The elements

1. Coaching and the Art of eLearning

Essentially CPeO is a complete coaching package for educators and experts who want to build eLearning structures in their institutions or companies.

The program is primarily intended for,

• Professors, teachers, lecturers, trainers
• Knowledge managers,
• Educational managers

Working in companies or institutions, such as:

• Universities and Colleges (especially departments offering further education)
• Companies and Corporations with specialized training needs
• Institutions for Vocational Education and Training
• Adult Education Centers
• Distance Learning Providers
• Schools

2. Hands-on-Coaching

To attain these objectives H&R, and partners built a dynamic and coherent teaching model. Based on their specific needs participants learn to build real coaching services and courseware simultaneously by following Standard Operating Procedures sequenced to facilitate clear communications, fast original content production, and easy publication of coaching services over the Internet:

• Business Development
• Project Management
• Planning Instruction
• Course Production
• Course Management
• Tutoring
• Evaluation

As the entire coaching program is composed of authentic project work a considerable amount of time is saved during and after training. Another advantage to this approach is that it is strongly impact orientated: It requires and provokes creative “management of change” skills.

The following tables shows the advantage of the effective action oriented coaching methodology applied in comparison with traditional training approaches focussing on knowledge dissemination. Train the trainer programmes in the recent years have shown that eLearning capacity building require action and change in the real job world in order to succeed.

3. Modular Structure

CPeO modules are structured according to modified WebQuest methodology - Introduction, Task, Process, Resources, Evaluation, Conclusion, Poll, and Credits & References.

The CPeO-approach deviates from the San Diego State University method by focusing, not just on group works, but individual tasks and achievement, where one individual is responsible for his/her final courseware product and service.

Distributed as pdf-files and accompanied with additional e-mailed advice, CPeO modules provide practical guidance on how to get the most out of existing resources:

Learning materials such as

• Online or media resources, analysis, studies, videos, audios…

SOP-tools such as

• Checklists, templates, and software applications…

4. Real Assessment Methodology

1. Authentic: CPeO assignments are practical and authentic. Joining the coaching program at any time will quickly lead to tangible and visible results. CPeO modules contain precisely structured tasks delivered and published online, ontime, as portfolio assessments.
2. Efficient: Learning time is about 10 – 12 hours per week with some optional tasks. In order to be qualified, all mandatory tasks have to be completed within a set time frame. This ensures timely publication of deliverables both globally and individually. And determines a good working rhythm in order to ensure regular progress and success.
3. Full Assessment: Deliverables are assessed by the Instructor Team, and more generally, by Peer Reviewing. This method treats the adult learner as an educational expert. Regular peer reviews enhance autonomy, critical analysis, and personal expertise. They also foster communications and discussions among colleagues.
4. Higher Motivation: Maximum transparency and clear evaluation criteria are essential for true assessment. This is assured by using rubrics, an authentic assessment tool which is particularly useful in assessing criteria which are complex and subjective. Proved an invaluable source of motivation, they offer clear learning guidelines, and present the individual’s progress.
5. Results: Final certification is issued by the Tele-akademie / University of Applied Sciences Furtwangen, Germany in collaboration with Hoffmann&Reif. Two types of certificates are available in keeping with the level of performance, participants can either achieve a "CPeO Business Certificate" or a "CPeO Certificate of Participation".

5. CPeO Tutoring Standards

Excellent tutoring support is the single most important success factor in blended learning systems. Courses which demand the highest efforts from their participants must also guarantee the highest quality support through:

• Selected qualified tutors
• Online support, hotline, helpdesk, and face-to-face meetings
• Learning support via e-mail
• Individual feedback on deliverables
• Examination by expert instructors
• Personal coaching for the project work
• Technical hotline during the course production phase via Instant Messaging and Voice over IP
• Close cooperation with on-site eLearning Competence Centers – eLCC – offering complementary support services

Low drop-out rates, high motivation levels, and strong participant satisfaction, are synonymous with CPeO-programs.

6. CPeO elearning Communities

On one hand, eLearning communities are built on a dynamic elearning platform which promotes:

• Teamwork activities and face-to-face workshops
• Eventual international and regional workgroups associated with institutions and local eLearning Competence Centers
• Peer reviewing to facilitate expert discussion and debate
• Sharing experience among participants and experts
• Initiation of self-help technical matters
• Special events such as games, fun learning, quizzes …
• Communicating with clarity, frankness, and respect

On the other hand, the CPeO technical learning platform provides:

• Online portfolio publishing
• Special features from our LCMS (Learning Content Management System) including a Bulletin Board with alert functions
• Mailing list for sending “push” information to the community
• Skype chat and VoIP functions
• Yeepa online gaming environment