Horizons broaden as learners seek out knowledge online

Businesses that provide learning are changing beyond recognition because of these new channels available for delivering their 'product'. One example is Llandudno-based BTC Group.

The business was established in 1993 as a conventional management training consultancy, specialising in coaching and skills covering areas such as leadership, teamwork and change management.

After years spent travelling many thousands of miles across the country to deliver the training, BTC began to seek better ways to serve its customer base. It started to develop an e-learning platform, www.thelearningbusiness.com, and learning materials that could be delivered on line.

Managing director Peter Butler recalled: "At the time these developments began, we were located in an area not covered by broadband so we moved to Llandudno because it was one of the first parts of Wales to receive this technology.

"Broadband is essential for what we do. The technology has revolutionised the whole way we do business. We've changed from a conventional education and training business into a leading edge international e-learning operation," he added.  The spread of broadband across the country has accelerated the company's evolution into a global enterprise, which now provides its service almost entirely online.  BTC has, for example, secured contracts with the British Council to provide training via the internet for members of its staff in no fewer than 15 countries - from South America through to the Far East.

A British Council spokesman said: "Thelearningbusiness.com provided us with a quick solution to our e-learning needs when we were working under a very tight time span. We liked the way live functions such as chat and a virtual classroom were brought together with learning content and discussion forums. We were able to link up team members from around the world to learn together."

The company has worked to develop materials which make learning online a more natural experience.

Peter said: "We want to ensure remote learning doesn't feel lonely, so we produce material that effectively replicates the classroom by creating an online community of learners who can swap notes and share ideas. That makes the whole learning experience far more attractive."

Another key element of the firm's work, supported by the European Social Fund, is the online diversity training package which it developed and is delivering to nine Councils across Wales as well as to various charities and the Countryside Council for Wales.  The 'Engaging Diversity' project trains staff to handle the range of complex issues associated with race, gender, disability, age, religious belief or sexual orientation. It includes 45-minute modules containing video and interactive material delivered quickly and easily through standard broadband connections, which are being accessed by a rapidly increasing number of individuals and organisations.

BTC has worked in close partnership with BT across North Wales to help businesses take full advantage of new and emerging online learning opportunities.

Lledu gorwelion wrth ddysgu ar-lein

Gwelwyd chwyldro ym maes busnesau adnoddau dysgu oherwydd y sianeli newydd a agorwyd i gyflenwi eu 'cynnyrch'. Un enghraifft yw BTC Group, Llandudno.

Sefydlwyd y busnes yn 1993 fel ymgynghoriaeth rheoli hyfforddiant confensiynol yn gweithio ym meysydd fel arweinyddiaeth, gwaith timau a rheoli newid. Ar ôl treulio blynyddoedd yn teithio miloedd o filltiroedd i ddarparu hyfforddiant, edrychodd BTC am ffyrdd gwell o wasanaethu ei gwsmeriaid. Dechreuodd ddatblygu platfform e-ddysgu www.thelearningbusiness.com a deunyddiau dysgu ar-lein.

Dywedodd y rheolwr gyfarwyddwr Peter Butler: "Ar y pryd nid oedd band llydan yn ein hardal ni felly symudwyd y cwmni i Landudno, un o'r rhannau cyntaf o Gymru i dderbyn y dechnoleg.

"Mae band llydan yn hanfodol i'n busnes ni, gyda'r dechnoleg wedi chwyldroi ein dulliau busnes. Yn y broses rydym wedi newid o fusnes addysg a hyfforddiant confensiynol i fod yn gwmni e-ddysgu rhyngwladol," ychwanegodd. Mae lledu band llydan ar draws y wlad wedi cynnal esblygiad y cwmni i fod yn fenter fyd-eang sydd bellach yn gweithredu bron yn gyfan gwbl ar-lein. Er enghraifft, mae BTC wedi ennill contractau gyda'r Cyngor Prydeinig i ddarparu hyfforddiant ar-lein ar gyfer aelodau staff mewn 15 gwlad - o Dde America ar draws i'r Dwyrain Pell.

Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran y Cyngor Prydeinig: "Darparodd thelearningbusiness.com ateb cyflym i'n hanghenion e-ddysgu pan oedd pwysau arnom i weithredu'n mewn amser cyfyng iawn. Roeddem yn hoffi'r ffyrdd roedd adnoddau fel cyfleoedd sgwrsio a dosbarthiadau rhithwir yn cyfuno â'r cynnwys a fforymau dysgu. Wrth wneud hynny llwyddwyd i gysylltu aelodau ar draws y byd er mwyn dysgu gyda'i gilydd".

Mae'r cwmni wedi gweithio' glaed i ddatblygu deunyddiau sy'n gwneud dysgu ar-lein yn brofiad lled naturiol. Ychwanegodd Peter: "Ein nod yw sicrhau na fydd dysgu o bell yn brofiad unig ac felly byddwn yn cynhyrchu adnoddau sy'n adlewyrchu'r dosbarth wrth greu cymuned o ddysgwyr ar-lein sy'n gallu rhannu profiadau a syniadau. Mae hynny'n gwneud y broses yn llawer mwy atyniadol i ddefnyddwyr".

Elfen bwysig arall yng ngwaith y cwmni, a gefnogir gan Gronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop, yw'r pecyn hyfforddiant amrywiaeth y mae'n darparu ar gyfer naw cyngor yng Nghymru, ynghyd ag amryw elusennau a Chyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru. Mae'r project 'Taclo Amrywiaeth' yn dysgu staff sut i ddelio â materion cymhleth ym meysydd hil, cenedl, anabledd, oedran, credo a thueddfryd rhywiol. Mae'n cynnwys modiwlau 45 munud gyda fideo a deunyddiau rhyngweithiol a gyflenwir yn gyflym dros gysylltiadau band llydan safonol, sy'n profi'n gynyddol boblogaidd gydag unigolion a chyrff.

Yn ogystal, mae BTC wedi cydweithio mewn partneriaeth â BT yn y gogledd er mwyn helpu busnesau i fachu ar gyfleoedd dysgu ar-lein.