accelerating the introduction of e-learning services in upatras the challenges of integration with...
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Accelerating the introduction of e-learning services in Upatras
The challenges of integration with telematic infrastructure
Dr Victoria Daskalou ([email protected])
Network Operations CenterUniversity of Patras
URL:http://www.upnet.gr
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 2
Structure of presentation
The academic background that affects the e-learning initiative in Upatras
The approach for introducing e-learning services
The e-learning pilot of Upatras: integrating e-learning with existing telematic services
The future
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 3
The academic organization
5 Schools with 22 departments School of Natural Sciences (6 depts) School of Engineering (7 depts) School of Health Sciences (2 depts) School of Humanities & Social Sciences (5 depts) School of Economics & Administration (2 depts)
21 Undergraduate Programs with ~17000 active students
25 Postgraduate Programs with ~2500 active students
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 4
The academic community
Faculty (~1000 members) The majority moderate users of Internet techs Variations in IT experience: experienced users in
applied sciences versus poor users in theoretical directions
The vast majority uses traditional teaching methods A very small number uses web technologies to support
learning Doubtful about the use of on-line teaching methods:
pedagogy, human interaction, no specific cost reductions, etc.
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 5
The academic community (cont.)
Students (~20000) The majority experienced Internet users Easy-adopters of new technologies (e-mail,
dial-up, WWW, chat) Fast learners of new communication methods
(especially for entertainment) Demanding users with fast-growing
requirements
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 6
The infrastructure
Distributed administration of student registration procedures
Registration per department Autonomous IT infrastructure for registration services
per department Library & Information Services (LIS)
Central library services for all users Network Services (UPnet)
E-mail and dial-up for all users Central Directory services using LDAP
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 7
E-learning initiatives
Earlier programs for the development of Web-based course material (ODL, etc.)
Telephaessa: LIS program with special actions for VLEs
PATREASnet: UPnet program for synchronous and asynchronous tele-education activities
Departmental programs for the modernization of the program of studies
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 8
The introduction of e-learning services
The key points of introduction strategy Identify user requirements in situ: Run a pilot Follow a modular and phased implementation
with a low cost of entry Integrate with existing infrastructure
Take advantage of: Existing administration procedures Existing user database
Inform the users Take advantage of lessons learned for further
deployment
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 9
The pilot: http://eclass.upatras.gr
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 10
The pilot architecture
e-class
Course Mgmt SystemDirectory Server
LDAP
OpenLDAP
StreamingMedia Server
MS Windows Media Services
User & administration mgmt
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 11
The e-learning platform
GUnet eclass Based on the open-source claroline system Asynchronous e-learning services
Repository of electronic course material Announcements Forums Simple multiple-choice exercises Repository of student homework
Use of Greek language (localization) Simplicity in use by tutors and students
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 12
Integration with telematic infrastructure
Unified user management based on Directory Services (LDAP)
Common user base with existing services => ~17,000 students became users of e-class
Common administration procedures Single sign-on
Common user credentials with existing services Video-on-demand
Link with media server for delivering course material of audio & video on-demand
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 13
Very-early results
In fifteen days of pilot use: 9 faculty members from 4 departments made
an application and use e-class 10 courses have been created ~70 students use e-class
The system is mainly used as educational material repository
Not use of collaborative or dynamic features (forums, announcements)
11/4/2003 LIS Workshop 14
The future
Extend services based on lessons learned Provide personalized services, e.g. use learner-
centered approaches Provide new features:
Search, syllabus, etc. Synchronous learning
Follow standards Support Reusable Learning Objects (ROLs) Choose platforms (open-source/commercial) Integrate, migrate and deploy Train and support users