Basketball Ireland launch ‘Helpside’ online learning platform

Click Here to access Helpside.

Helpside includes an interactive online forum for coaches called ‘Read and React’, which serves as a hub for users to engage in peer-to-peer learning, providing users of all levels of experience the space to ask questions and increase their understanding of the game.

The introduction of the new digital learning platform will see Basketball Ireland adopt a blended learning strategy, that will enable Basketball Ireland to deliver consistent learning, as well as reduce travel time and costs associated with traditional face-to-face training. ‘Helpside’ has been in beta phase since mid-December, with over 200 coaches already testing and using the system before today’s full launch to the public.

Basketball Ireland’s Online Learning Manager, Niall McDermott, designed the system in conjunction with Learning Pool, an award-winning e-learning solutions provider.

“We are excited to launch this strategic partnership with Learning Pool, one of the most innovative and fast-growing companies in the e-learning industry. Implementing our Learning Management System, ‘Helpside’, will assist the growth of the sport and help achieve many of the objectives in the Basketball Ireland Strategic Plan.” McDermott said.

He added: “As opposed to having a Learning Management System which simply hosts online courses, we want to create a platform that gives all of our members a space to engage in social learning and build a welcoming community of learners, across all aspects of our sport. We believe that ‘Helpside’ gives us the best chance of achieving this goal. We are delighted to be launching this project and are excited to see it develop over the coming years.”

Following an extensive review of the Learning Management System (LMS) market, Basketball Ireland strategically partnered with Learning Pool to reap the benefits of leading-edge technology and award-winning support. Learning Pool’s LMS was set apart from its competitors because of its social learning and gamification capabilities, which will allow Basketball Ireland to establish an online community for peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Basketball Ireland CEO, John Feehan, said: "This is a wonderful step forward for the basketball community to have a centralised online learning hub, where they can interact and learn. What the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us is that remote learning is a valuable resource and Basketball Ireland have taken the next step to ensure that those involved in our game can continue to up-skill from home, to complement our in-person courses which will be returning in due course with the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions."

FAQ’s

Q: Who gets access to Helpside?

Initially the full content of Helpside will be available to licenced Basketball Ireland coaches. If you would like to apply for a coach licence, you can do so after logging into Helpside.

Q: How do I sign up?

All Basketball Ireland licenced coaches should have already received an email with instructions on how to login to Helpside. If you have not received this e-mail please contact support@learningpool.com with the e-mail address you used on your coach licence application and they will re-issue your login details.

If you are not a licenced coach, you can create an account by visiting Helpside (Click Here) then click “Log in” and then “create new account”.

Q: What can I do in Helpside?

Helpside will continually add resources to the platform. For the launch it has a host of features including:

· Online interactive eLearning courses such as the Basketball Ireland “Pre-Intro Course”

· Coach Licencing CPD tracking

· Booking system for upcoming in-person coaching courses

· Read and React – our online forum especially for coaches to share ideas and ask questions

· Resource Library – Resources for coaches

Q: What is the cost of Helpside?

The cost of ‘Helpside’ is included in your Basketball Ireland coach registration fee and no extra payment is required.

Q: I have an issue, who do I contact?

If it is a technical issue (Can’t log in, course not marked complete etc.) please contact support@learningpool.com.

If you have any feedback on ‘Helpside’ and its contents, we would love to hear from you, please leave a message in Helpside’s ‘Read and React’, or email helpside@ireland.basketball. Feedback, ideas for new features and content you’d like to see are all are welcome!

Q: My previously awarded CPD points are not showing up?

If you completed Basketball Ireland CPD events in the past and they are not appearing in your profile please e-mail helpside@ireland.basketball.

Q: I completed the coaching licence application, but I still do not have access?

All coach license applications need to be manually reviewed and approved. Please allow 3 working days. If still no access after 3 working days, please email helpside@ireland.basketball.