1. e-Learning Our view and experience
Tilen Balon
Head of Distance Learning Office Faculty of Economics
University of Ljubljana
Slovenia

2. Distance education in 90’s
Opportunities for development and possibilities:
E-learning
communication and other technologies
compute support
internet access
Distance learning
development of literature for independent-studying
tutorial system
study centers across country (meetings, exams etc)

3. Development of Distance learning
1991 – searching for best practice case
Distance learning as PHARE program
- Foundation of National Project Unite for distance education
implementation of distance learning
1995 – first phase of PHARE project
1997 – second phase of PHARE project

4. Reasons for developing DL
New opportunities for school
Upgrading part time study programs
Modernization of study process
Education for wider population and underprivileged group of population (dislocated, handicapped, employed…)
Regional development

5. Distance learning – How we did it
Meetings with teacher
at the beginning of course
at the and of course (examination)
Tutorial meetings
weekly for groups
weekly for individuals
Individual studying
with help from study guide for literature and study groups in study centers

6. Who does what Tutor (trained professional) Teacher
guide through course, literature and other materials
cooperates with teacher
students motivator
Teacher
course manager
in charge for tutors work
prepares exams sets study goals for student to achieve learning outcomes

7. Course Literature
Development of study literature and other study materials for individual studying and for preparing the course study guide.
Classic book with course study guide
Integrated book or workbook
Course study guide on CD,
Audio and video materials

8. Study centers (across country)
Place where:
Students meet with teacher
Students meet with tutor
Students can study individual or in groups, write papers, reports etc.
Study centers provide study rooms for meetings, individual studying and group work. There are computer rooms (internet), Videoconference room with overhead projectors etc.

9. Distance learning today
New bologna program
9 study centers across country
70 teachers
105 courses (per study year)
120 tutors
1800 students
600 graduates from distance learning (first enrolment in 3 year program in study year 1995/96)

10. Distance learning for tomorrow
New improved technologies
Access to internet at home
Advanced teaching methods
Life long learning as one of bologna’s goal
Integration of E-learning in distance learning (as describe before)

11. E-learning The software (plus) Embedded in the university’s (minus)
Wide variety of product in the market
Easy to use with minimal training
user friendly
Reliable
Offers basic functionalities
Embedded in the university’s (minus)
technical infrastructure
administrative systems
organization of education
faculty development projects
financial aspect

12. Positive efects of e-learning
Flexibility for students
Access to resources for students
Effective mode of learning
Students can interact with tutors and teachers
Construct learning which lead to high motivation
Easier to monitor and support students
Assessment and activity continuous
Improves organization, management and administration and accountability
Benefits the students and faculty

13. Potential negative effect of e-learning
Can be blinded by technology
Simple and easy?
Technical problems and Access to internet
Isolation
Lack of support
Lack of other student interaction
Too few face to face meetings
Academic year VS flexibility

14. Blended learning
Aim is to implement and support (technically and educationally) a digital learning environment for students and faculty
Supported blended learning with:
Multi-media course materials
Tutor and regional support
Increasing use of online learning and teaching
All courses with IT component
Generic course web site production
Courses presented totally online
Computer conferencing
Some face to face activities (meetings) remain!

15. Why doesn’t e-learning happen in higher education?
low commitment by managers
lack of infrastructure within universities
weak organizational structure
low ability to invest (what are the actual benefits – can we cost them?)
lack of understanding of e-learning impact

16. Why doesn’t e-learning happen in higher education?
competing resources – staff time and rewards (research VS. teaching on line)
lack of skills in the area
lack of examples of appropriate models to improve campus- based learning
uncertainty among higher education decision makers

17. E-learning priorities for higher education
e-learning is what students expect today (tomorrow)
ageing universities workforce lack IT skills and fears technology
education leaders must drive e-learning forward
Government has a role in funding, ensuring standards and quality

18. Challenges Educational System management
Different educational needs (competence based education versus guided independent learning)
System management
How to to provide a unique personalised service and learning experience to each student and to be able to do this at scale.
How to provide the student with the right information, the right media mix and mode of presentation at the right time.
When do we have time to upgrade or adopt to new tehnologies and methodes developed every day.

19. Our biggest challenge
Can we provide vital support for the e-learning enviroment 24 / 7 / 365
for students from teacher and
for teachers from system administrators

20. E-learning: Goals and expectations
Benefits for the students (Professional e-learning environment during educational career)
Benefits for the teachers (Gather strength around e-learning)
Benefits for the school
Creating media rich online learning environments
Creating student centred environments
Adapting learning experiences based on assessment of student knowledge
Integration of assessment for learning best practice

21. Thank You for your attention.
Tilen Balon
Head of Distance Learning Office Faculty of Economics
University of Ljubljana
Slovenia