[03/05/2007]
The Open University of Catalonia has started up its first own course in English: the European Certificate in E-Learning Course Design and Teaching. A pilot test began this month involving thirteen students from a number of European countries: Finland, Estonia, Romania, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The course is designed to train professionals in the use of ICT, information and communication technology.
The UOC starts up its first own course in English on education and ICT
The aim of the course is to provide students with the skills needed to design, implement and coordinate educational processes using ICT. Above all, e-learning and the use of learning environments as a complement to face-to-face learning are key to improving the quality of the education offered. The study plan is structured into two core and two specialist courses. The core studies look at fundamental areas of e-learning of general interest and represent four credits each. The specialist courses are designed to encourage practical application of the concepts in situations described in case studies. The total number of credits for the course is 20 ECTS, which represent 500 hours of work for the students. The idea behind this programme is for students to share their knowledge and contribute their experiences, alongside a theoretical base that aids better understanding of the practical aspects. The platform used is the UOC's Virtual Campus, which offers access to all the information and allows for individual or group study. A continuous assessment system is employed throughout the process, with a summary activity at the end. Students passing the various continuous assessment activities receive the European Certificate in E-Learning Course Design and Teaching qualification. Albert Sangrà is the course director and, alongside Lourdes Guàrdia, the professor responsible for the courses. Both professors belong to the UOC's Psychology and Education Science Studies department. Professor Carme Rovira is the mentor who guides students through the process. Professionals and professors from a number of European universities take part as online tutors: Luca Botturi, from the University of Lugano (Switzerland); Donatella Costa, from the Polytechnic University of Milan (Italy); Ulf-Daniel Ehlers, from the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany); Ayse Kok, from the University of Oxford (UK), and Guzmán Mancho, from the University of Alcalá de Henares (Spain). The pilot test for the course began in April, offering 10 credits until July. The remaining 10 credits will be offered from September to January. Those interested can receive more information on the programme by sending an email to infofp@uoc.edu.
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