A Guide to Developing Distance Learning Programmes

While developing and presenting training programmes on Profiting from Cleaner Production (CPI), the project team made available a wide range of training material. Together with the access to other CPI documents it was considered that there was an opportunity for Cleaner Production Centres and other business support providers to consider developing Distance Learning Programmes (DLP) to offer by Internet or other means. A subsequent survey of selected Cleaner Production Centres (CPCs) identified that there was an interest in offering Distance Learning programmes.

Responding to such demand UNEP has developed a Guide to Developing Distance Learning Programmes (Free download PDF 4.92 MB). The Objective of this Guide is to:

• Identify the different formats, which DL could take
• List the benefits, which such training has for the learner and CPCs
• Identify the resources and costs involved
• Using the existing training programmes, illustrate how such a DL programme should be designed

Why Distance Learning?

Traditional training course events can provide places for only a limited number of people and thus can never produce a "critical mass", even in smaller countries. For every one learner who attended programmes, many more would like to have participated. However, for various reasons they could or did not wish to do so. One reason is that many older people wish to learn at their own pace. For others the cost of travelling to a training event is too high while others are just not able to get release from work. For many the events training is either too early or too late for their interest or needs. Making training available throughout the year and to start at any time is a major plus for DL. In addition, research findings show that employers are increasingly willing to allocate funds for this type of work-based training programmes. Other advantages for DL include:

• After the adaptation of the material, the cost per learner is very low
• If no learning support is offered, then a very large number of participants can take part in the programme
• As the knowledge is embedded in the material, qualified instructors are not essential
• The access to a larger number of learners allows the CPC's to expand their networks, their case studies and Consultancy, particularly in the regions
• DL programmes can also be updated quickly and allow for changes in laws and regulations
• The CPC would have available technical and training material, which they could use, in training events and presentations