Teaching European Studies Online: the Challenge of Quality Assurance
Alexandra Mihai
[alexandra.mihai@vub.ac.be], Institute for European Studies,
Free University of Brussels [http://www.ies.be], Pleinlaan 15, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
English Abstract
This paper will be looking into the issue of quality assurance in online learning from the perspective of the e-learning tool developed by the Institute for European Studies in Brussels- the E-modules. The E-modules have been designed with the purpose of offering a structured and interactive way of learning how the European Union functions. As European law and policies exert an important influence in the everyday life of European citizens, the E-modules aim at providing the essential information, helping, at the same time, the users to find their way through the complexity of existing information sources. Therefore, assuring the quality of the content is an essential feature for the developers of the E-modules and, at the same time, a great challenge, taking into account, on the one hand, the complexity of social science and, on the other hand, the quick pace with witch the European Union evolves.
Romanian Abstract
Acest articol analizeaza diversele aspecte ale procesului de asigurare a calitatii in invatamantul online, luand ca studiu de caz platforma de studiu "E-modules", creata de Institutul de Studii Europene al Universitatii Libere din Bruxelles. "E-modules" au fost proiectate cu scopul de a oferi un mod bine structurat si interactiv de a invata cum functioneaza Uniunea Europeana. Deoarece legislatia UE si diversele politici europene exercita o influenta din ce in ce mai mare in viata de zi cu zi a cetatenilor europeni, "E-modules" vizeaza furnizarea informatiilor esentiale, ajutand, in acelasi timp, utilizatorii să isi gaseasca drumul prin labirintul surselor de informatii existente. Prin urmare, asigurarea calitatii continutului este un aspect esential pentru echipa care se ocupa de proiectarea "E-modules" si, in acelasi timp, si o mare provocare, tinand cont, pe de-o parte, de complexitatea stiintelor sociale si, pe de alta parte, de ritmul alert cu care Uniunea Europeana evolueaza.
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