos and sound. The system, based around a browser driven search engine, enables the user to retrieve all forms of information quickly and effectively.

Every search provides users access to all relevant materials in the database, and displays a list of all items that previous users have viewed who have also opened the current item – thus helping to increase the transfer of knowledge across your organisation and providing effective research opportunities.

Argonaut™ is a server driven application with unlimited user licence.

It is essential knowledge management tool for organisations that need an effective and readily available database of all their information assets.

Argonaut™’s key features include that it:

Is a web-driven ‘.NET’ application
Is contained within a corporate intranet/extranet
Is compatible with SQL server
Supports an unlimited number of users
Includes a full search engine
Includes a tracking system
Supports e-learning materials distribution
Tracks usage of items that are accessed to an individual’s user profile, providing accurate, on-going and regularly updated proof of their CPD record.

Users first meet a screen containing a number of ‘categories’. They progress to view, for every piece of learning or information in that category, its title, an overview, a description of it, its size and a link to the actual material.

They will also be told which related materials previous users have also viewed – to help them with their continuing professional development (CPD). The system also contains reports on each user and, as each piece of material is accessed, the system adds that to the individual user’s profile – which provides accurate, on-going and regularly up-dated proof of their CPD record.

Each page contained on the system contains two search tools. One – a ‘quick search’ tool – enables users to search the system’s database while the other, advanced, search tool allows users to find what they need by searching the database via parameters including category and phrase.

The Argonaut™ knowledge management tool does not import or store any information or learning materials. It merely lists what is available and tracks which of this its users read. So, the information that Argonaut™ accesses and presents to the user can be stored anywhere within the company intranet.

Argonaut™ is totally configurable – rather than being ‘customisable’ (which usually means extra costs for the purchaser). This means that it is ‘self-customisable’ via configuration screens that allow users to change even the size of type and the colour of the screens.

Further information from:

Neil Lasher, Trainer1, 020 7264 4844

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405

www.trainer1.com