This is a rather belated post 😉 Anyone who keeps up with what we’re doing here at NGC HQ will know that we launched our e-learning during Covid to ensure we could continue to deliver creativity and innovation training to our clients. wherever they were working. We all know now that (no thanks) to the pandemic, WFH and technologies mean distributed teams are new normal.

So we decided to create our e-learning with the following learning objectives:

• Provide self-paced, flexible courses to build creative confidence and capabilities
• To build a toolkit to equip and empower individuals to problem-solve
• Accessible to all on any device
• Be affordable
• Democratise/demystify creativity
• Offer a practical cost-effective way to upskill distributed workforce
• Future-proof individuals with in-demand and transferable skills

It sounds simple enough but it was a labour of love over a year (whilst home-schooling) with pilots, tests, prototypes, hair-pulling and moments of wondering what on earth I’d let myself in for!

By the end, I had created 25 micro-lessons ranging from 2 to 20 minutes, accessible anytime, anywhere, on any device accessed at the point of need (on the commute, at work, at home).

With short-form responsive content co-designed with e-learning expert to help upskill delegates to generate, develop and sell creative ideas.

Learner participation is ‘designed in’ – reflecting, trying, practicing, failing, and doing via quizzes, tests, case studies, video, and coaching questions.

Module 1: How To Build An Idea

The world is full of big problems to be solved and new opportunities. Idea generation is a core part of creative thinking, and this course has nine lessons over 75 minutes to build your problem-solving toolkit and tackle real-world business scenarios.

Module 2: Great State To Create

Whether you’re burnt out, distracted, or preparing to lead a workshop or brainstorm, these proven tools and techniques will help you tap into those creative parts of your brain that need a little massage.

Try these 12 mental strength-building tools, warm-ups, and emotional workouts range in time from two minutes to an hour.

Module 3: ‘Field Trip To The Museum’.

Research shows that letting our minds wander is great for creativity, and studies show that engaging with the arts can act as a buffer against stress, build creativity and help us adapt to change.

Filmed on location, discover some of the world’s most iconic design innovations. Using the museum exhibits as stimuli you’ll explore the role of your conscious and unconscious mind, using insights from a neuroscientist.

9 lessons to work through, plus three powerful creativity tools to learn and practise, to tackle the blank page at any time.

See the e-learning catalogue on Canva here

So to the award! I decided to enter the Women In Marketing, Marketing Scientist Award for marketing eduction to reflect the process I had gone through.

The criteria for the WiM Marketing Scientist Award are: “This award will recognise a female lead from the marketing science sector-this will include further and higher education, public and private providers. Recognising the multifaceted nature of marketing scientist’s work, the award has two tracks 1) marketingresearch; and2) marketing education.”

We didn’t win the top gong – which went to an academic well done to Dr Lucy Gill- Simmen Senior Lecturer, Marketing Director Education Strategy, from Royal Holloway,University of London.

But we were awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ for the work which we are super-thrilled about. An acknowledgment of all the effort that went into the e-learning. And better still our clients are loving the e-learning course content too! Check out what the lovely Suzy Bashford has to say below.

You can see all the courses and enrol on our Learning Management System. If you have any questions please contact claire@nowgocreate.co.uk

Highly Commended & Commended 2021

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Did you know that after a decade of successful face-to-face creativity training, we developed a series of new creativity e-learning courses during lockdown? Our clients are reaping the benefits of working this way.

E-learning is often praised for its flexibility, cost effectiveness, and efficiency in terms of the time involved. It’s ideal for those who don’t like traditional instructor-led classes, but the great thing is that it also works just as well for people who do enjoy in-person tuition. When you combine the two it’s known as blended-learning – and it is just the solution some people need.

If you’re wondering how creativity e-learning could work in your business, we have listed seven benefits below. Which will be most useful to your business?

7 benefits of e-learning for creativity and innovation training

#1 Enable learners to rerun courses over again if required

Sometimes getting creative techniques and tools right first time isn’t easy. Not everyone will pick up what was intended in one workshop or webinar. Fortunately, creativity e-learning gives staff another chance to review information at their own pace until they grasp concepts thoroughly. And retain knowledge better over time.

At Now Go Create, we are finding that our e-learning programme is working brilliantly in conjunction with our workshops and face-to-face training to embed the skills and behaviours needed to innovate. It’s problem-solving training at its best and most flexible.

#2 Work flexibly with teams – no matter where they are based

Businesses today sometimes employ distributed teams across multiple locations. So traditional offline methods won’t suit every situation. By having a mix of online training alongside face-to-face sessions, you can help ensure that all team members feel involved and included – whatever their location. Also, if people cannot attend in-person sessions, a webinar can enable groups to develop at the same pace.

“If one person isn’t in the room, no-one is in the room”

The Interactive Design Organisation

#3 Provide more personalised training

Whether people want ‘on demand’, self-paced e-learning via their mobile device, or they prefer classroom tuition from an instructor, learners can now choose the learning style that works best for them. Get more value from your investment by giving people the creative tools they need to learn on their own terms and allow for varying interests levels and aptitudes.

#4 Reduce training delivery costs

E-learning cuts or eliminates travel time, so it can hugely reduce your training delivery costs. Your staff don’t need to spend time travelling to an external venue, plus you don’t need to pay for hiring the premises. Trainers are freed up to concentrate on what they are paid for – teaching. Plus, you can access a global audience! Your training can be sent to international staff at a fraction of what it would cost to fly them in.

#5 Make training fun

While delivering specific skills and instruction is vital for learning objectives, it can be equally important to capture attention and engage learners. This is great for building retention and ensuring all staff enjoy what they are doing. If your current training is a little flat, have a look at how e-learning can be part of your training solution.

#6 Use analytics to measure performance

Analytics allow you to compare results from e-learning with offline learning or classroom sessions. For example:

• Did staff learn faster with e-learning or offline learning?
• Is training easier to retain for e-learning or offline learning?
• Are certain functions repeated regularly in your business – and could making an e-learning course save time and money?

Answers to these questions can help you to decide if you should invest further in your e-learning program.

#7 Be compliant with changing working flexibly legislation

With changing legislation around flexible working hours, there are challenges regarding legal requirements when it comes to offsite training. Having e-learning options mean managers can track compliance (or non-compliance) easily wherever team members are located.

Think about updating how you deliver training within your organisation and see if e-learning is right for you.

Contact claire@nowgocreate.co.uk  and take a look at our live online workshops courses at the Now Go Create Digital Academy 2021 website. There’s more about our e-learning here.

If you’d like a demo of our new e-learning or a trial course, please get in touch. So far, the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Fremantle Media and Wonderland Comms have all tried it with great results.

Read what our clients have to say about our e-learning and online workshops in the next post.

The post E-learning creativity training: 7 things you need to know first appeared on Now Go Create.