eLearning Ireland

Fact: Ireland now has over 60 e-Learning companies.

Thats as many, give or take a few, as India has. In November 2002, the Irish Government devised its strategy to position Ireland as a global leader in the digital content industry with emphasis on e-Learning apart from digital games, digital libraries, telematics and wireless services, and non-media applications.

Over 280 companies are estimated to be involved in the development of digital products and services in Ireland.  Similar to international trends, the industry has developed in clusters, namely in the digital film and television, business publishing (including web design) and e-learning areas.  The primary cluster is located in Dublin, where it is estimated that about 87% of the companies are based.  Other clusters exist in Limerick, primarily in the e-learning area, and in Galway and Cork. (These numbers are from a mid-2003 report)

Ireland has thrown up companies such as SmartForce and WBT and houses major development efforts for groups such as NetG. The Irish government has been proactive in providing tax incentives to this sector. Smaller Indian companies have traditionally hankered for business from players like Riverdeep and ThirdForce. It is now time to see the larger picture which is one of increasing competition from Irish companies.

Reference: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/news.nv?storyid=single4992

Comments

[FE News.co.uk]

It is fascinating how far ahead Ireland is in terms of e-learning and technology. The UK should look to the Irish example for ways to improve the e-learning sector, as many in Further Education seems hesitant to embrace non-traditional learning.