Course starts: Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Application deadline: Monday, 15 September 2008

The course is designed to prepare educators, lecturers and subject professionals to develop, manage, implement, support and moderate online learning and enable them to become active members of an online community for online tutors.

This course is offered jointly through cooperation between the Stord/Haugesund University College, Agder University College and the UNU/Global Virtual University.

The goal of the course is to provide participants with knowledge of and practical experience in logging into and using a virtual classroom, building online learning environments, supporting and guiding online students in their learning processes, and describing, discussing and selecting pedagogical approaches.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to have gained or improved their skills in: working with peers online in a ‘virtual classroom’ in a community of practice; analysing problems, negotiating meanings and finding solutions; participating in professional online networks; reflecting on learning processes; and, improving learning skills. They also should have developed or strengthened their attitudes towards E-learning as a recognized and valid supplement/alternative to on-campus studies as well as the importance of situated learning

Students who complete the course will receive10 ECTS at the Master's level. This corresponds to an estimated student workload of 240-300 hours, with approximately 20% or more of this time spent online.

The course is learner centred and collaborative, meaning that the participants can study from anywhere, and any time of the day, but must follow the time frames set by the study guide. The participants are expected to actively contribute to build a positive common learning environment.