What does ODL mean?

O : open

D : distance

L : learning

Which is the ODL pedagogical approach?

0 = Open

• Open in time, space and composition of the group,
• Operates and progresses according to the needs and resources of the participants.

D = Distance

• mobility of participants and tutors,
• recourse to internet tools for the distribution of materials and work.

L = Learning

• Apprenticeship through experimentation on case studies and concrete examples,
• Sessions follow a clear and precise teaching scenario and call on resources such as course materials, extracts of quality systems results, videos, multiple choice questionnaires, etc.
• Pre-corrected files & examples of “best practices” are available for self-evaluation of course work.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ),
• Forums, animated by course tutors, allow replies to complementary and specific questions
• Individual comments from a tutor for certain work
• List of works, complementary lectures and internet site addresses, allows participants to go deeper into a subject according to their specific needs
• Self-assessment of the learning progression using multiple choice questionnaires and auto-evaluation exercises

Why distance learning?

• We live today in an era of “life long learning”, a constant evolution in business with new challenges; all with an accelerating rate of change;
• Every manager is concerned ; training no longer concerns only those who “have the time” to train themselves.
• Diary constraints are often so limiting that training is not seen as pressing;
• Classic training has hidden costs: expenses (travel, overnight stays, etc), problems with employee absence,
• Lack of efficiency: training programmes are often heavy and assimilation is weak. Training groups can be made up of people of different levels, giving the impression of either “wasting time” or the opposite, “not able to follow”

In this context, distance learning (or ODL – Open Distance Learning) offers undeniable advantages:

• Flexibility
• Personalised rhythm
• Efficiency
• Targeted subjects
• Broader exchanges
• Follow-up over time

How are the ODL courses structured?

Modules  Sessions  Activities  Resources  Production  Feedback

Each course is divided in chapters, which are subdivided in sessions, following a defined educational logic. Each session covers a specific topic. To complete a session, try not to exceed the duration recommended by the tutor of 25%.

Going through the session, you will be 2ubmitted several activities. For instance, completing a reading, doing an exercise or commenting a case study.

To perform an activity, you will have resources, like

• links on websites
• electronic files in Word, Excel, PowerPoint or pdf, that you can store on your PC
• your tutor, who can answer questions through forums.

For each activity, you will be asked to produce an output. It can be a comment, an exercise, a self assessment test or a report. For each output, your will receive a feedback in the form of an automatic test, a standard answer or a specific answer of you tutor, which enables you to evaluate your understanding and knowledge acquisition.

Sessions and related forums remain accessible during the whole course duration. This allows you to return periodically on already visited forums in order to discover what other participants did bring as inputs.

Are we supported by a tutor during the training?

Yes, you have a designated tutor that follows your progress during the course.

He is a specialist of the matter and is able to answer any question you might have.

You can contact him through the forums, per e-mail or by phone or skype in case of need.

The tutor assesses whether you succeeded at the end of the course.

What certificate is delivered at the end of the course?

Participants of the ViaSyst distance learning courses receive an attestation of participation signed by the course director.

What are the advantages
(for the participant and his organisation) ?

• pragmatic approach to training subjects
• deepening of knowledge using concrete examples, directly usable
• exchanges of experience
• programmes developed « à la carte »
• no disturbance due to absence of personnel

Is it possible to personalise the courses?

Yes, the sessions of a course may be assembled according to the results of a preliminary knowledge assessment. This happens either individually or for a group, for instance par participants of the same company.