News Roundup

What’s happening in e-learning?

Open LMS Unveils AI-Boosted TinyMCE Editor to enhance eLearning Content Creation

Open LMS, built on Moodle, has launched an AIpowered editor for TinyMCE, designed to simplify content creation for educators and administrators. This innovative tool enables users to craft engaging text, HTML, and CSS with ease, responding to prompts for quick, efficient results.

With just a click of the AI Assistant icon, educators can generate course announcements, create lesson materials, or enhance existing content. By automating these tasks, the tool frees up valuable time for teaching and student engagement. Fully integrated into the Open LMS workflow, this intuitive feature delivers cutting-edge support to streamline the creative process and improve productivity in eLearning environments.

Free MIT AI and Data Science Courses

MIT has made its renowned AI and data science courses available online for free, opening the door to top-tier education for learners worldwide. Highlights include:

• Using Data to Understand the World: Explore data analysis, algorithms, and data structures.

• Python-Based Machine Learning: ML models, project management, and real-world apps.

• Statistics Fundamentals: Learn probability,

data analysis, and practical estimators. Intro to Python and Computer Science: Beginner-friendly Python programming basics.

• The Science of Uncertainty: Grasp probability and statistical techniques for data-driven insights.

• Supply Chain Analytics: Apply data strategies to supply chain management.

• Computational Thinking & Data Science: Use Monte Carlo models and PyLab for analysis.

• Entrepreneurship Basics: Spot opportunities, design products, and bust myths.

• Simulation & Modelling: Master computational tools for simulations.

• Manufacturing Processes: Understand production techniques and materials science.

You can explore these courses at edX.org.

Study Reveals Only 24% of Frontline Workers Feel Properly Trained.

A new study by Schoox and Lighthouse Research & Advisory highlights critical gaps in frontline worker training across industries like food service, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. Surveying 737 employers and 1,050 workers, the findings show 40% of frontline employees are unsure of their job expectations, while only 24% feel adequately trained.

These alarming statistics underscore a disconnect that risks productivity, employee morale, and overall business performance. Poor training not only impacts operational success but also raises safety concerns, with untrained staff at higher risk for workplace injuries. Businesses must prioritise robust training solutions to close this gap and secure sustainable growth.

iSpring Suite 11.8 has arrived

Packed with powerful features to make course creation faster and more professional. Thanks to user feedback, the latest update delivers:

Custom Quiz Themes: Personalise quizzes with adjustable slide backgrounds, checkbox colours, and pre-designed themes for on-brand visuals without design skills.

“Morph” Transition Support: Retain all animations, GIFs, and transparency effects from PowerPoint for seamless publishing.

Hover Effects: Add interactivity with easy object highlighting, enhancing learner engagement.

Moodle Plugin: Access detailed visual reports on quiz performance, including completion rates, time spent, and scores, all while keeping data intact after content updates.

Virtual College Updates: New Courses, Insights, and Awareness Initiatives

Virtual College shares its latest updates, offering exciting news for subscribers and spotlighting key events:

• Subscription customers gain access to MS Shorts, providing bite-sized learning for modern slavery and trafficking awareness.

• National Career Development Month: A focus on personal growth with guidance on creating impactful Personal Development Plans.

• National Safeguarding Adults Week 2024: Expert insights shared to promote awareness and best practices.

Misogyny Awareness eLearning: Launching critical resources to address and combat misogyny effectively.

Sponge Joins G-Cloud 14 as Approved Digital Learning Supplier

Sponge has been named an approved supplier on the UK Government’s G-Cloud 14 Framework, enhancing its role as a leading provider of cloud-based learning solutions for the public sector.

This designation simplifies the procurement process for public sector organisations, granting streamlined access to Sponge’s LMS platform, Spark, and its cutting-edge digital learning tools. As part of G-Cloud 14, Sponge Compliance is poised to deliver robust training platforms tailored to the unique needs of government entities, furthering efficiency and innovation in learning and development.

Free Moodle Webinar: Redesigning Training Programs with Backward Design

Join Moodle Academy’s free webinar, “Utilising the Backward Design Process to Rethink a Training Program,” on Tuesday, 3rd December, from 15:00-16:00 UTC.

Amy Sudduth, Learning Designer at Moodle US, will share insights on transforming a government agency’s new hire training program. The session will explore how the backward design model and Moodle’s powerful asynchronous and synchronous tools were used to address diverse learning needs. Gain practical knowledge about the design process, tools implemented, and the outcomes achieved through this innovative approach.

Northumbria VRU Launches E-Learning to Combat Youth Violence

The Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has introduced a new e-learning series to address youth violence, knife crime, gangs, joint enterprise, and hidden harms. Developed with Me Learning, these modules empower youth workers, practitioners, and community leaders with knowledge and tools to identify risks, understand the law, and intervene early to build safer communities.

Participants who complete four core modules - Knife Crime Awareness, Joint Enterprise, Gangs and Youth Violence, and Hidden Harm - earn the title of Violence Prevention Ambassador and access a collaborative network.

With interactive content, quizzes, and flexible learning, this initiative aims to tackle violence at its roots, equipping frontline workers to better engage young people and prevent escalation.

Kahoot! Gains Momentum in Asia Amid EdTech Boom

Kahoot!, the Norway-based gamified e-learning platform, is experiencing rapid growth in Asia, fueled by rising demand for digital learning solutions. With 8 million teachers and 1.6 billion users globally in the past year, Kahoot!’s reach spans 200 countries, making it a leader in the resurging edtech market.

Sean D’Arcy, Kahoot!’s chief solutions officer, describes the pandemic’s impact on edtech as a “Cambrian explosion,” followed by a temporary lull as learners sought balance. Now, growth has returned, with Asia-Pacific leading the charge thanks to increased internet access and mobile device adoption.

The global edtech market is projected to surge from $144 billion in 2023 to nearly $460 billion by 2032, with Asia poised to dominate this expansion.

SGU School of Medicine Launches Global Medic Club for Aspiring Doctors

St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada has launched the SGU Global Medic Club, an online learning platform for aspiring medical students. This resource is available to students from SGU-affiliated schools worldwide, offering educational support for those pursuing A Levels, International Baccalaureate, or other preparatory programs.

The platform features several course collections, including Applicant, Academic, Clinical, and Global Physician, covering everything from medical school preparation to cutting-edge medical trends. Students can earn certificates and join a global leaderboard, enhancing their medical school applications.

This initiative provides essential learning tools and reinforces SGU’s commitment to developing future healthcare professionals.