VCSE Guidebook/How to promote the VCSE-model/Conclusions and discussion: Difference between revisions

''On-site workshops versus other dissemination channels''

This chapter on dissemination of the VCSE-model focuses on the on-site workshops, as being the more innovative of the various dissemination channels used. Many activities were employed however using the other four channels as well (see '''Annex 2'''). It is likely that these channels contributed more effectively to the accomplishment of the first objective (informing about virtual mobility and raising awareness of the benefits of the virtual campus model) as many more people can be reached with these means than with on-site activities. In particular, the combination of mailing an electronic newsletter throughout our networks and connecting this E-newsletter to the VCSE website appeared to be an effective means (see Chapter 4). In view of effective dissemination, the website should then contain clear and prominent information on the actual VCSE activities in virtual mobility, the benefits of the VCSE approach, and the courses currently available.  

''Enhancing the effectiveness of on-site workshops''

The on-site workshops can probably be made more effective by focussing on more specific objectives and specific target groups with specific needs; In other words, by making the on-site workshops more tailor-made. In the context of enlarging the basis of support for a virtual campus initiative like the VCSE, a specific objective could be to address the administrative hurdles at the visited university. The target group would then be the senior-level decision-makers and other staff that involved in the administrative issues at stake. Another specific objective, in the context of raising interest to become involved in the VCSE, could be to address the educational and technical competencies required for active participation in the VCSE. In that case, the target group would be university teachers and perhaps also technical support staff. To make sure that the workshop meets the local needs effectively, these should be clearly identified in advance. Tailoring the workshops also requires careful consideration of the benefits of the virtual campus that should best be emphasized for the specific target groups. Senior-level management, for example, is particularly sensitive to the issues of costs, returns and risks, given the history of high-cost failures of virtual learning initiatives in higher education. To them the benefits of cost-effective improvement of course offer and the minimization of financial risks with to the bottom-up ‘quid-pro-quo’ model could be stressed. Educational staff might be particularly interested in benefits associated with    ‘virtual mobility for staff’: collaboration and joint learning with colleagues from other European universities on tested and novel approaches to e-learning.