The healthy way to learn

Looking after our health and learning about nutrition is becoming increasingly important to many, but gaining access to this information can be tricky. The Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) has bought nutritional information to the masses for the first time using an all-inclusive virtual learning system developed on a KTP Programme.

"The old style of teaching was essentially classroom based, restricting students to only those that could travel to the Institute" reported Chris Peat, KTP Associate at ION. "The new system enables students to learn from home through a streamlined presentation lecture accessible through a flash player. Anyone, anywhere in the world can do it. We even sell our home study courses as far out as China."

Added content such as DVDs and information for mobile handsets has also been introduced thanks to Chris's ingenuity and technical expertise. ION now have the capability to digitally record scientific experiments, and create short video clips for promotional videos that reduce the need for key speakers at student open days. "We now have the ability to offer more on-line facilities and this is not only a bonus for current students but will also attract a new band of learners for ION," commented Chris.

In addition, Chris has re-worked the company's website to be more user friendly and has analysed the dataflow and database systems currently in use at ION. "There was an urgent need to get our systems unified. Everyone was working with different databases, and had become tied up with incompatible systems," said David Nicholson, Executive Director of ION. Chris has managed to increase on-line presence by 97%, with the new website attracting over 1000 visitors a day and ION ranking in the top 10 for all major search engines.

The development of the on-line mailing list application has lead to several publications being made available online, including a free monthly newsletter and a paid subscription based newsletter, increasing public awareness. "The key to the success of this project is the transfer of knowledge. ION had a weakness in the 'e-learning' environment and they did not know how to fill it. Processes that used to take up to 3 weeks can now be done in half an hour," mentioned Chris.

According to Val Bullen, CEO, the expertise at LSBU have been invaluable. “We have found working with the KTP very supportive, tremendously helpful and very approachable. We have been very lucky to work with Dilip, an excellent academic who had extensive knowledge of our area of development.” Professor Dilip Patel who brought his expertise on computer and information sciences is also very pleased with the project’s outcomes, “ION’s professional approach to their customers has been mirrored with their approach to the KTP. Their vision has been successfully transferred to an operational level.”

The project has, in fact, been so successful that not only has Chris gone on to become E-Business Manager, the team at ION have already secured a second KTP project to develop and launch new commercial nutritional advisory services. This will create a professional network, expanding revenue generating capabilities for ION in the UK, Europe and South Africa.