RIGA-conference Summary ”Problems and possibilities for develoment of ODL in the BOLDIC Understanding within national and European contexts” Ingeborg Bø Norwegian Association for Distance Education

Jørgen Bang: The BOLDIC pedagogical tradition Roots and future perspectives 1993 Feasibility study – dialogue, dual mode National reports Student centered Communication Group- or teamwork Active participation Blended learning Not unique for our region, but a common vision

Audrone: Learning while sharing experience in the BOLDIC Network Methodological principles and practical implementation Exchange experience Create new knowledge Market network Knowledge network Semantic network Collaborative action network

4 Levels of exchange Boldic activities 1.Product linkages Information system courses 2.Knowledge linkages BOLDIC brochure, award 3.Shared meaning linkages Virtual conference 4.Partnership linkages common projects Multidiciplinary studies Different networks More functional Handbook

Sirje Virkus: Status of ODL in the Baltic and Nordic countries E-readieness Long tradition - private and public Policy varies Financial support – government support varies Quality assurance- no specific QAS except Norway General issues: Resources Legislation Motivation Cooperation Awareness Quality

Audrone: The quality assurance systems in the area of ODL in Baltic and Nordic countries No special systems for ODL except Norway Quality systems in general for universities and university colleges Much informal evaluation

Jørgen Bang: Pedagogical quality of ODL systems:Criteria for assessment EUA: Mutual trust among the main stakeholders Respect Transparency OECD 2001:”The partnership challenge” Pedagogical focus VET-report 2004 (Maastrich): the whole learning activity, Dialogue Collaborative learning

The BOLDIC Award: Criteria: Be transferable to the whole BOLDIC region Be learner driven Facilitate flexible/blended learning Be innovative Be scalable Have a sustainable stragegy Have a sensible and approporiate strategy Involve continuing evalutation

Denmark: Digital jobclub Latvia: Business Administration College Norway: Management course Sweden: Nettverksgymnaset Finland: eTutor Puzzle Estonia: Eesti-e-university Lithuania: Development of communities and NGOs The winner: SWEDEN !!!Congratulations!!!!!

Problems:  Lack of money  Lack of policy momentum on ODL  Too much project-focused  Lack of sustainability  Lack of transfer of knowledge  Lack of cooperation  Lack of competence within institutions

Possibilities: A BOLDIC network of professionals with a shared vision of BOLDIC pegagogy Knowledge network Quality awareness Collaborative learning in practise

National context establishment of associations influence national policy quality awareness professional community Self (BOLDIC) confidence European context involvement in networks influence policy (e-learning and lifelong learning) involvement in projects Nordic Council of Ministers (Nordplus voksen)