E-LEARNING IN EUROPE: MOVING FORWARD

EUNIS Grenoble 2007

Viv Bell and Andrew Rothery

e-LearningTask Force

• The EUNIS e-learning Task Force was re-launched in September 2006.

• Membership is currently over 40 people.

• 20 colleagues from 9 counties attended the first meeting of the re-launched group in Birmingham in November 2006.

E-learning Themes

Themes emerged from the snapshot survey and from the meeting:

1. From “choosing” to “using” 2. Blended learning 3. Pedagogies 4. Collaborative approaches 5. Platforms

1. From “choosing” to “using”

In the past there was much debate about the best software to choose for the university Virtual Learning Environment.

Now most universities have made a decision and are now investigating how to make the best use of the system.

2. Blended learning

Earlier use of e-learning systems seemed to imply a totally online delivery.

Our evidence suggests that it is now standard practice to mix online activities with face to face teaching in a blended delivery approach.

3. Pedagogies

A further theme in current practice is to give more attention to the development of good learning design and teaching practice.

More people are thinking about usage of systems and choosing the most suitable software tools to use for a particular activity.

4. Collaborative Approaches

Many of our respondents were trying to promote collaborative approaches

Students, lecturers and learning technologists all need to be involved.

Using current trends in online systems such as collaborative content creation, group writing and shared book-marking.

5. Platforms

Here is a list of the platforms reported as being in use, the most commonly used ones first: WebCT Moodle Blackboard WWW – web pages Plus other smaller systems

Development Projects Being Undertaken

• Social software

• Roll Out

• Digital Libraries and E-repositories

• Technology Enriched Learning Spaces

Task Force Activities (1)

The EUNIS Snapshots Survey will become an ongoing service. Sections of the survey have been rewritten by the “Snapshot Group”. A revised questionnaire will be available from the EUNIS website and regular reports and analysis of the data will disseminated to EUNIS members.

A second group undertook to gather case studies of good practice across Europe. These will be called E-Learning Highlights.

Task Force Activities (2)

An award in the memory of Jens Dorup will be launched at EUNIS 2007.

The Task Force will help make arrangements for receiving entries and judging the award.

The award will be given to an individual who has demonstrated innovation in e-Learning.

Task Force Activities (3)

The fourth group has investigated EU funding opportunities in particular the current Lifelong Learning Network Programme. This group will help to advise and encourage partnerships.

Finally, a “Futures Group” is looking at strategies, communities of practice to see what new applications of e-learning are being promoted and taken forward.

BOF Session today!

Future Visions of E-Learning: Project Ideas

14.00 till 15.30 this afternoon! Room R1 Please come along to develop ideas for

projects. We are hoping people will volunteer to

work on or lead projects.