Unlike many college-based courses, all your learning materials are provided as part of your study. Designed so they fully complement each other, they are cross-referenced and easy to use to ensure you make the most of your own study time and that your learning experience is enjoyable and successful.
Learning materials include:
- workbooks
- textbooks
- podcasts and MP4s
- online resources
Workbooks
Each subject you study comprises of a series of workbooks which are made up of mini-chapters called worksessions. Taking around an hour to complete, worksessions are practical, informative and easy to follow.
They guide you through how to apply the knowledge in the textbooks, address typical issues you're likely to meet at work, help you prepare for assignments or exams and link you to other learning resources. And because they're in bite-sized chunks, you can fit them in during a lunch hour, on the train or bus or wherever you have some free time.
In a recent study commissioned by CIPD Flexible Learning+, learners cited the workbooks as a key resource in delivering the core learning in an accessible and appropriate bite-sized chunks, making it more possible to achieve the home study.
'The library of workbooks are fantastic for summarising things. I’ve found them really helpful at work.'
Textbooks
You’ll also have the CIPD textbooks to provide you with all the background knowledge and theory you need to complete your qualification. Your workbooks are cross-referenced to relevant sections in your textbooks, so you don’t waste valuable time trying to locate the right information.
Podcasts and MP4s
The workbooks also link you to a range of audio material based on current hot topics and issues faced by HR and L&D professionals. They’re lively and interesting with contributions from leading academics and practitioners, as well as respected keynote speakers from CIPD conferences. These are a great way to bring important subjects to life and give you unique insights from senior HR and L&D practitioners.
A unique aspect of CIPD Flexible Learning+ is the online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which enables you, your study group and your facilitator to work collaboratively and support each other in between your face-to-face group workshop sessions.
Between workshops, you will use the VLE to stay in touch with your study group to help and learn from each other in online discussion forums. There you can swap ideas and thoughts, and find out what you need to do to prepare for your next workshop.
The VLE will also help you to structure your study, guiding you through the different resources you have at your disposal so you know what you should be doing and when. It gives you access to many additional resources from a wide range of journals, textbooks and other essential information sources, including CIPD research. We have picked out the relevant information so you don't need to spend hours doing research around a subject area yourself.
'Brilliant. Really good idea. Everyone was on there. It’s a great place to go on and say ‘where are you at? How are you getting along with this?’ Things happen at work and you can go on the VLE and say ‘guys, I’ve got a problem at work – anyone experienced it before?’