New for September 2008
The Towards Maturity Benchmark Review is the most comprehensive independent review of the use of learning technologies in the workplace in the UK. Based over 4 years of detailed research into effective e-learning practice with UK organisations, it provides an opportunity for participating organisations to benchmark their own activity and target areas for improvement.
If you are responsible for implementing learning technologies to support staff in the workplace, we welcome your participation.
The review will be launched in September and will close by the end of November 08. The results will be launched at Learning Technologies 09 and will be available to download for all registered users of this site.
Why get involved?
- This independent research programme that has been validated by industry and has been commended by experts and participants(see below)
- Learning technologies are increasingly being used in the workplace but to varying degrees of success – good implementation strategies are essential to realise benefits
- This review will allow you to benchmark your current activity against established effective practice
- As a result of taking part you find out your strengths and weaknesses so you can target areas of improvement and invest more strategically.
- You will receive a personalised benchmark review with specific signposts to free resources to help you on the Towards Maturity site (from a range of respected industry contributors and users)
- You will get this personal assessment and advice for FREE ( but you will need to invest 40 minutes of your time!)
Supporting good practice in the workplace
Is it worth taking part? - find out what people are saying who have been through the process.
This research programme is endorsed and supported by the e-learning network, The British Institute of Learning and Development, the Learning and Skills Group & Learning Technologies, and Becta.
''Once again, we are proud to support Towards Maturity’s 2008 benchmark review. This comprehensive research programme has been running for 4 years now and we’ve found that it not only is one of the most reliable indicators of the trends in e-learning adoption for the UK but it also provides practical benchmarks for individual participants wanting to improve the impact of learning technologies in their own workplace.'' Donald H Taylor – chair of Learning Technologies and Learning and Skills group
''The eLearning Network is a keen supporter of the Towards Maturity research, which does so much to spread good practice and to highlight the issues that need addressing if e-learning is to achieve its full potential'' Clive Shepherd, Chair, eLearning Network
‘This impressive, powerful and comprehensive piece of research is exactly the right instrument to investigate and benchmark the maturity of e-learning nationally; the BILD is happy to endorse, promote and support it fully.’ Jack Wills. Chair The British Institute for Learning and Development (BILD)
Background
The benchmark research is being conducted by Howard Hills and Laura Overton from the Towards Maturity team expands on previous work in this area:
Towards Maturity - - 07 Overton, Hills, Dixon published by e-skills UK
Linking learning to business – 04 – Overton ( published by elearning age)
e-learning in large organisations 05 – Hills (published by UfI)
To ensure currency, the research has also been reviewed by a range of independent industry experts and specialists.
We would like to thank the following organisations for their comment and contribution on this year's survey:
- e-Learning Network
- Learning and Skills Group
- The British Institute of Learning and Development
- e-skills UK
- Ufi
- Skillsoft
- Becta
As founding ambassadors for this national , industry led campaign, we are continually looking for examples of Next Generation Learning @ Work so we can share the secrets of success with others. We invite you to be part of this , to shape national thinking and inspire change. 
