Examples Small Medium Enterprises 2 Example - Hungary 7 Example - Bulgaria 8 Example - Germany 9 Web 2.0 innovation Example Sweden 6 eLearning –timeline 3 SME’s and eLearning 4 Example UK 5 Self - Employment and Enterprise 10 SME - definition 1

SME definition ( Small medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of Europe’s economy (only large firms) large firms) SME’s are defined by the number of employees and balance sheet or turnover: figures Medium: <250 employees, turnover under €50m and balance sheet less than €43m Micro: <10 employees and €2m balance sheet Small: <50 employees and under €10m balance sheets

Small Medium Enterprises 23 million SMEs in EU 75 million Europeans work in SMEs, 3/5 of all industrial jobs 2 in 3 new jobs are in SMEs Europeans less likely to setup own business than Americans, productivity is 30-40% lower Key issues include lack of skills and access to training

eLearning 10 year timeline eLearning really kicks off in around 1999 with Computer Based Training (CBT) with forums Materials and books digitised as eBooks Key developments were on-line mentoring and Learner Management Systems Supported, personalized, hands-on learning with multi-media and built in assessment

SME’s training and eLearning European research indicates ‘lack of time and skills’ as key issues for SMEs Formal E-learning not widespread (2008) Informal use of tools such as Google, Wikipedia and news sites ubiquitous SMEs don’t have support from HR or training departments to source training and sometimes believe cost will be a significant barrier Training often identified as a cost and not investment

Example UK - learndirect learndirect stared in 1999 Working with over 5000 UK businesses Delivered 2.5m business courses to date 15,800 people achieved qualification Courses starting at £19.99

Example Sweden Example In Sweden there have been many programmes both public and private working with computer and internet literacy over the last decade The term eLearning is quite diffuse Where do we go next with Web 2.0 ?

Example Hungary Example

Example Bulgaria Example

Example Germany Example

Web 2.0 innovation Learning from others, existing course materials used as guides to learning Tutors work with communities to support content development User developed so quality assurance and learner recognition an issue? Not reliant on third party for design but need skills and time to produce Interactivity Communities Quality Flexibility