CompuPharma News

e-Learning in the Classroom

In the last year or so, CompuPharma has received requests from trainers and instructors who wish to use our e-Lessons to train in a classroom setting. The request normally comes to us in relation to a trainer’s desire to teach a group of trainees together at the same time, rather than having individuals sit in front of a computer and work alone.

While this would appear to defeat the purpose somewhat of e-Learning, there are cases where this approach is well justified and will result in more effective training and knowledge transfer.

1. English not first language

In cases where trainees’ first language is not English, it may be quite advantageous to have a bi-lingual trainer or instructor present a lesson to the class, perhaps with the “voice-over” feature disabled and the trainer providing commentary. The self-paced nature of the lessons means that the trainer can pause at certain points and explain the content either slowly in English or perhaps with an experienced bi-lingual operator providing translation.

2. Lack of computer availability

Another instance where a trainer might want to use an e-Lesson to train a classroom of trainees would be the limited availability to all trainees of computers.

3. Trainees not computer literate

Trainees who are not comfortable with computers may respond much more favorably to an arrangement whereby they take the lesson in a classroom setting with a trainer who is computer literate.

Using e-Learning in such a way not only solves these “real-world” problems but also lets you enjoy many of e-Learning’s principle advantages, such as:

All of CompuPharma’s e-Lessons have an associated assessment designed to gauge student uptake of the training content. In a classroom environment, the trainer can have each trainee take the assessment and provide coaching if necessary on how to use the assessment feature.

If the customer possesses a Learning Management System (LMS) then the assessment feature of CompuPharma’s e-Lessons can be both taken, and the results stored, electronically. If the customer does not have an ‘on-site’ LMS, then CompuPharma’s web-based LMS, Skillpad NET, can be used by the trainer and the assessment results stored electronically or by a hard copy printout stored in a trainee file.

Bulk-API Lessons Upgraded

We have completed the upgrade of several of our e-Lessons for training of operators in the API/Bulk industry.

Our newly upgraded lessons cover the following:

PUA-500 Chemical Reactions – Introduction:
This lesson explains how to control a chemical reaction by monitoring the critical process variables.

PUA-501 Chemical Reactions – Properties:
Deals with the main physical and chemical properties needed to monitor and control a chemical reaction.

PUA-510 Distillation & Reflux:
Explains the principles of distillation and reflux. The critical control parameters of each process are described and safety issues are highlighted.

Scene from PUA-510 Distillation and Reflux

For more information on these Lessons, contact us today at info@compupharma.net

CompuPharma's additional e-Lessons aimed specifically at operators in API and bulk manufacturing include:

For more information contact us at info@compupharma.net

CompuPharma and Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is including CompuPharma’s Clinical Trials courseware in its Clinical Research Administration program. This program credentials individuals to participate in the rapidly expanding field of pharmaceutical drug and device development. There is a very strong job market for EMU’s graduates and there is considerable interest in this content by potential students all over the country as well as internationally.

Eastern Michigan University is currently working to make more of its content available in an electronic learning format. CompuPharma has been working with EMU to both host EMU’s existing training content, as well as to provide relevant content of its own.

"The quality of CompuPharma's content is excellent and its support services and hosting abilities have proven to be superior", says Dr. Stephen Sonstein, PhD Coordinator of Clinical Research Administration at EMU. He adds: "We at EMU hope to continue to expand our mutually beneficial interaction with CompuPharma."

CompuPharma helps weave Pharmaceutical Web Campus

CompuPharma’s library of e-Lessons is also now available on the Institute of Technology Tallaght’s (Dublin, Ireland) Pharmaceutical Web Campus. This coming September, students at the college will have access to CompuPharma's library of e-Lessons as part of their undergraduate and graduate school studies in Applied Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Technology and Production and Sterile Services Management.