University of Agder. Marit Aamodt Nielsen. The challenge of an open and more online world. 27th February 2012

Transcription

1 University of Agder The challenge of an open and more online world Marit Aamodt Nielsen 27th February 2012

2 University of Agder New as a university (2007) Funded by the government students 1000 academic and administrative staff members 150 study programmes Five faculties Research based Grimstad Two campuses: Kristiansand Grimstad Kristiansand

3 University of Agder Our perspective: Mainly campus based studies today and in the future Wide range of different subjects in our portfolio 46 Bachelor s programmes 33 Master s programmes 10 Ph.D. programmes Lifelong learning courses ECTS Label and Diploma Supplement

4 Strategic goals Our strategy rests on five pillars, of which two are of particular relevance for our seminar: We aim at developing: 1) Close ties and cooperation with the region 2) Innovative use of technology and communication media

5 Kristiansand New campus in 2001

6 Grimstad New campus in 2010

7 The open and online world Questions we must address: How can we bring our identity and our values into an Open and Online world and should we do so? How do we, as a predominantly campus-based university, address the challenges of the online world? How does the development of modern technology reflect upon the way we teach and meet our students t campus students as well as distance students?

8 PULS - an important agent for change at the University of Agder PULS / Centre for Educational Research and Development PULS offers a variety of courses mainly for scientific staff members. One of Puls main activities: Basic course in university pedagogics in order to enhance the ICT-supported teaching (not yet compulsory) Shorter courses ICT-supported teaching e-teaching online courses in study strategy and essay writing Pulsebua Aim: to improve technical skills Beta-UiA: homepage reflecting ongoing ITC or technical activities meant to inspire colleagues

9 From Læringsarena 2020 to DDU (The Digital University) Læringsarena 2020 ( ) Aim: Develop new technologies for enhancing learning outcome, contribute to research and improve administration. The project encouraged the departments and staff to apply for resources to develop net based studies or an increased use of new technologies at various domains (3 Mill NOK) Led to 72 different projects with a very broad scope Outcome: Such an effort needs clear leadership, clear focus, and resources, both material and personal.

10 The Digital University (DDU) ( ) A project in its very beginning, that has Læringsarena 2020 as its starting point. Funding: 10 mill NOK mill the following years Focus on more comprehensive projects with impact on the institution as a whole One of the main projects in 2012: digital exams More projects to come

11 Technology and teaching Status: Learning platform for all courses Homepage for all courses Examples of exam papers with marks available on the internet In progress - and in use to a varying degree: Digital curriculum Electronic books Electronic room reservation (by mobile phones) for students Digital it boards Video-based teaching, online-teaching, Camtasia relay Skype, facebook and blog for communication Digital exams

12 Challenges Our students are digital natives The campus students want more flexible ways of learning than before edutainment The students want an immediate response The faculty members are reluctant to offer blended learning due to the lack of resources Members of our faculty feel uncomfortable with the electronic devices The different devices require technicians disposable at any time A digital university requires well functioning cooperation between faculty, ICT and library Visible leadership Common goal

13 Distance and online studies Our distance studies are primarily established to facilitate student groups we normally do not reach by our campus studies alone Combining: Online learning Local groups Face-to-face sessions locally Face-to-face sessions on Campus Motivated by: urgent demands of the region a general national demand a national demand for specialists an international demand

14 Some examples Meeting demands of the region: Nursing a tree year full time programme Main goal: Avoid brain drain from small, regional municipalities with scattered population Enhance local l competence Cooperation with many small local municipalities: in the recruiting process in facilitating local meeting places in organizing g practice in funding the programme

15 Meeting national demands: d Enhancing competence and quality A national campaign: shorter full time mostly online-based studies to enhance teachers skills Courses for school librarians Part of a national 40 mill NOK project

16 Meeting international demands: Master's programme in Development Management Partly funded by the Norad's Programme for Master Studies (NOMA) Collaboration with a network of universities world wide Main partners: University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka Mzumbe University, Tanzania Mekelle University, Ethiopia Makerere University, Uganda Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana United Nations University, Tokyo

17 We go for blended learning All of our distance studies show a mixture of different teaching methods: online-based sessions on campus or elsewhere video-based Motivated by the fact that: Both students and teachers have various preferences Different methods improve both the learning and the teaching process

18 Thank you!