E-learning in Higher Education

Srce

13 December 2005

The work on the new Tempus Project EQIBELT: Education Quality Improvement by E-Learning Technology started last week, coordinated by the University Computer Centre � SRCE, at the University in Zagreb.

This three-year project aims to improve the quality of university education through aplication of e-learning methodology and technology; to prepare and adopt the legal and technological framework and standards for application of e-learning methods in Croatian Universities, through transfer and adaptation of knowledge and experience of the European universities.

Also, it intends to design and establish a sustainable and lasting system of support, as well as network of experts to promote and support e-learning programmes and promote successful application of e-learning methods and technology as a tool for improvements in university education.

The proposed budget for implementation of the project has been estimated at 526,500 �. The project consortium is made of three Croatian universities (Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Rijeka), the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, and CARNet (Croatian Academic and Research Network), as well as numerous European universities, institutions and experts.

Zoran Bekic, Director of University Computer Centre and coordinator of the Project, stressed the importance of e-learning methodology and technology for the improvement of quality of education and elaborated on the goals of the project, with special emphasis on the complete e-learning strategy which would be adapted to Croatian conditions.

"It is beyond any doubt that the new technologies, especially e-learning technologies introduce many new possibilities in the process of learning, provide for new quality and new forms of communication and cooperation between teachers and students. The main challenge remains the proper definition of the educational goals of the new technology and to identify those forms of application of technology that are best suited to the true needs of a given context and environment�, said Bekic.