ISS is ready to pioneer this new dimension of learning with the introduction of an IT Technology & Management knowledge portal, Knowledge@Work, a new capability of the Virtual Institute (VI). It will enable the learner to learn at a faster pace from on-line content that is perpetually refreshed and shared across the community. It encourages collaborative learning and exchange of critical knowledge and insight that is relevant, applicable and contemporary to the IT community that ISS endeavors to nurture, train and educate.

Specifically, you'll have access to content such courselets, on-line tutorials, webinars, white papers and "must-read" topics that all IT professionals should know. You may employ facilities to annotate others' work, reflect and register your thoughts, share it with a workgroup, or even pose a challenge for others to respond. Input from your peers, other practitioners, ISS lecturers and other specialists or experts in their fields can shape your views and possibly spur on new opinions and applications.

At ISS, we strive to deliver and promote quality education where high-impact learning and exchange transpire in a continuum. Your active participation will undoubtedly enrich the community of IT practice in Singapore, which in turn, will elevate IT competency and professionalism in the industry we serve and lead.

Learn to learn faster

Today's digital infrastructure enables education and learning to reach new dimensions that were previously restricted and reserved for research and academia. Content that is delivered and exchanged via the internet continues to grow at exponential rate. Newspaper and trade journal circulation has shifted dramatically in recent years from that consumed on paper to that which is read electronically. The period between learning and applying can be shortened significantly as knowledge is readily acquired on-line and on-demand. New value can be derived from such a method of learning. If a knowledge gap is recognized and can be bridged by on-demand learning, the specific work can proceed without loss of time or delay to the program.

The solution to on-demand learning is more than a repository of useful content that serves the needs of the knowledge seeker. The sophisticated digital infrastructure can in fact serve as a vibrant "knowledge market". That is, not only can it transact products such as learning content, it can also offer services such as advice and insight from trusted knowledge enthusiasts. In other words, knowledge extends from that which is explicit - the "know-whats", to that which is tacit - the "know-hows". Valuable perspective that stems from practical experience with the subject can be circulated, exchanged and possibly challenged leading to new insights that can largely benefit the community. Learning no longer needs to take place in isolation. Instead, it can be very dynamic, interactive and even richly diverse.

IBM Collaborates with ISS

Under a MOU signed between ISS and IBM on 31 August 2004, IBM has agreed to collaborate with ISS to foster continuous professional development in IT Management and Technology via Knowledge@Work, a portal for On-Demand Learning.  The areas of collaboration include establishing the platform infrastructure, contributing relevant/contemporary content and providing consultative support to upgrade the IT professional community.

IBM has generously offered ISS access to software technologies via the IBM Scholar's Program as well as to its vast expanse of digital content hosted on their various portals. Further, IBM has committed to consultative resources who are experts in their field to support the initiative. ISS has implemented open source technologies for the Virtual Institute platform which hosts Knowledge@Work and runs on the robust and scalable IBM servers. ISS intends to take advantage of the IBM partnership to maximize the value extended to the targeted community by exploiting the products and services offered by IBM to amounts at or exceeding SGD $1M.