Ten years of Port Management Training and a look to the future

Christopher Atwell, Director of Education and Training, IBC Global Academy and Lloyd’s
Maritime Academy, IIR Ltd, Informa PLC, UK.

Chris Atwell is the Director of Education and Training for IBC Global Academy and is also
accountable for the corporate training division of Lloyd’s Maritime Academy. In both roles he
is responsible for leading the development and delivery of courses and managing relationships
with clients, students, academic bodies, course personnel and external associates.

Prior to working for Informa PLC, Chris spent three years as the marketing manager of
specialist naval architect and a shipyard, having left academia where he had progressed over a
ten year period from being a researcher to a senior lecturer and course leader with
responsibility for the BSc in Maritime Business in Southampton. Prior to this, he started his
career working for a maritime research and systems engineering company where he was
involved in European Union sponsored maritime research projects and in the development of
VTS systems and simulation exercises.

Chris has a degree in marine navigation and ocean science from the University of Plymouth
and a masters degree in marketing management from Southampton Solent University.

Christopher Atwell, IBC Global Academy, IIR Ltd 29 Bressenden Place, London. SW1E 5DR UK
Telephone +44 (0)20 7017 4497, email chris.atwell@informa.com.

Introduction

Informa, originally via IBC and more recently Lloyd’s Maritime Academy (LMA) and IBC Global
Academy (IBCGA), has been delivering distance learning for 10 years. One of the first courses
to be developed was the Diploma in Port Management in conjunction with the National Sea
Training Centre at North West Kent College (NSTC) in the UK.

LMA and IBCGA are both divisions of IIR Ltd, part of Informa PLC. Informa is the leading
international provider of specialist information and services for the academic and scientific,
professional and commercial business communities, with over 150 offices in more than 34
countries. Informa is the largest publicly-owned organiser of conferences and courses in the
world and runs over 12,000 events annually, whilst also publishing over 2,500 subscription-
based information services including academic journals, real-time news and structured
databases of commercial intelligence. Informa's book business has more than 40,000
academic and business titles in print, and the company is renowned for its publications
including Lloyd’s List, Containerisation International and Cargo Systems, as well as the TOC
exhibitions and conferences.

This paper will set out the work undertaken by LMA and IBCGA on both public “open” courses
and the corporate “closed” distance learning course deliveries; consider the lessons learnt; the
advantages and disadvantages of distance learning as a training delivery method before
looking to the future. The paper also features some examples of our port related distance
learning work.

What is distance learning?

Distance learning can be defined as any situation where the tutor/trainer and the learner are
separated by either time or distance.

A short history of distance learning

Distance learning is not new – despite its recent increase in popularity due to electronic
delivery methods such as the television, cd/dvd and the universal take up of the internet, it
has grown from correspondence courses that originated in the 1700s. With the availability of
modern technology, the original written and printed educational materials which were
delivered by post have been updated and now the distance learning experience tends to be a
blend of various delivery technologies. However, the concept is no different now than in the
1700’s - the learning is designed to allow anyone to gain valuable job knowledge and skills
even if they are based well-away from an education provider, or their jobs do not permit them
to regularly attend a training establishment.

The revolution in the scale of distance learning available originated in the 1960s when
specialist educational television programmes started to be broadcast during what had been
non-transmission periods for normal television. Growth was rapid and led to the creation of
distance learning universities which were of comparable size to traditional universities, for
example the Open University (OU) in the UK and numerous replications of the OU in the USA.
Both these institutions (and many others) utilised the vastly improved postal system and a
variety of other communications technologies, such as the television, to help provide learning
to students who were off-campus. This was the start of massive growth in the sector as
distance learning started to realise its potential. Consequently, distance learning as we know it
now is still in its infancy as a method of study, and is still developing. Nevertheless, there is
no doubting that it is fast developing into a uniquely dynamic, interesting and valuable learning
experience for its participants. The Open University currently has 210,000 students enrolled
and following programmes of study by distance learning, with 3 million having completed
courses since it opened – it is now one of the world’s largest universities.

Distance Learning Today

Distance learning is now offered through a variety of formats including radio, television,
CD/DVD, video, and especially, over the Internet. It can be argued that the internet has
brought about the biggest change in distance learning since the establishment of the OU due
to the ease of access, global coverage, the instant nature of communications, the ability to
communicate in a two way form, and the ability to search for further information.

With the wide distribution and accessibility of computers, ever quicker connection speeds and,
more recently, the current economic downturn placing cost pressure on attending classroom
training, distance learning has become more prevalent than ever before. Virtually all
universities and other training establishments now offer some kind of distance learning, with
some being solely an online distance learning institution. Offered courses have usually been
specially designed to help best meet the needs and requirements that arise when learning is
taking place outside of a traditional classroom setting.

Of course, schools are not the only people who are taking advantage of distance learning -
many businesses have found it a valuable tool in making employee education and training
quicker and more cost efficient. Solutions range from very short courses delivering product
training through to far longer academic programmes that can be studied without interrupting
work commitments.

Distance Learning with IBCGA and LMA

Distance learning commenced at IBC, another part of Informa, in the late 1990s when the
NSTC wished to commence running correspondence courses, but didn’t have the funding to
invest in content, the infrastructure to deliver it or the route to market. IBC provided the seed
funding to commercialise the idea and in 1999 the first course in Ship Management
commenced, closely followed by a course in Port Management.

Through various changes and restructuring, the courses were all moved into LMA in the early
2000s until, as part of a wider restructuring, a decision was made in 2008 that LMA should
refocus on “ship based courses” whilst some courses should return to the original IBC
branding, in the form of IBCGA, which would address the ports and wider logistics area.
Despite the change, IBCGA and LMA continue to work closely together.

Over the last 10 years the number of distance learning courses have grown, the partnerships
with other academic institutions and professional bodies have increased, and different levels of
award are offered. From the original two courses, LMA and IBCGA now offer many more on a
public basis, plus further courses developed especially for individual companies. Publically
available courses include:

Lloyd’s Maritime Academy IBC Global Academy

• Certificate in Chartering • Certificate in Container Terminal

• Certificate in Cold Climate Shipping Operations*
• Certificate in Ice Operations Management • Certificate in Freight Forwarding
• Certificate in Marine Technology • Certificate in International Freight
• Certificate in Practical Number Documentation*
Management • Certificate in International Trade and
• Certificate in Salvage Response and Crisis Maritime Transport
Management • Certificate in Liner Trade*
• Certificate in Shipping • Certificate in Oil and Gas*
• Certificate in Pipeline Engineering
• Diploma in Crew Management • Certificate in Terrorism Studies
• Diploma in Marine Purchasing and Supply
• Diploma in Marine Surveying • Diploma for Harbour Masters
• Diploma in Ship Agency • Diploma in Health and Safety
• Diploma in Ship Finance Management*
• Diploma in Ship Management • Diploma in Logistics Management
• Diploma in Ship Superintendency • Diploma in Management Studies*
• Diploma in Small Craft Surveying • Diploma in Port Management
• Diploma in Terminal Management*
• Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Insurance
• Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Law

• MBA in Shipping and Logistics* * New courses currently in preparation

Academic partners include the NSTC, World Maritime University, University of St Andrews,
London Metropolitan University, Newcastle University, University of Plymouth and Middlesex
University amongst others, and with roles varying in each case. Many industry bodies are also
involved, along with recognised industry experts from industry and academia.

Courses are run publically on a regular basis with set recruitment dates (often annually,
although some are more frequent), with more than 2,500 students enrolling in 2008. In
addition, a dedicated corporate training team manages the bespoke delivery of these courses
as in-company training, and adapts content and delivery methods to match client needs,
including start dates and duration, customising content by including additional client specific
information, varying delivery methods to bring in more blended learning varying assessment
methods, reporting to client training managers or mentors, and delivering new courses to
match client specific needs.
Does distance learning work?
After 10 years of experience in distance learning, the answer is definitely yes. Evidence of this
is having past students approaching IBCGA and LMA to request higher level courses as they
have reaped the benefits of undertaking a course and want to progress even further.
However, it must be recognised that some people will always prefer to attend classes in
traditional settings due to their learning style or expectations. For others, distance learning is
the learning style of choice as it offers a lower cost longer term learning engagement, study
can fit around available time without interfering with work or family arrangements, the training
is non-geographic specific and does not require travel, and is free of any other considerations
that may preclude individuals from attending traditional classroom courses.

Despite personal choice, the question is often raised in academic circles as to whether distance
learning is as effective as attending classroom sessions. Numerous research reports have
been conducted, and results suggested that:
• Distance learning "works" in the sense that students experience as least as much success
when they utilise distance learning modes as compared to when they pursue conventional
bricks and mortar education.
• Distance learning programs are cost-effective learning and training investments, either for
students, companies or for governments.
• Some students do better than others based either on grades and subsequent academic
success when undertaking distance learning courses as the format matches their learning
style – just like some do better than others in classrooms!
• Often a distance learning faculty can be more experienced than a classroom equivalent as
distance learning courses are able to drawn in a wider course team.

On the whole, the numerous research reports produced on the subject conclude "no significant
difference" exists between the accomplishment of a distance learning student and a classroom
based one, but a student’s learning style(s) and receptivity to distance learning influence the
overall student success.

How is distance learning delivered?

A wide range of technological options can now be used. Some separate the tutor and learner
over space and some over time. There are many ways to provide distance learning and
endless ways to combine methods and the various methods can be grouped into five
categories:
1. Voice - Instructional tools include live and pre-recorded telephone calls, conference calls
(audio conferencing), audiotapes, recorded audio webcasts etc.
2. Video - Pre-recorded instructional video tools include slides, film, videotape and DVD.
3. Data (computer-based systems and the internet) – Instructional information relying on
computers to send and receive data between a tutor and a learner. The learner may work
independently on computer or web-based activities or courses. Sometimes the learner
participates in chat rooms, or submits information to discussion boards. Information may
be received or submitted via email, and video clips can be watched via your computer.
4. Print - The first distance learning methods used print in correspondence courses, and this is
still valid and popular today. Print formats include textbooks, study guides, workbooks,
course syllabi, and case studies etc.
5. Outreach - Outreach involves students and tutors travelling to a specific site. At that site
the tutors may employ traditional methods or any combination of the above methods to
support other distance learning undertaken.

Depending on the methods used for a course, synchronous instruction (when the learner
and instructor are interacting at the same time) or asynchronous instruction (when the
learner and instructor are interacting at different times) is occurring. Examples of synchronous
and asynchronous types of distance learning are:
Examples of Synchronous instruction
• Computer chat rooms
• Interactive video instruction
• Outreach instruction
• Face-to-face classroom instruction
Examples of Asynchronous instruction
• Computer discussion boards
• Web-based instruction
• Correspondence course
• Computer-assisted instruction

How do IBCGA and LMA deliver distance learning?

In the early days of distance learning for IBC all the course content was printed and shipped
out to participants, however with everyone being at the will of postal operators, delivery has
made some advances. All IBCGA and LMA distance learning courses are now delivered over
the internet using a dedicated online learning management system (LMS) which manages each
participant’s learning schedule. Some courses are delivered as full SCORM compliant e-
learning, whilst others consist of PDF documents which can be worked through on the screen,
or downloaded and studied offline. For longer and more detailed programmes of study,
students have stated they still prefer the more traditional correspondence course style of
written workbooks, rather than pure e-learning, and these are delivered as PDF documents
which can either be printed by the student, or purchased printed and bound from IBCGA or
LMA. This approach permits the students to read at their leisure and make notes on the
materials etc. Where we do deliver pure e-learning, students have requested they have a
printed workbook as well.

All courses are supported by online chat rooms which permit easy networking between
participants, as well as more formal forums for content related discussions. All forum
discussions are retained for the duration of a course and allow students to cooperate across
time zones and share knowledge, experience or discuss the course content with other students
and course tutors.

Online assessments are managed by the LMS and can be used to test student understanding
and learning, whilst traditional written assignments are currently managed off-line by relevant
course academic partners.

Public (open) courses may include optional seminars and an exam at the end of the course
(which depends on any accrediting body’s requirements).

In-house corporate deliveries can be customised to the client’s requirements. This may
include additional instructor led workshops to reinforce learning, additional content specially
authored in partnership with the client, alternative assessment arrangements, client supported
tutoring, mentoring and/or coaching programmes and additional online testing and
assessment.

Example of IBC Global Academy distance learning for the ports industry:

Diploma in Port Management

12 month duration

Course Content:
Module One - Introduction to the Business of Ports
Module Two - People Management
Module Three - Business Management
Module Four - Port Economics
Module Five - Finance, Accounting and Budgeting
Module Six - Effective Safety Management in Ports and Terminals
Module Seven - Port Environmental Management
Module Eight - Port Security and Emergency Response
Module Nine - Project Management: Principles and Techniques
Module Ten - Case Study: Port Development Project
Specialist Modules:
Module A - Marketing in the Ports Industry
Module B - Managing Marine Operations in Ports
Module C - Managing Cargo Operations in Ports
Module D - Port Engineering Services and Management
Module E - Design of Systems and Operations in Container Terminals

Diploma for Harbour Masters

12 month duration

Course Content:
Module One - Role and Functions of a Harbour Master
Module Two - Managing Marine Operations
Module Three - Managing Harbour Staff
Module Four - Finance and Asset Management
Module Five - Marine Environmental Management
Module Six - Managing Pilotage Services
Module Seven - Managing Vessel Traffic Services
Module Eight - Port Security and the ISPS Code
Module Nine - Managing Emergencies
Module Ten – Strategy, Marketing and Media
Module Eleven - Managing Leisure Use in the Port

Diploma in Logistics Management

12 month duration

Course content:
Module One - Integrated Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Module Two - Inventory Management Supply Chains
Module Three - Outsourcing Trends and Best Practice
Module Four - Finance, Costing and Financial Control
Module Five - Logistics Contracts
Module Six - freight Transport Industry Part One – Introduction and Development
Module Seven - Freight Transport Industry Part Two – Road, Rail, Air and Sea Transport
Module Eight - Warehouse and Distribution Centre Design
Module Nine - Key Issues for Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Module Ten - Information Communications Technology and Supply Chains
Module Eleven - Performance Measurement and Improvement – Optimisation Strategies

About to be launched:

• Diploma in Terminal Management

• Diploma in Health and Safety Management

• Diploma in Management Studies

• Certificate in Container Terminal Operations

• Certificate in Liner Trade

What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning?

Distance learning can be highly beneficial to a large variety of people - from people wanting to
expand their horizons to those looking for more job security. With courses being delivered at
different levels, distance learning can meet the needs of a diverse student body. With
unemployment currently on the rise and competitiveness for jobs high, having additional
training and education can be an advantage whether someone is in the market for a new job
or simply wants to progress in their existing position. The potential for salary increases with
additional training is a benefit few can argue with when contemplating pursuing a distance
learning program.

Like any kind of educational program, distance learning comes with advantages and
disadvantages, and it is always important that a student or company carefully considers these
in order to be sure you’ll be getting an education that meets personal needs, strengths and
career goals, and corporate objectives.

Benefits of distance learning include:

• Flexibility - students can undertake their course from just about anywhere, providing they
have the right communications means, which is mostly just a computer and internet
connection. This allows students to work when and where it is more convenient for them
without having to squeeze in scheduled classes to an already busy life. The hours when
study can be undertaken are flexible, and students can work at their own pace and on their
own time, completing work during times when they are free, rather than scheduling their
lives around a set classroom time. This is particularly important from a corporate
perspective as students will not have to interrupt their normal work day and can learn from
their own homes, at work on their lunch breaks, when travelling etc
• No travel - Taking a course online can be one way to cut down on costly transport and
accommodation costs. Since students can often work from the office or home to undertake
their study and complete their assignments, both time and money are saved in cutting out
the trips to and from class. Distance learning is also a great tool to help reach students
who are in geographically remote areas and may not have readily available access to
educational facilities or who want to explore opportunities not offered by their local
colleges.
• Choice - If you live in a location with few or no colleges, or your subject area is specialist
and not many people deliver it, distance learning allows you to choose from a wide variety
of training providers to complete your education, greatly expanding your choice. Distance
learning allows training colleges to provide access to their courses and for students to learn
about topics and get qualifications that they might not otherwise be able to pursue.
• Level and progression - Distance learning training can help you obtain everything from
introductory certifications to a full MBA.
• Lowered costs - Prices for online courses are generally cheaper than their classroom tutor
led counterparts and without the usual additional costs, such as commuting,
accommodation, meals etc, that are incurred when learning away from home.
• Tutor support – Tutors can teach students from all around the world and, using
technology, allows them to work collaboratively on projects, focused content and
educational enrichment via modern delivery methods. Distance learning brings in tutors
who would not normally be available to the students.
• Learn while working - As distance learning can usually be completed on your own
schedule, you can keep working full time whilst studying. Keeping your job gives you more
income, experience and stability while completing your course, giving you less to worry
about and more time to focus on your studies. Because the course programs are generally
flexible and can be completed during free time, students will be able to continue in their
current job role whilst working towards their ultimate professional goals.
• Professional classmates – mix and network via online forums with like minded
individuals on a global basis.

Of course, as with anything there are possible disadvantages to studying by distance learning:
• Format isn’t ideal for all students. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for distance
learning. If a person has problems with motivation, procrastination and needs lots of
individual attention in day to day life, they should think long and hard before enrolling on a
distance learning course.
• Requires adaptability to new technologies. If a student is someone who has never
been one to love working with technology they will probably get a lot less out of an online
distance learning course than a more tech-savvy colleague. An online distance learning
 student needs to feel comfortable working with computers and with online programs before
signing up for a course.
• Lack of social interaction. If the classroom environment is what an individual loves most
about learning, they are unlikely get the same level of interaction through the live
interactive chat rooms, discussion forums and through email correspondence.

How can students maximise the opportunity offered by distance learning?

Students who work well independently and who are strongly motivated to succeed in their
goals will benefit the most from taking a distance learning course. As students are not in a
classroom and will not be closely monitored by a tutor, reading, projects and other
assignments must be completed in a timely fashion – learning time management skills as a bi-
product. Those who are able to set deadlines and avoid the temptations of frequent
procrastination will benefit the most from these types of settings. Particular tips for students
to succeed at distance learning are:
• Set yourself targets for completing the course – maybe with a specific reward at the end.
• Set aside a quiet area in which to study where you will not be interrupted by your
colleagues, family, telephone, television etc.
• Plan your week and schedule regular time to undertake your study.
• Start studying a module as soon as it is released.
• Read the course materials and concentrate on what you are reading.
• Take frequent pauses in which to organise and review the material in your mind.
• At the end of each study session, review everything you have read, making notes of
important points. Undertake any assignments and tests promptly – do not delay and let
them build up. Target to complete them early.
• Engage in social interaction with fellow participants via the course forum and chat room -
introduce yourself to other participants at the start of the course via the forum.
• Regularly check the forum and discuss subject issues with your fellow participants

Distance Learning in the Future

With the ever increasing accessibility of computers and the internet, how will distance learning
evolve in the coming years? Most distance education today takes place using the Internet,
now readily accessible for the vast majority of students whether in their own homes or at
offices. The Internet is increasingly used to distribute the distance learning material, keep
students in touch with tutors, and provide access to communication between students. Of
course, distance learning can use other technological formats as well including television,
DVDs, teleconferencing, and printed material, but the immediacy and functionality of online
internet based learning has made it a first choice for many distance learners providers and
students.

Technology is constantly improving, with distance learning courses constantly evolving in order
to take advantage of more effective delivery methods, as well as ways to make keeping in
touch and effectively communicating ideas easier and more efficient. As an example of the
pace of change, IBCGA/LMA will be moving to their third learning management system
implementation in ten years later this year.

The latest developments in the delivery of distance learning are making it increasingly easy to
develop e-learning, such as publishing tools that interface with Microsoft PowerPoint rather
than cumbersome propriety authoring systems of only a few years ago, or better learning
management systems that manage the delivery of distance learning, or developments that
make it easier to interact with tutors and fellow participants such as via online tutorials or free
voice over internet communications.

One area that is growing rapidly and will have a significant role to play in distance learning in
the future is the growing numbers of quality free open source systems are being developed.
This will open access to even more people by bringing down delivery costs, whilst increasing
system capabilities for engaging the student. One of the leaders in open source is Moodle,
which is a free web based LMS application that course deliverers or companies can use to
create effective online learning sites, and another open source solution is DimDim as an online
classroom. Open source allows you to use other people’s concepts and plug-ins, whilst
developing your own add-ons to match your requirements.

All of these, coupled with the younger generation of learners that now represent a significant
proportion of the workforce for many organisations and who have grown up with the internet -
they are digital natives whereas their parents were not - and are far more used to studying
online, means distance learning has a good future. However the student group needs to be
understood to ensure that distance learning delivery matches their preferences.

Conclusions

Over the 10 years that IBCGA and LMA have been delivering distance learning courses,
including for the ports industry, a great deal has been learnt about student learning styles,
who is suited to distance learning and the technology for effective delivery. Distance learning
is not right in every situation, but is an extremely effective means of training delivery for many
people. IBCGA and LMA have continued to develop new courses, and make improvements to
existing courses, with new course development often driven by industry demand or specific
company requests.

The technology of distance learning is moving more quickly than ever before, with the change
from printed materials to online delivery, with several generations of learning management
systems already consigned to history, and open source systems taking on the large legacy
system vendors. Technology is providing new opportunities for developing distance learning,
especially in the important interaction between tutors and students.

Given the growing popularity of this type of learning one thing is for sure - distance learning is
a resource for education and training that is popular with students and will be around for years
to come.