Since 2009, Global Giveback has received the enthusiastic support of the e-Learning community. Members of this community have volunteered in droves to support international humanitarian causes, by contributing online learning applications to non-profit organizations worldwide through this competition. (See Figure 1.)
The eLearning Guild and LINGOs founded the Global Giveback competition two years ago and sponsored the first two competitions. Now, in the third round, OpenSesame will join them in sponsoring the eLearning Global Giveback competition.
In addition to the expanded sponsorship, there will be other changes. “We’ll have four course-entry categories this time,” said LINGOs Executive Director, Eric Berg. “The Categories will include learning simulations or games, learning where the subject matter expert and content comes from the field (vs. HQ), mobile learning, and a general category.” Volunteers may enter either as individuals or teams of individuals, or as corporate entries where a team from one company works together to develop a course.
“The eLearning Global Giveback is a cross between the Academy Awards and the Nobel Peace Prize,” said The eLearning Guild’s co-founder Heidi Fisk, in announcing the winners of the first Global Giveback in March 2010. She was only half joking. E-Learning volunteers, partnering with LINGOs member agencies, have developed over 50 courses for LINGOs member agencies in the last two years. Some are proprietary courses, but some are being shared with the LINGOs community and others are made available to programmatic beneficiaries, such as the courses volunteer Amanda Warner built for LINGOs member ACCION in the first two competitions: “Build, Manage, and Improve your Credit,” and “Client Protection and Financial Education Simulation.” Both of these courses are available on the SMART Campaign Website.
“We look forward to promoting the Global Giveback competition throughout 2011,” said OpenSesame CEO Don Spear. “OpenSesame is committed to using our platform to invite more people into the e-Learning sector to generate diverse and creative content to benefit learners worldwide.”
The Global Giveback provides the e-Learning community a very real way to help the organizations doing important humanitarian relief, development, social justice, and conservation work around the world to do it even better. These agencies need e-Learning courses to help their staff learn important skills and gain knowledge to do their jobs even better. In some cases, the learning audience is beyond the agency, and includes some of their beneficiaries and volunteers (for example, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, clinician or teacher training).
To facilitate the matching process between volunteers and agencies in the 2011 competition, organizers are leveraging the LinkedIn professional network. Volunteers and agency representatives should join the eLearning Global Giveback Group on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=3131298&trk=anet_ug_grppro and follow the listed instructions. Courses developed in 2011 on a volunteer basis for LINGOs member agencies and submitted by December 16, 2011 are eligible for the competition.
To participate:
LINGOs member agencies should post messages to the LinkedIn eLearning Global Giveback group regarding course needs (a separate post for each course), with specifics about their topic, objectives, audience, specifications regarding authoring tools, whether the volunteer can use the course in a portfolio, and the timeframe for development. Please be sure that your LinkedIn profile includes information about your agency (link to the agency LinkedIn profile where one exists).
Volunteers should highlight their e-Learning instructional design and e-Learning development skills in the LinkedIn Profile. This info can be highlighted in the Summary and Skills sections of the LinkedIn Profile. Once you’ve joined the eLearning Global Giveback group, please post a message that describes your interest, and any time restrictions (for example, “Hi, I’m an instructional designer and XXX Authoring tool user, interested in developing a … Simulation/mobile/field-generated learning resource. I have time available to volunteer in June and July 2011 (for example).” Please keep in mind that the discussions persist and dates will not be clear to future readers unless you include them.
About the eLearning Global Giveback
Now in its third year, sponsored by The eLearning Guild (http://eLearningGuild.com), Open Sesame (http://OpenSesame.com) and LINGOs (http://lingos.org), the eLearning Global Giveback Competition provides the e-Learning community with an opportunity to help change the world. International non-profits that do great work in relief, development, conservation and social justice use e-Learning to build the capacity of their global staff on the frontlines in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union. Agencies that are members of LINGOs (Learning in NGOs) are eligible to participate.
About LINGOs
LINGOs is a not-for-profit consortium of over 55 international humanitarian relief, development, conservation, and social justice organizations that share learning resources and experiences. By providing the latest learning technologies and courses from our partners, LINGOs helps these agencies strengthen their greatest resource, their global staff. As globally dispersed staff members increase their skills, they increase the impact of their programs.
Created in 2005 as a means for organizations to share learning resources, the LINGOs community is continuously expanding. LINGOs has served as a central contact point for private-sector organizations interested in assisting the sector but who want to see their contributions of software, courseware, systems, and services leveraged across many organizations.
Through the generous support of partners in the private sector, LINGOs makes available a wide range of courses as well as tools for developing, distributing, and implementing learning strategies.
About The eLearning Guild
The eLearning Guild is the oldest and most trusted source of information, networking, and community for e-Learning Professionals. As a member-driven organization, the Guild produces conferences, online events, e-books, research reports, and Learning Solutions Magazine — all devoted to the idea that the people who know the most about making e-Learning successful are the people who produce e-Learning every day in corporate, government, and academic settings. Guild membership is all about members sharing with, and learning from, other members. That’s why we call it a Community of Practice. Our goal is to create a place where e-Learning professionals can share their knowledge, expertise, and ideas to build a better industry—and better learning experiences — for everyone.
About OpenSesame
OpenSesame connects learners and content providers directly in a marketplace where e-Learning courses are easy to publish and connect to any LMS. Open Sesame’s open marketplace connects e Learning content providers with the thousands of companies shopping for e-Learning courses. OpenSesame’s goal is to create a community where both buyers and sellers thrive and e-Learning is accessible, easy to implement, and rewarding for everyone.
For more information,
Please contact Marian Abernathy, LINGOs Director of Member Services & Communication.
Tel: 919.210-5938
Email: marian (at) LINGOs.org
