E-Learning in Science and Technology via a Common Learning Platform in a Lifelong Learning Project

By Freddy Priem, Renaat De Craemer, Johan Calu, Fran Pedreschi, Thomas Zimmer, Sylvain Saighi, Jarmo Lilja


Date of publication: 16.03.2011
Tags: distance learning, blended problem-based learning, electronic learning platform, remote measurement, virtual laboratory experiment, international co-operation, student mobility

Published at The European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning – EURODL

Abstract

This three-year Virtual Measurements Environment curriculum development project for higher education within the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union is the result of intense collaboration among four institutions, teaching applied sciences and technology. It aims to apply the principles and possibilities of evolved distance and e-learning in originally traditional course materials and laboratory experiments during all the stages of the learning and assimilating process. One of the challenges for the consortium was the use of a common electronic learning platform. By filling in questionnaires the students at the partner institutions could contribute to the usefulness of the developed outcomes. Some students even volunteered to go abroad to a partner institution for a short time to execute and evaluate some tasks and laboratory experiments, and thus creating added value to the e-learning possibilities.

The project outcomes are diverse, ranging from physics to electronics. Subsequently, they can be integrated into a broad spectrum of topics. When taking all the developed modules and laboratory experiments the student is awarded a maximum of 20 ECTS credits.

On the whole, this Erasmus project was fascinating not in the least because of the possibilities of the blended problem-based learning model and the difficulties raised by the common electronic learning platform – both technically and pedagogically.

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