An online training course to increase anaphylaxis education among school personnel is being recognized today with two prestigious awards from the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD). A national professional association focused on training, learning and performance in the Canadian workplace, CSTD annually recognizes effective, well-designed training programs.
The How to C.A.R.E. for Students at Risk of Anaphylaxis: What Educators Need to Know (C.A.R.E.) course is being honoured with a “Gold” for Training Excellence in E-Learning and “Winner” of Best Practices in Workplace Learning.
The course was developed by Leap Learning Technologies Inc. and partners Anaphylaxis Canada and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The tool (originally called the “Canadian Anaphylaxis Readiness Education program”) was launched by the Government of Alberta for schools across the province in fall 2010. Prior to the launch, a provincial pilot study funded by AllerGen NCE Inc., a national research network, was conducted which showed the program was highly effective for school personnel.
“We are very pleased to be recognized in the development of a solution which provides people with an engaging and effective learning experience on such an important topic,” said Dr. Anthony J. Levinson, Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, Leap Learning Technologies.
C.A.R.E. is a web-based course designed to prepare educators for an anaphylactic reaction in their school. The course provides consistent, medically-based information which teachers and administrators can access from any location and time at their own pace to learn about anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction. As anaphylaxis is a growing health concern, ongoing education is the key to better protecting allergic students and staff.
“The course helps to standardize information being provided to educators with recommendations based on current anaphylaxis-related research,” said Dr. Stuart Carr, President, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
“We were fortunate to work with so many committed stakeholders including the Alberta Government, Canadian allergists and educators, and experts in the fields of e-learning and research to develop a state-of-the-art product. We believe that this course will be of value to many different user groups,” said Laurie Harada, Executive Director, Anaphylaxis Canada.
Featuring graphics, audio narration and a virtual guide, the course was developed using best practices in instructional design and multimedia learning. School personnel and medical experts were consulted to review the accuracy and relevancy of the course content. Since 2010, the online course has been adapted for different Canadian and US clients in English and French versions. The course can be provided as a hosted, turnkey solution or packaged in a format compatible with a corporate intranet or learning management system for employee compliance training.
About Leap Learning Technologies Inc.
Leap produces high quality e-learning content for a variety of sectors, including health, real estate, and financial services industries. Guided by the evidence-informed principles of the Division of e-Learning Innovation at McMaster University, Leap develops effective online training that is characterized by its outstanding instructional design, rich media, and integration of robust information and communication technologies. For more information, visit www.leaplearning.ca.
About Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis Canada is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping those at risk for anaphylaxis and those who care for them. Anaphylaxis Canada is committed to creating a safer world for people with food allergies through education, advocacy, and research. For more information, visit www.anaphylaxis.ca.
Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI)
The CSACI is committed to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of allergy, clinical immunology, and asthma for optimal patient care. The Society is also dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with allergies through research, advocacy, and continuing professional development and public education. For more information, visit www.csaci.ca.
AllerGen NCE Inc.
AllerGen NCE is a national research network dedicated to improving the quality of life for people suffering from allergic and related immune diseases. Its mission is to catalyze and support discovery, development, networking, capacity building, commercialization and knowledge translation that contribute to reducing the morbidity, mortality and socio-economic burden of allergic and related immune diseases. AllerGen NCE invests in research and training undertaken by leading Canadian investigators aimed at generating new knowledge about the causes, treatment and prevention of allergies, asthma, anaphylaxis and related immune diseases. AllerGen NCE is funded by Industry Canada through the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program with support from partner organizations across sectors. The Network’s Administrative Centre is located at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. For more information, visit www.allergen-nce.ca.
For further information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Principal, Empower Consulting for Anaphylaxis Canada
416-996-0767 / Chris_Holcroft@yahoo.com
