Marge Kõrvits, Tallinn University of Educational Sciences, Estonia
On August 4th and 5th, 1997 in Tallinn University of Educational Sciences and in Tartu University took place the international seminar >"Estonian Possibilities to Integrate into the European Distance Education Network".
The seminar was opened by Professor Mait Arvisto, Rector of the Tallinn University of Educational Sciences who said that distance education is very important in the strategy of the university to give lifelong learning opportunities to the modern adults.
Mr Hilding Sponberg from Gjovik College, Norway introduced possibilities of CU-SeeMe technology in the Internet and it was given via videoconferencing.
Next was audioconference with Mr David Hardy, Chief Executive of The Open Learning Foundation (OLF) in United Kingdom who compared his organisation with wide-known Open University. He focused on the benefits of collaboration on national and international level. The role of OLF is to develop study materials at degree level, to implement the study packets and to be active in teaching and learning strategy. Mr Leslie Mapp, Director of Programmes from the same organisation talked about distance learning technology and the link with institutional teaching and learning strategies. He pointed out four important ideas:
After that followed second audioconference with Professor Elizabeth Burge from New Brunswick University, Canada who told about Flexible Learning and Technology.
Main guest in this seminar was Mr Piet Henderikx, Secretary General of European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) and his presentation was about International Networking of Universities and Use of Distance Education. He stressed the importance of international networking and cooperation in research and education between universities. Universities need different levels for the development of the system : instructional design, delivery, tutoring, assessment, telematic and management.
Mr Jouni Immonen from University of Helsinki Lahti Research and Training Centre introduced Distance Education Strategy and Network in Finland and stressed on alternate strategies for ODL markets.
After lunch there was time for the panel discussion: Are Academic Institutions Ready for Distance Education in Estonia? Vice Rector of University of Tartu Professor Teet Seene, Leader of the Phare Estonian National Distance Education Contact Point Professor Raivo Vilu, Executive Director of Estonian Council for Research and Development Mr Tiit Laasberg and Vice Rector of Tallinn University of Educational Sciences Professor Peeter Normak took part in the discussion.
Teet Seene pointed out four most important problems what they are facing in the University of Tartu (but these are quite general for Estonia):
Raivo Vilu stressed that the problems of the development of DE cannot be considered separately from the problems of the development of the educational system in Estonia. He talked about the current situation:
Raivo Vilu also pointed out that the Ministery of Education must act as a platform for co-operation and help universities and the other educational institutions in the development of their business plan.
Peeter Normak declared that Tallinn University of Educational Sciences has worked out its strategy for DE. He also gave overview about the themes to think upon:
Tiit Laasberg informed that two study centres have been established in Estonia during PHARE Pilot Project for Multy-Country Co-operation in DE: one in Tartu and one in Tallinn as concortia between Tallinn Technical University, Tallinn University of Educational Sciences and Estonian Business School. Tiit Laasberg was glad that 25 proposals were sent from Estonia to the development of 40 DE course modules.
Second day of the seminar was held in University of Tartu and was subtitled as DE Creates New Opportunities in Education and was lead by the Head of the Continuing Education Centre Mr Mati Salundi. The discussion focused on the problems concerning degree education, continuing education and training the trainers. The representatives of four Estonian universities described their experience in the field of DE in their universities: Janno Reiljan, Vahur Ööpik, Maire Poom from University of Tartu, Larissa Jõgi, Sirje Virkus, Rein Ruubel and Marge Kõrvits from Tallinn University of Educational Sciences, Raivo Vilu, Jaanus Kiili, Vello Randla from Tallinn Technical University, Merle Rihma from Estonian Business School.
The only expert from outside of Estonia was Secretary General of EADTU Piet Henderikx who was happy to see such high level discussion and mentioned that these problems were not original for only Estonia. In his speech he pointed out three levels: institutional, national and international. He stressed that every university must declare its mission statement: how much on-campus or off-campus studies, full-time or part-time, degree or continuing education. University needs framework both on de-central and central level. The first means taht the responsibility for the content of the curriculas lies on the faculties the latter includes telematic investments, support structure, educational development structure and the budget for development.
Many thanks to the organizers of the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Sirje Virkus, Department of Information Studies, who was responsible for the negotiations with foreign experts and Assoc. Prof. Larissa Jõgi, Chair of Andragogy, who was responsible for the negotiations with Estonian specialists. The seminar was important also for drawing conclusions about the pilot year of the Phare Multi-Country Programme in DE.
Last updated August 17, 1997
sirvir@tpu.ee