Organisational and legal status of the Study Centre Vilnius University is a host institution Vilnius Distance Education Study Centre (VDESC). VDESC was established by the Rector’s decree No P-59 on January Real work of VDESC started from the end of July 1998, when centre was separated from Continues education study centre.

Organisational and legal status of the Study Centre Rector, Vice - Rector and the Senate of Vilnius University has the legal responsibility for the Centre and holds the ultimate legal and financial authority. Director of VDESC Centre accomplishes the strategy of the integration of DE SC into the learning process of Vilnius University. Director of DE: Represents the Centre, is responsible for its activity. Develops the Statute of the Centre and eranges the co- operation between VU and Lithuanian Distance Education Centre

Organisational and legal status of the Study Centre Staff of Vilnius DE SC: 1.Director of Vilnius DE Study Centre 2.System managers (3 programmers and 2 engineers) 3.Administrator

The main aim of the Centre is to improve the quality of distance education services In order to accomplish the aim the Centre:  Extends the study programmes and courses using new DE methodology and applying information and telecommunication technologies.  Develops DE courses, learning materials and training programmes using advanced technologies. 

The main aim of the Centre is to improve the quality of distance education services Supports writing, adaptation and improvement of DE courses and programmes.  Provides of learning materials and literature for DE students and teachers.  Collects and disseminates information about events, projects and methods of distance education.  Co-operation with other DE Centres in Phare and EU countries.  Develops and maintains WWW Home Page.

Development of DE and training programmes: VDESC on WebCT server have 65 courses. In co-operation with Finland and Baltic countries where running 3 DE programmes. Together with Turku (Finland), Tartu (Estonia) and Latvijas Universities where developed DE courses „Human geography“, “Regional development” and „Cultural history“ of Baltics sea area using Web CT and audio conferences. With help of Lithuanian Open Sciety (Soros) foundation and British Council where developed 5 courses. Their evaluation was done by UK specialists.

Development of DE and training programmes: Lithuanian Science and Study department organized competition to prepare DE courses for universities. Vilnius university prepared 5 courses. Now there are 4 new courses in stage of preparation. Department of librarianship together with partners prepared 3 courses for internet and internet publishing (EU Leonardo da Vinchi programme. Project "DELCIS: Distance Education for Librarians: Creating and Information-Competent Society“).

Development of DE and training programmes: Vilnius Distance Education Study Centre (VDESC) together with Information technologies institute are owners of large course ECDL (7 modules). Together with Swedish armed forces National NBC- defence school and US navy Civil engineer corps officers school VDESC prepared and delivered Environmental course for the military service of Baltic countries. With other institutions where developed more than 10 courses.

Premises of the Study Centre, Hardware and Software Premises ( 3 rooms - about 300 sq.m) are allocatted for Vilnius DE SC by Vilnius University. Its:  office and library (2 rooms),  computer classrooms (2 rooms), multimedia laboratory, videoconferencing hall.

Premises of the Study Centre, Hardware and Software Technical equipment was obtained from the Phare DE project, Turku University (Finland), Lithuanian project “DE network” and VU resources. Now we have than 4 servers and 40 computers. Main center’s software is WebCT. It’s used from July 2000.

Future directions New Master degree DE study programmes: Business administration, Marketing, E- learning (inter-university programme); New inter-faculty DE courses for all students (Computer literacy, foreign languages); New cooperation forms with Lithuanian and foreign universities.

Teleworking for e-learning in virtual learning environments Teleworking in DE consists from: Development of programmes and courses, Delivery of courses, Update and improvement of courses.

Teleworking for e-learning in virtual learning environments Development of programmes and courses: a) analysis of target groups, b) subject mater expertise, c) measurable objectives writing, d) pyramid analysis, e) detailed design of course and questions, f) writing, page design and entry to VLE

Teleworking for e-learning in virtual learning environments Development of programmes and courses: g) testing and improvement, h) implementation, i) evaluation.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen's, for your kind attention.

1999