GIA launches eLearning courses

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has launched a new, online, multimedia format – eLearning, for its distance learning courses in gemology and jewellery sales. The venture invites students for the GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) diploma programme.

GIA will conduct tutorials through video for hands-on demonstrations, interviews with experts, instructor lectures and “see it for yourself” segments. Voice capabilities will help the student learn about proper pronunciation and explanations from specialists. The platform is a truly in-depth learning experience – involving the audio, video format for people to read, hear, see; and be more interactive with the subject matter.

Donna Baker, GIA president and chief executive officer, said the change to eLearning takes advantage of the latest Web-based applications to create a multifaceted learning experience that integrates text and images with video, audio, slideshows, animations and interviews. “As GIA revolutionised the industry and gemological education 78 years ago by delivering home-based gemology courses, we’re doing it again today with Web-based eLearning. We believe this is the future of all GIA’s distance learning,” said Baker. “Delivering our courses via the Internet makes the same high-quality information more readily and consistently available to people everywhere, and encourages the standardised, professional development of the jewellery industry worldwide.” She added.

GIA plans to extend this eLearning capability to all its Distance Education courses as the Institute develops the multidimensional instructional content required for each GIA eLearning course. Duncan Pay, GIA Course Development director said, “This eLearning is a logical extension of our existing text-based services. As digital media capabilities have expanded, we have been able to add our large collection of videos and images to the eLearning experience. We started rolling out eLearning with the A.J.P. because it is an important introductory gem and jewellery programme that teaches the essentials of product knowledge and sales information for diamonds, colored stones and jewellery. The benefit is that people can earn the prestigious GIA A.J.P. diploma via eLearning for the same low price as before, at their convenience via a computer, with a greatly enriched curriculum that offers an easier-to-obtain and better retained education.”

The eLearning platform provides all coursework, materials and lessons online along with questionnaires, and an un-proctored final exam for the A.J.P. programme. Feedback is immediately received.

A student can contact a GIA staff through email or phone. Print materials for the A.J.P. courses are available for purchase upon request. The printed course materials for Jewelry Essentials and Diamond Essentials each cost $40, and $50 for the Colored Stone Essentials course, plus shipping and handling charges and applicable sales tax. A live demo is available on the GIA website.