Online learning gets personal

TDM, based in Bewdley, hopes the book will be used by businesses, charities and other organisations which offer staff training and personal as well as professional development.

'Mahara' helps learners set themselves personalised goals to improve their knowledge and skills, and is increasingly being used by schools and universities.

The software, which has been taken up all over the world, was developed in New Zealand and its name means "thinking", "thought" or "reflection" in Maori.

Cleverly, it doubles as a web-based social networking application, which lets people create their own online learning portfolio while interacting with other users.

Businesses find the software useful because it 'captures' staff knowledge in case they move on, while sharing and showcasing the skills of their workforce. Many also appreciate the benefits of encouraging staff or learners to engage in deep reflection to improve their own understanding, skills and competencies.

TDM has provided learning systems to a range of customers including The Fire Service College, Accountancy Plus Training and Investors in People, FE Colleges, County Councils, Training Provider Networks, businesses, schools and universities

TDM managing director Derrin Kent said: "Because we are Mahara specialists and employ both senior-level educators and technologists, we had the right mix of skills to write the book. And because we are one of the few companies to have already designed, developed and implemented a range of Mahara systems we were able to provide the real pragmatic advise that will save users a lot of time".

He added: "A lot of the content of the book focuses on the 'why' of ePortfolios and the presented scenarios back this up, so it is almost underselling the book to say that it is about Mahara - I'd say it is more about using ePortfolios, and it just happens that Mahara is the tool that is used to seal the deal."

Highly respected learning technologist , Mary Cooch, added: " The book takes you through all you need to know about Mahara from accessing it as a student, to using it as a teacher/tutor to installing and managing it as primary administrator. And all in a friendly, easy to use style with helpful screenshots. An achievement all the more admirable as it is written by several people rather than one author."

The book - Mahara 1.2 EPortfolios Beginner's Guide - is published by Packt Publishing.

* A free chapter of the book, giving lots of practical ideas for implementing software across an organisation - can be downloaded from www.link.tdm.info/freechapter