Author: – Lavinia Dinca – SIMAVI
The goal of Work Package 8 (WP8) is to promote a cyber-resilient culture in the energy supply chain. It also outlines the procedures for collaboration between operators in the energy supply chain and other EPES infrastructures, building on existing practices and governance.
An integral part of WP8 is Task 8.2: Training and awareness for EPES operators, led by SIMAVI. The partners participating in this task are: ENG, CINI, ACS, FRAUNHOFER, INF, ICS, BER, BEN, ELES, PETROL, ARN, HOPS, EMP, ELV, TEL, CRE.
The goal of this task is to disseminate the innovative methodologies and best practices developed in the project and to create and launch specific awareness campaigns and training materials as part of CyberSEAS project. The main result of these initiatives is the creation of the the CyberSEAS Learning Platform.
There are two main components of the CyberSEAS Learning Platform:
- eLearning courses
eLearning has become a key adjunct to the actual world. The traditional educational institutions (schools, universities) use eLearning to prepare learners to adapt to the society’s needs; organisations use it as a strategy to leverage their intellectual capital, to create new skills and increase performance of their employees.
To be successful in the emerging digital world, we have shifted our thinking from designing relatively static distance-learning solutions (such as classroom extended, course-based experiences, and reconfiguring existing courses and content resources) to digital, interactive, reusable objects that can be used in different virtual spaces, in multiple scenarios and instructional sequences. The challenge calls for highly personalized learning solutions that help learners respond to their defined needs and allows them to manage their own learning experiences. Our training solutions are suitable also for blended learning allowing EPES operators to organise learning paths using different types of content and classroom training.
The instructional design of the eLearning courses follows recognised eLearning standards applicable to all types of content. Emphasis is laid on the variety of learning activities, providing learners with a great variety of learning resources, from highly interactive do-type activities, such as simulations and problem-solving activities, to less interactive absorb-type activities that are very efficient in delivering large amounts of knowledge.
The Graphical User Interface (GUI) and interactions follow the current best practices in user-centred design and learner-centred design respectively, providing a familiar and intuitive interface and a pleasant experience for learners building on the experience we acquired during the latest UI standards.
The eLearning courses development was based on storyboards developed between eLearning experts and Subject Matter Experts. Each course has a set of learning objectives (based on Bloom’s Taxonomy or any other appropriate agreed source, based on international best practice) that define the course structure and learning activities. While learning objectives and the scientific content are provided by the Subject Matter Expert, the learning activities are shaped by the eLearning Expert (Instructional Designers).
Digital content developed within this project uses cognitive strategies that are open, heuristic and problem oriented. They are complementary to acknowledged instructional algorithms.
The eLearning courses are provided at least in the following formats:
- standalone – exe, iso and html;
- SCORM packages compatible with the Learning Management Systems used world-wide.
- CyberSEAS Learning Management System
CyberSEAS Learning Platform is a digital ecosystem designed on the versatile WordPress framework. Learning Management System (LMS), the hub for all your educational needs regarding CyberSEAS and EPES. Our LMS is designed to provide you with a seamless and user-friendly experience, making learning more accessible and engaging than ever before.
CyberSEAS Learning Platform leverages key WordPress plugins to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly learning experience:
- At the core of CyberSEAS Learning is LearnPress, a robust Learning Management System (LMS) plugin.
- Wordfence security plugin fortifies the platform with a robust firewall, continuous threat intelligence updates, and regular malware scans.
- New User Approve plugin (Enhanced User Registration Control) & LoginPress plugin (Improved User Experience)
- Insert or Embed e-Learning Content into WordPress plugin – simplifies the integration of e-learning materials into the CyberSEAS Learning Platform.
The CyberSEAS platform has the following main characteristics:
- Innovative:
- Built on WordPress CMS with LearnPress LMS plugin, and Articulate Storyline as authoring tool.
- Other WordPress plugins used for seamless integration and UX: Insert or Embed Articulate Content, New User Approve, and LoginPress.
- Engaging:
- Courses tailored for EPES operators, reviewed by SMEs working on the CyberSEAS project pilots.
- Visual enhancements tools used: Synthesia Studio, Camtasia and Adobe Photoshop.
- Secure:
- Security measures for the platform using Wordfence Security plugin.
- Continuous improvement and community involvement.
- Interactive with Articulate Storyline:
- Our courses come to life through Articulate Storyline, a powerful e-learning authoring tool, that allows us to create interactive, scenario-based content that enhances learner comprehension. Through articulate we offer:
- Scenario-Based Learning
- Rich Multimedia Integration
- Responsive Design for Any Device
- Interactive Courses with Articulate Storyline:
- Camtasia and Adobe Photoshop played a crucial role in enhancing our course materials. Camtasia enriches video elements, while Adobe Photoshop ensures visually stunning graphics, creating a visually stimulating and engaging learning environment. These tools offer:
- Enhanced Video Elements with Camtasia
- Visual Excellence with Adobe Photoshop
- AI-driven video synthesis for education:
- Synthesia Studio revolutionizes content creation with AI-driven video synthesis. It seamlessly generates lifelike avatars delivering dynamic, multilingual presentations. Enhancing user engagement, it integrates seamlessly into our courses, creating a personalized and impactful learning experience for a global audience. Through AI we can achieve:
- AI-Driven Video Creation
- Multilingual Capabilities
- Dynamic and Impactful Presentations
- User-Friendly Interface:
- Our LMS boasts an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, ensuring that you can access your courses and learning materials without any hassle.
- Diverse Course Offerings:
- Whether you’re interested in cybersecurity, energy systems, or a wide range of other subjects, our LMS offers a diverse catalogue of courses to cater to your educational interests and needs.
- Interactive Learning:
- We believe in active learning, and our platform is equipped with various interactive elements, including quizzes, discussions, and simulations, to keep you engaged and help you retain knowledge effectively.
- Progress Tracking:
- Stay on top of your learning journey with progress tracking. You can monitor your course completion, review scores, and assess your development over time.
- Mobile Accessibility:
- Learning shouldn’t be limited to a single device. Our LMS is accessible on various devices, enabling you to learn on your terms, wherever you are.
- Self-Paced Learning:
- We understand that your schedule may be busy, and our self-paced courses allow you to tailor your learning experience to your own availability and preferences.
- Certification:
- Many of our courses offer certifications upon successful completion. These certifications can be valuable in advancing your career and showcasing your expertise.
- Synthesia Studio revolutionizes content creation with AI-driven video synthesis. It seamlessly generates lifelike avatars delivering dynamic, multilingual presentations. Enhancing user engagement, it integrates seamlessly into our courses, creating a personalized and impactful learning experience for a global audience. Through AI we can achieve:
- Camtasia and Adobe Photoshop played a crucial role in enhancing our course materials. Camtasia enriches video elements, while Adobe Photoshop ensures visually stunning graphics, creating a visually stimulating and engaging learning environment. These tools offer:
- Our courses come to life through Articulate Storyline, a powerful e-learning authoring tool, that allows us to create interactive, scenario-based content that enhances learner comprehension. Through articulate we offer:
The following courses were developed:
Courses:
- Awareness and training for EPES operators
- Italian Pilot – Testing scenarios and Tools
- Slovenia & Croatia Pilot – Testing scenarios and Tools
- Romanian Pilot – Testing scenarios and Tools
- Finland Pilot – Testing scenarios and Tools
- Estonia Pilot – Testing scenarios and Tools
- Tools Descriptions: 20 courses.
The CyberSEAS Learning Platform was successfully launched in December 2023, and it has been operating seamlessly ever since.
The CyberSEAS Learning Platform can be accessed using the following link: https://lms.cyberseas.eu/.
- To access and enrol to learning modules, the users should provide name, username and e-mail address.
- The users can self-enrol and access the public course and request access to the private courses.
For more details please visit the intro page: https://cyberseas.eu/learning/.
