Reflections from the workshop on ICT in distance learning
A workshop on the use of ICT (Information and Communication
Technologies) in distance learning was organized by the NOVA University
Network in the frame of project granted from NordPlus programme. The
workshop took place in Denmark, N�debo Skovskolen near Copenhagen in
November 8-9, 2004.
The workshop aimed to collect existing experiences in planning,
creating, running and evaluating IT facilitated teaching environments in
Nordic and Baltic agricultural universities. Three Baltic
representatives: Irena Baraskina (Latvia University of Agriculture),
Viljo Vabrit (Estonian Agricultural University) and Alvidas Sarlauskas
(BOVA secretariat and Lithuanian University of Agriculture) took part in
this seminar. Looking from the common Baltic
perspective, the outputs of two-days event may be summarized as follows:
- Most of NOVA UN member universities already did their first steps
in distance learning and first experience is available in all spectra
of distance learning starting from the use of ICT for usual campus
courses to completely distance courses without any meetings between
students and teacher.
- All Baltic universities have technical facilities to provide
distance learning by ICT means (cf.
presentations of Baltic participants) and use it mainly for
domestic courses in national language. The level of development in ICT
differs but also joint platform could be found to run joint
international courses. Especially, joint master programs and joint
intensive master courses should be encouraged to use ICT means for
distance learning.
- It is not enough to have a modern technical basis for ICT
based learning. A systematic approach is necessary and many different
aspects should be developed seeking for success in this activity.
Primarily, university teaching staff should be educated and motivated
to use the novel technologies in the education process.
At the end of seminar Baltic participants came to a common opinion
that use of ICT should be strengthened in BOVA network and especially
for the use in joint master programs and intensive master courses. It
may bring a new quality of distance learning part of intensive courses
and joint programs and save expenses due to mobility of students and
teachers. It also would be attractive for students who are usually
working nowadays.
The next workshop on ICT in distance learning has been planned for
late spring 2005 in Lithuania. All BOVA and NOVA-BOVA networks and
groups for joint master programs are encouraged to explore their
possibilities to implement ICT in educational activities. The second
workshop would very welcome concrete proposals for joint activities in
the field of distance learning. The BOVA secretariat is willing to
support all BOVA networks wishing to implement novel technologies in
their activity.
Presentations of Baltic participants on the ICT
workshop:
Prepared at BOVA secretariat
