Scottish and Austrian Perspectives on Delivering a Master's

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. McLuckie ◽  
Michael Naulty ◽  
Dharmadeo Luchoomun ◽  
Harald Wahl

This article explores the transition in course delivery from a paper-based format to blended learning, and highlights the role of the virtual learning environment (VLE) in this process. Professional practice in postgraduate programmes in particular is investigated during this transition stage at the University of Dundee (UoD) in Scotland, and the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien (UASTW) in Austria. In this transition, UoD is developing and implementing a ‘Master's Framework’ supported by the VLE, ‘MyDundee’, which is built on the Blackboard e-learning platform. Similarly, UASTW is exploiting the Campus Information System (CIS) based on the open-source e-learning platform Moodle. Although the methods used to promote and practise e-learning differ at the two universities, their common aim is to support students' and professionals' learning when face-to-face contact time between students and tutors is significantly reduced. The use of collaborative and peer-assessed tools like e-portfolios, newsletters, discussion forums, Wikis and group puzzles are used as means of satisfying a delivery model which reflects socially constructivist principles of learning.

Author(s):  
Aissetou Drame Yaye

The University Abdou Moumouni (UAM) of Niamey in Niger mainly focused on traditional face to face learning, and even the existence of the African Virtual University since the years 1999 did not change the situation. It is only after the official opening at the University of the Francophone Digital Campus in December 2003 that lecturers and students started overseeing and taking advantages of all the benefits of e-Learning and distance learning. The present paper builds on the author’s personal initiatory experience in e-Learning to highlight some specific challenges that traditional universities such as the UAM face in their efforts to introduce e-Learning and distance learning as a new mode of course delivery. The study shows that even though challenges are big, political and institutional support can freshen the perspectives and change opportunities into realities.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Dorner ◽  
Jörg Scheffer ◽  
Roland Zink

Thanks to easier operability and a growing range of functions, open source products are increasingly being used in teaching GIS to students of various course programs. The elaboration of such courses poses the challenge of taking into account different study paths, allowing for student autonomy (e-learning), and choosing the right software. The article suggests answers to these questions by presenting the classes offered at the University of Applied Sciences in Deggendorf and the University of Passau since winter 2010/11 as well as ideas for future course offers.


Author(s):  
Luca Botturi ◽  
Lorenzo Cantoni ◽  
Benedetto Lepori ◽  
Stefano Tardini

This chapter presents a successful Swiss experience in developing and effectively managing virtual campus projects: eLab, the eLearning Laboratory of the University of Lugano and the University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland. eLab activities are presented at two distinct moments in time. We first describe the context of e-learning in Swiss higher education institutions, focusing in particular on the Swiss Virtual Campus programme. During that programme, eLab emerged as one of the best performing e-learning support centres in Switzerland, thanks to three main elements: the establishment of a clear prototype-based design and development model, the definition of quality control procedures, and the implementation of a consistent and institution-wide online learning environment. After the end of the programme, eLab had to switch from a project-oriented laboratory towards a service unit. The general strategy that drove this change and the concrete tools and practices that made it possible are presented in this chapter.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rosalinda Cassibba ◽  
Daniela Ferrarello ◽  
Maria Flavia Mammana ◽  
Pasquale Musso ◽  
Mario Pennisi ◽  
...  

The focus of this research is how Sicilian state university mathematics professors faced the challenge of teaching via distance education during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic entered our lives suddenly, the professors found themselves having to lecture using an e-learning platform that they had never used before, and for which they could not receive training due to the health emergency. In addition to the emotional aspects related to the particular situation of the pandemic, there are two aspects to consider when teaching mathematics at a distance. The first is related to the fact that at university level, lecturers generally teach mathematics in a formal way, using many symbols and formulas that they are used to writing. The second aspect is that the way mathematics is taught is also related to the students to whom the teaching is addressed. In fact, not only online, but also in face-to-face modality, the teaching of mathematics to students on the mathematics degree course involves a different approach to lessons (as well as to the choice of topics to explain) than teaching mathematics in another degree course. In order to investigate how the Sicilian State university mathematics professors taught mathematics at distance, a questionnaire was prepared and administered one month after the beginning of the lockdown in Italy. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were made, which allowed us to observe the way that university professors have adapted to the new teaching modality: they started to appropriate new artifacts (writing tablets, mathematical software, e-learning platform) to replicate their face-to-face teaching modality, mostly maintaining their blackboard teacher status. Their answers also reveal their beliefs related to teaching mathematics at university level, noting what has been an advantageous or disadvantageous for them in distance teaching.


2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allys Guerandel ◽  
Kevin Malone ◽  
Patrick Felle

AbstractObjectives: To introduce and evaluate a computer assisted learning programme in undergraduate psychiatry (CAL-PSYCH).Methods: An interactive e-learning environment was created within the University College Dublin portal to assist students in acquiring the necessary skills in undergraduate psychiatry. The pilot phase consisted of providing their lectures on-line on the interactive site. Data were gathered from the last group of students in 2001 (pre-CAL-PSYCH) and the first group of students using CAL-PSYCH in 2002. We included assessment of percentage of students accessing the site, attendance rates at face-to-face lectures and tutorials, and also a feedback questionnaire from students who accessed the site.Results: All responders had used CAL-PSYCH. Students gave higher ratings for quality and interactivity of lectures compared with the pre-CAL-PSYCH curriculum. Students also expressed enthusiasm about CAL-PSYCH and encouraged us to develop it further.Conclusions: Computer-assisted learning environments such as CAL-PSYCH provide the opportunity to bring modern e-learning techniques to medical education, and may provide a new model for life-long learning in medicine.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Favrin ◽  
Elisabetta Gola ◽  
Emiliano Ilardi

Abstract Nowadays, at the time of convergence culture, social network, and transmedia storytelling – when social interactions are constantly remediated – e-learning, especially in universities, should be conceived as a sharing educational activity. Different learning experiences should become smoother and able to fade out the closed learning environments (as software platform and classrooms (either virtual or not)). In this paper, we will show some experiences of the Communication Sciences degree program of the University of Cagliari, which is supplied through an e-learning method. In the ten years since its foundation, the approach has evolved from a blended learning with two kinds of traditional activity (online activities and face-to-face lessons) to a much more dynamic learning experience. Many new actors (communication companies, local government, public-service corporations, new media and social media) – indeed – have been involved in educational and teaching process. But also these processes changed: collaborative working, new media comprehension, self-guided problem solving are examples of the new literacies and approaches that can be reached as new learning objectives.


Author(s):  
Manfred Rechberger

<p>Computer assisted and computer based applications become more and more important in everyday lives. Their implementation in the field of music education seems to become a long-term project. Whereas years ago we were sure about the fact, that the quality of e-learning at our University of Music and Performing Arts depends on the implementation of audio-visual media at our e-learning platform, nowadays the text based tasks and written journals have won the race at least in the statistic of usage. </p><p>Many modules containing multimedia based content promote creative processes and different learning situations. Advantages of e-learning include flexibility and convenience for learners, especially if they have more variety in learning experiences by using multimedia applications. This paper deals with the change of our user behaviors in the last years, discussion forums, blogs, wikis and collaborative online activities and focuses on tools for musicians, composers and music scientists based on the actual status of the discussions in media pedagogies. A scientific project including surveys about the advantages and disadvantages of digital teaching repositories describes common used online music tools. </p><div><span><strong><br /></strong></span></div>


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Susanne Maier ◽  

The family-friendly university audit (“audit familiengerechte hochschule”) is studied. The audit is available to German universities in order to support a familyfriendly working environment. Practices of an auditor coordinating several workshops for rectorate, HR department and functionaries, as well as representatives of all university groups are considered. The experience of the auditing at the University of Applied Sciences – Public Administration and Finance, Ludwigsburg is analyzed.


2021 ◽  

Nothing has highlighted the importance of digital teaching and learning opportunities more obviously than the Corona pandemic. This book therefore focuses on multicodal or multimedia digital teaching. The authors examine it from various perspectives and make suggestions for successful didactic implementation. In addition to general topics of digital teaching, they devote particular attention to visual literacy, which plays a special role in multimedia teaching. Criticism of teachers' lack of digital skills alone will not lead to success. Therefore, ways are shown here how these skills can be acquired. Tips and concrete examples for suitable apps, serious games, and online training courses round off the volume. Christina Maria Ersch is a staff member/DaF coordinator at the International Office of the University of Applied Sciences Mainz and lecturer at the University of Mainz. Her research interests lie in (university) didactics, especially in the implementation of competence orientation and digitalization of teaching of teaching, intercultural communication, and the influence of emotions in of emotions in (foreign language) teaching. Dr. Marion Grein is head of the Master's program DaF/DaZ at the the University of Mainz. Her work focuses on language teaching research (neurodidactics), intercultural communication, and digital teaching.


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