World's best selling word processing package benefits from
cognitive psychology

Sybase Education today announced the first of a series of
learner led training packages designed to be the most
intuitive multimedia packages available for end users. Using
a task-based approach, following Sybase's Next Generation
Learning (NGL) methodology, the product, 'Visuals for Word
97TM' is available for just £70.

A team of cognitive psychologists developed the multimedia
course in Holland and it is now being launched by Sybase in
the UK. Its 100,000 existing students include Microsoft
Office users from Philips, ABN Amro and the Dutch armed
services. English versions of Visuals for Excel 97 and
PowerPoint 97 will follow with support for other languages
and other NGL products planned.

Key to the success of NGL products is the ability to combine
Beginners and Advanced tutorials in a single package,
effectively cramming a three to four day course into a one
day tutorial (backed with a highly-visual textbook for
on-site follow-up training). So far, it has achieved an
unprecedented 98% 'highly satisfied' rating from students.

"Using NGL-developed products such as this cuts training
costs, by playing to the various strengths of different
media and following the natural adult learning process."
Said Justin McCarthy, manager of Sybase Education, "The
trainer demonstrates the capabilities of software products
during the class whilst providing state-of-the art reference
materials which are both highly intuitive and task based.
Students therefore learn what is possible during the class
and learn how to do it subconsciously through repetition by
following the Visual manuals on the job."

The product's developer, a dyslexia sufferer, Dr. Jos van
Graas, said: "The package was specially developed with a
quick reference, but complete, visual handbook for busy
people to use every day. While traditionally you leave
classroom training knowing what you can do, it is often
impossible to remember how you do it. Adults prefer our
approach because adults in the modern workplace survive by
avoiding information, so we have developed our programme
with this as our starting point."

"This product is the answer to the prayers of corporations
facing basic IT skills shortages but unable to justify
extended off-site training. Sybase Education was attracted
to the product because of its fit with our Next Generation
Learning philosophy. We are excited about its ability to
dramatically reduce wastage in the training process, and
achieve consistently better results," added McCarthy.

ends

About Sybase Education

Set up specifically to address the growing need for
life-long skills refurbishment in fast moving organisations,
Sybase Education is a world leader in career-enhancing
training. Using techniques refined over two decades, Sybase
Education aims to be the pre-eminent educational
organisation specialising in flexible learning.

Today, Sybase Education trains over 60,000 students across
45 countries in 17 different languages annually. Its work
includes course content development, classroom learning and
remote training using the advanced technology only available
to Sybase Education, as a subsidiary of a global top ten
software company.

Using proprietary methods, its course development
methodology allows trainers to develop relevant courses with
digestible modules which can then be conveyed by tutors
using a variety of techniques from classroom learning to
Computer Based Training, or even interactively, via the
Internet.

Initiatives such as the Next Generation LearningTM
methodology and the Passport To Knowledge flexible course
structure programme embody many of the principles which
makes Sybase Education the leader in skills transfer for
organisation's facing the future today; cost-efficiency,
convenience and results-orientation backed up by proven
training expertise.

*Why is conventional classroom-based training often not
effective?

Sybase Education's research has shown that the key
challenges for management in providing effective training
are:

· Time - students often cannot be provided with enough time
away from their jobs to attend sufficient classroom training
that will enable them to learn effectively

- Cost - sending students on sufficient formal training
courses to achieve desired results inflicts high direct and
opportunity costs on companies

- Flexibility - each person learns in different way and at a
different rate. Research has shown students who are able to
own effectively and control their own learning experience
have better training outcomes.

- Change - products and service cycles are shortening all
the time and information sources are proliferating. Keeping
up-to-date is a constant challenge, this means that students
need access to learning materials that are updated
constantly and quickly redistributed