Case Studies / Forest Industries Ireland

Helping FII champion timber as a sustainable construction solution.

Product & Service

Custom eLearning

Use Cases

Sustainable Practices

Key Challenges

Needed to appeal to a wide audience.

Increase awareness about timber as a sustainable product.

Change behaviour to better environmental impact.

Forest Industries Ireland (FII) places timber and forestry at the heart of Ireland’s rural economy. Recognised for the high-quality employment they provide and the sustainable timber products they deliver, FII's mission is to spread the word about low carbon options amongst the built-environment community.

Sustainability is central to their work, and they bring together companies from across the forestry and timber supply chain—from forest owners and forestry companies to timber processors, wood product manufacturers, and renewable energy producers.

Our industry needs to create the link between forests, climate, and wood.
Des O'Toole
Marketing & Communications Director

The Challenge:

FII wanted an innovative way to reduce barriers to the use and specification of home-grown timber as a carbon solution for the built environment. The messaging needed to appeal to a wide audience, from professionals to hobbyists, who could access the information in various locations, from building sites to offices and homes. The key challenge was to create an online experience that would resonate with learners, increase awareness about timber as a sustainable product, and thereby impact behavioural change to better our environment.

The Solution:

Building an LMS and hosting the content

FII aimed to create a custom Learning Management System (LMS) to host their Timber Spec CPD courses. Cobblestone Learning built the LMS on the WordPress platform, providing the flexibility and functionality needed to meet FII's needs.

The development process began with designing the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of the LMS to ensure easy navigation and a seamless learning experience. We integrated FII branding to maintain consistency throughout the platform. The LMS features include a course catalog, course enrollment, progress tracking, and reporting capabilities. A certification element was added, allowing users to receive proof of completion via a certificate.

To ensure scalability and adaptability, the LMS was developed using a modular approach, allowing features to be added or removed without disrupting functionality. The platform was optimised for performance and speed, using the latest web technologies and a dedicated hosting environment with cloud-based servers and content delivery networks (CDNs). Robust security measures, including regular backups and monitoring, were implemented to ensure data safety and integrity.

Timber Spec LMS homepage screen from Forest Industries Ireland sustainable timber construction solutions

Developing the learning content

Using our ‘engage, study, practice, summarise’ model, we created an evocative and memorable learning experience that resulted in Timber Spec CPD—a series of courses to educate, inspire, and change behaviours towards the use of home-grown wood. We conducted a deep analysis of source materials and selected engaging learning experiences for both professional and DIY learners. Short and vibrant explainer animations maximised engagement, and interactive icons and knowledge checks were incorporated throughout.

To reinforce the sustainability message and facilitate knowledge retention, study elements with graphic-driven activities and scenarios were introduced. Summary elements provided mechanisms for checking comprehension and consolidating key points. Audio transcriptions, alt text, and a tabbed browsing experience catered to learners with different abilities. The modern design is fully responsive and accessible on all devices, regardless of location.

Timber Spec mobile responsivity of eLearning courses on sustainable timber use in construction

Some of the exceptional elements of the learning experience

Branching Scenario

A video-based first-person branching scenario where users get to choose next steps and experience the benefits or consequences of their choices during a working alone simulation.

Aerial Drone Footage

The use of aerial drone footage with motion graphic overlays, allows learners to visualise parts of forestry sites and close-up shots of harvesting machinery in operation that has never been seen in Coillte before.

Extensive Video Use

The various stages of a harvesting operation were filmed over 3 months. We created a time-lapse view of harvesting in proximity to powerlines that shows correct tree markings and safe operation at each stage.

Animated Explainers

Use of animated explainer videos at the start of each course provides the learner with an overview of the topics and fosters early engagement with the content.

Dynamic Layout

Dynamic layout design of the course content provides optimal display for the learner, whether they are taking the course on a mobile phone, tablet or computer.

Promoting Timber Spec CPD

In addition to creating educational and inspiring CPD courses, key to the project's success was generating excitement about the launch and raising awareness. Social media campaigns asked simple questions and made powerful statements to attract interest. The use of imagery to evoke emotion and strong statements to relay the sustainability message played a crucial role in promotion. Balancing the messaging to showcase commercial forestry, harvesting, and the product of wood while promoting environmental and carbon benefits was essential.

The Result:

The first phase of Forest Industries Ireland's free online Timber Spec CPD courses launched in September 2021, covering sustainability, structural timbers, durability and preservatives, landscape applications, and timber frame. The online training now champions wood to professionals and hobbyists by driving demand through specifiers with support and technical guidance on the correct use and specification of home-grown timber.

Timber Spec CPD helps build a future for home-grown wood by raising awareness, increasing preference for local timber, strengthening industry influence, and supporting education and skills development. The courses are free for all and available on the Forest Industries Ireland website.

Cobblestone Learning continues to work in partnership with Forest Industries Ireland to further develop the Timber Spec CPD series.