Complete Proceedings

Experience has shown that instructor-led trainings have some advantages thatcannot easily be overcome by technology enhanced learning. Direct interaction with aninstructor and among the group is often perceived as motivating and more personal. For smallgroups, in-class trainings can be more cost effective. On-line learning often requires aconsiderable amount of self-management and progress-monitoring from the learners. Smalland medium enterprises (SMEs) are very sensitive to these issues. As customized in-housesolutions that are used by global players (e.g., corporate LCMS or learning portal, contenttailored to specific needs of company) are usually not feasible, SME rely on what trainingproviders offer, i.e., instructor led training. The first part of the workshop will look at theprerequisites for Blended Learning in SMEs and insights in an e-learning provider’sperspective. The second session will aim to develop guidelines and recommendations forBlended Learning in SMEs. The Invited Talk will provide the experience of an e-learningprovider who mainly targets customers or learners in SMEs. Two practice reports describe theexperiences with blended learning in a research project in a corporate setting and animplementation project in an institution of higher education. In synthesis, this workshop aimsto assess the state-of-the-art of Blended-Learning in SMEs and to identify research gaps andopportunities. The state-of-the-art will take the form of best-practice reports, guidelines andheuristics. This will serve as important input for practitioners such as training providers andcourse designers. Discussion is encouraged throughout the workshop. At the same time wealso anticipate that the synopsis of evidence will identify a major lack of convincing conceptsand data for Blended Learning in SME that will inform and encourage further research. E. Tomadaki and P. Scott (Eds.): Innovative Approaches for Learning and Knowledge Sharing,EC-TEL 2006 Workshops Proceedings, ISSN 1613-0073, p. 3, 2006. Blended Learning and SME’s: the Challenge for NCILibrary: USB Key as a Learning Tool Mary Buckley, Alison Nolan, Stephanie Doyle National College of Ireland