Arbeitsräume im Internet für Schulen (ARIMIS)
Germany , 2005 to 2008
Compendium: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Background
ARIMIS is about integrating distance learning with LMS, and a web-based space and coordinated technical support has been offered to a group of schools. In the course of the project technical, didactical and pedagogical requirements for distance learning are being identified. Accordingly, existing technical solutions are being evaluated to see if they correspond to the intentions of the respective types of schools and classes. Teachers, administrators and heads of school departments are participating actively in the testing of learning management systems. Cooperation with professional publishers provides publishers and teachers with the opportunity for mutual exchange.
The motivation of the initiative
Some teachers working in vocational and secondary schools had already started to work with distance-learning modules and LMS and they voiced the need for exchanges with other teachers and for assistance in integrating distance learning courses within their LMSs (predominantly the open source system Moodle).
Participants
Teachers, administrators of web servers. Publishers of distance-learning resources and scholars of regional universities have been involved on a supportive basis.
Aims and targets
Objectives of the initiative
To implement and improve distance learning based on learning management systems in schools across Baden-Württemberg. To achieve the aim, technical, didactical and pedagogical requirements of distance learning need to be identified and tested.
The project identifies best practice to compile guidelines for teaching and learning, specifying technology and producing or using content for eLearning.Target group
Vocational and secondary school teachers.
Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and/or pedagogical)
The project team and the regional school network company provide technical support and a unique version of Moodle that has been modified according to the needs of the schools, with a special focus on data protection. Teachers of the same subject collaborate in workshops, coordinated and supported by the project team, to test web-based courses and modules within their respective LMS. Learning objects offered by publishers are customised in content packages for use and evaluation in classes.
Strategy and actions
Level of implementation
Regional: Baden-Württemberg.
Implementation
Coordinated as well as individual cooperation in the form of workshops, lectures, visitations and evaluation sustain collaboration with the project participants. The project can be modified to suit the teachers’ needs. Cooperation with regional institutions ensures compliance and sustainability.
Monitoring and evaluation
Funding/Cost effectiveness
Budget
1 850 000.
Sustainability/Transferability
Outcomes/impacts
Achievements
Specific results
More than 60 schools participate actively in the project and have developed around 50 online lessons so far. Technical infrastructure and knowledge management at schools have improved. The website www.elearning-bw.de made results available to the public.
Success factors
Lessons learnt
Teachers participating in the project have been willing to develop online lessons at their own expense. However, one of the most important lessons learned from the project is that teachers cannot possibly develop professional courses in addition to their regular classes. Adequate and sustainable eLearning in schools requires central coordination and facilitation of material. Distance-learning products should be customised to teachers’ needs, i.e. offer more products that can be combined flexibly and uploaded easily into different learning management systems such as Moodle. Moreover, schools need to be provided with the means to deploy licensed material. The school head should encourage this development and the teachers involved, and the teachers should structure lessons around a student-centred approach.
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