ThirdForce Whitepapers
ThirdForce is building a library of whitepapers for you to use as resource to keep
up to date and informed on the key and relevant issues in training, learning and
teaching. We will also focus on industry specific topics that we hope you find both
interesting and useful.
All brochures are pdf files so you will need adobe acrobat 
to view and download them.
Select the relevant whitepaper to register for your FREE copy.
Does it Add up?
Assessment for Learning (AfL) means using evidence and feedback to identify where pupils are in their learning, what they need to do next and how best to achieve this. In practice, this means obtaining clear evidence about how to raise individual attainment; increase understanding between teachers and pupils on what they need to improve, and facilitate agreement on the steps needed to promote sound learning and progress. Technology and software have an important role to play in enabling teachers to harness the very best that the Assessment for Learning opportunity affords them.
Authors
Andy Hutt, Independent Educational Consultant
Lorna Tyrtania, Senior Product Manager, ThirdForce
Considerations on blended learning
There has been a paradigm shift in learning from a one-size fits-all model to an adaptive, learner-centric model. This shift has been driven by technology and has resulted in personalised learning.
A short time ago we lived in a world of institutionally led training where the one-size-fits-all approach was very much led by the institution. Decisions were made about which courses would be delivered and the format of delivery. A list of available courses was sent to each manager who could then book their staff on any course that appeared to be appropriate. The media used to deliver this training was generally limited to a one-to-many classroom environment or course work from books. Today the panoramic view of learning has changed dramatically….
Author
Alan Maguire, Managing Director, ThirdForce UK and International
The abolishment of e-learning credits (eLC’s) in August 2008 has left many schools uncertain about which funding streams they can access to fund the e-learning resources that would have been purchased with eLC’s. In many cases schools have come to rely upon such resources to support teaching and learning but how can schools pay for e-learning without eLC's? The increased government focus on both personalised learning and assessment for learning means that e-learning solutions are still positioned strongly to access a number of school funding sources as outlined here.
Authors
Andy Hutt, Independent Educational Consultant
Lorna Tyrtania, Senior Product Manager, ThirdForce
Advances in technology in recent years have replaced many processes in the workplace, but in the customer facing business of hospitality, there is no doubt that computers cannot replace its best asset – the employee. What can be done however, is to provide the means by which to train employees effortlessly, cost effectively and without disruption to the smooth running of the 24/7 business.
Author
Marco Faccini Account director, Hospitality Division ThirdForce
e-Learning is an important step towards a greener, leaner and cleaner
approach to business. On-line technology enabled learning
effectively eliminates the need for large groups of staff to
travel to one location to complete a face-to-face,
classroom-based training day. Environmental costs such as travel
related fuel or air pollution and paper consumption caused by the
generation of paper-based training materials can effectively be
eliminated. Opportunity costs can also be reduced if staff do not need
to leave the workplace and can study during downtime or from home.
Author
Lorna Tyrtania, Senior Product Manager, ThirdForce
Leadership gaps are a serious problem in most companies and pose a major challenge. Unfortunately, the reality is that companies often set themselves up to fail when it comes to leadership. How? In filling any leadership position there are two choices. Hire someone from the outside who has the required leadership skills and teach them the necessary organisational knowledge. Or hire someone from the inside who has the organisational knowledge and teach them the necessary leadership skills.
Author
Kristina Stiffler, ThirdForce Consultant
Management decisions drive companies. The only question is whether those decisions drive companies to success or to failure. This is especially true during a recession, when every management decision is magnified by brutal and volatile market conditions. A common reaction is for managers to engage in dramatic cost cutting in nearly every area of the business. And in tough times, such belt tightening is to be expected, perhaps even demanded. Yet as with any business decision, cost cutting measures cannot be made in a vacuum or worse — dictated by fear.
Recessions affect everyone. And in our cyclical economy, economic busts are followed by booms (see Figure 1)1 . It takes courage to see it, but that’s the opportunity recessions offer. Managers must make decisions that position their company not only to survive the recession, but also to take advantage of the growth opportunities that follow.
Author
Kristina Stiffler, ThirdForce Consultant
In today’s information economy, effective use of knowledge is the key to sustainable competitive advantage. The most successful organisations understand it is vital to tap the knowledge of their employees, and engage them to use their knowledge in creative ways to help solve the organisation’s problems, exceed customer expectations, and propel them to the top of their industry. The challenge, of course, is how to effectively utilise and grow employee knowledge. A key component is effective employee development programmes.
Author
Kristina Stiffler, ThirdForce Consultant