A new way to learn

The IBFI’s new e-learning platform will offer fitters greater flexibility when it comes to choosing education providers and breaking their learning into bite-sized chunks.

E-learning has been growing for years. It’s a great way to fit courses around your busy lifestyle and take things at your own pace.

But it has its limitations, especially for subjects that are a little more practical. It can be hard to learn anew skill online, when you can only see things from one direction, and you often can’t ask questions and interact with the instructor.

The pandemic really pushed e-learning into the spotlight, as travel was almost impossible and group classes inside just weren’t safe. Thankfully, masks, PPE and vaccines are all playing an important role in getting things slowly back to normal. But e-learning is here to stay, and bike fitting needs to adapt.

That’s why the new common syllabus allows for half of each module to be delivered online. As part of the new system, the IBFI will be providing recognised education providers with an e-learning platform to list their courses on the web.

Whilst the online content could be delivered in person — and that’s an option some education providers may explore in the future — the in-person content just isn’t well-suited to the online learning environment.

The skill of bike fitting is much better learnt by seeing and feeling it in person. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a lot of the knowledge-based material online. That’s where the IBFI’s new e- learning platform comes in.

IBFI e-learning platform

Our new website will be split into five sections, one for each of the four course levels, and one for additional CPD courses that sit outside the common syllabus. Unlike a standard e-learning platform, ours is programmed to know which courses meet which criteria — meaning you only need to attend one course from level 1 to unlock the courses available at level 2. And with everything being on the same platform, we can easily manage the assessment process and ensure every course within the same level uses the same assessment.

You won’t be able to just sit at home and rattle through the online content though; after completing the online part of a level, you’ll need to complete the in-person component before the system will unlock the next round of online courses.

We’re also working behind the scenes to update our main IBFI website. There’ll be a single login across both sites and data on qualifications will be shared straight onto the find-a-fitter map. Within 24 hours of completing a course, the e-learning platform will update your map listing to reflect your new level of certification. You’ll also be able to edit your own map listing more easily and add more photos and information.

The new e-learning platform will:

• Handle all course payments

• Automatically grade assessments for level 1 courses

• Issue certificates upon passing the assessment

• Easily track your progress between sessions

• Allow for course material to be added as text, slides, videos and even streamed content

• Support live chat features allowing regular support sessions with instructors

• Allow students to rate courses using a 5-star system

• Use the same login as your IBFI account (coming soon)

• Allow downloadable content like course brochures, presentations and notes

• Include community chat where you can discuss your learning with other students

• Offer courses in multiple languages

• Offer additional CPD courses on topics outside the standard syllabus

This new website will help both fitters and fit educators: Fitters across the world will more easily be able to access additional, high-quality education content that counts towards their IBFI certification. Meanwhile, fit educators will have a platform to take their courses global and access a broader range of students — not just those who live locally or are willing to travel.

The website will be launching in the coming weeks so keep an eye on IBFI’s social media channels for more details. It’ll also contain a section for Continued Professional Development (CPD) courses, allowing for a wide range of topics to be covered.