UNIVe project — Creating a network-based e-university model for small countries in the context of e-learning in Europe
Estonia , 2003 to 2005
Compendium: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Background
In order to provide an e-university model that would be relevant for different European countries, the e-learning know-how of the previous successful international projects was integrated and analysed. The main activities are the analysis of previous EC-supported international and national initiatives in the field, designing activities of the small-state e-university model and launching a series of integrated pilot projects. The main output is the small-state e-university model. The model will be described in a compendium and on a CD/DVD ROM. The strengthened European network of the main players in the e-learning field can be considered as a more general output of UNIVe.
The motivation of the initiative
To develop and expand the activities of the e-University consortium and ensure the sustainability of e-learning in Estonia
Participants
Eight universities: University of Stirling, University of Joensuu, University of Art and Design Helsinki, Mid Sweden University, University of Tartu, Tallinn University (former Tallinn Pedagogical University), Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Business School. Two Associations:
Estonian Information Technology Foundation, European Association of Distance Teaching Universities.
Estonian Information Technology Foundation, European Association of Distance Teaching Universities.
Aims and targets
Objectives of the initiative
- To promote and provide access to improved methods and educational resources as well as results and best practices of online education.
- To create new quality in European e-education among universities through integration of available e-learning know-how of previous relevant EU projects.
- To create an e-university model for small countries with limited resources and ICT/ODL experience.
Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and/or pedagogical)
Experts from 6 key learning areas, authors of innovative and well-functioning e-university applications, contribute with their e-university models for adaptation, testing and validation in creating the new e-learning model.
Target group
Students, teachers, adult learners and educational institutions.
Strategy and actions
Level of implementation
National.
Implementation
The small-state e-university model which was the main outcome of the project was successfully implemented in Estonia
Monitoring and evaluation
Funding/Cost effectiveness
Budget
€530 000.
Sustainability/Transferability
Outcomes/impacts
Achievements
Specific results
A total of 2 200 e-courses have been created for higher and vocational education with more than 25 000 students for both consortia. More than 2 500 teachers and lecturers from vocational and higher education have participated in the staff training programme. Hundreds of people participate in the annual e-learning conferences and seminars. More than 10 thematic networks concentrating on a certain subject area and involving teachers from different institutions are actively operating.
Success factors
Lessons learnt
The UNIVe project and the resulting developments with the consortia confirmed that e-learning and the use of ICT in the learning process give great benefits in cost reduction and synergy effects when deployed via good coordination.
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