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VCSE Guidebook/Creating regional (e-)learning networks/The VCSE regional (blended) learning approach: Difference between revisions
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VCSE Guidebook/Creating regional (e-)learning networks/The VCSE regional (blended) learning approach (view source)
Revision as of 19:26, 3 June 2009
, 19:26, 3 June 2009→6.7. The VCSE’s regional (blended) learning approach
(Created page with '==6.7. The VCSE’s regional (blended) learning approach== This chapter will now take a look at best practice examples from the VCSE partners about their ongoing and future mate...') |
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The process of creating the EnviWiki has also served as a networking activity among interested professionals. It ensures that research results are made publicly accessible very quickly. It has also been a way to encourage students’ contributions to knowledge generation. Non-university actors such as NGOs have contributed to the EnviWiki, giving a practical perspective on how to be active in sustainable development. If a common outcome from the cooperation of very diverse partners with different scopes of expertise, cultural backgrounds, etc., is required, Wiki provides excellent space for contributions and mutual dialogue. | The process of creating the EnviWiki has also served as a networking activity among interested professionals. It ensures that research results are made publicly accessible very quickly. It has also been a way to encourage students’ contributions to knowledge generation. Non-university actors such as NGOs have contributed to the EnviWiki, giving a practical perspective on how to be active in sustainable development. If a common outcome from the cooperation of very diverse partners with different scopes of expertise, cultural backgrounds, etc., is required, Wiki provides excellent space for contributions and mutual dialogue. | ||
The main challenge for the University of Macedonia (UOM) is on one hand to become a focal point for the promotion and dissemination of eco-management and environmentally-friendly practices (EMAS-certified university since 2005), and on the other to initiate from scratch local / regional structured sustainable development networks. | The main challenge for the '''University of Macedonia (UOM)''' is on one hand to become a focal point for the promotion and dissemination of eco-management and environmentally-friendly practices (EMAS-certified university since 2005), and on the other to initiate from scratch local / regional structured sustainable development networks. | ||
Following initial contact-making and official agreements with local/regional authorities, two parallel national Eco Forums were organized during the “Thessaloniki International Fair (HELEXPO)”: | Following initial contact-making and official agreements with local/regional authorities, two parallel national Eco Forums were organized during the “Thessaloniki International Fair (HELEXPO)”: | ||
* The Eco2 Forum (Business and Environment) included the participation of UOM in form of an e-learning seminar on sustainability issues addressed to local/regional actors and decision-makers, which may be adjusted and reproduced by any local/regional authority and societal actor upon demand. | * The Eco2 Forum (Business and Environment) included the participation of UOM in form of '''an e-learning seminar on sustainability issues''' addressed to local/regional actors and decision-makers, which may be adjusted and reproduced by any local/regional authority and societal actor upon demand. | ||
* The UOM is currently also exploring the possibility of initiating the design and setting up of a Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development in the Region of Central Macedonia, under the aegis of United Nations University (UNU). Preliminary discussions have already taken place, but a more concrete agreement is still to be reached among the involved local/regional bodies mainly concerning the financial viability of such an endeavour. | * The UOM is currently also exploring the possibility of initiating the design and setting up of a Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development in the Region of Central Macedonia, under the aegis of United Nations University (UNU). Preliminary discussions have already taken place, but a more concrete agreement is still to be reached among the involved local/regional bodies mainly concerning the financial viability of such an endeavour. | ||
At the Open University Netherlands (OUNL), the first strategy was to operate through the Regional Centre of Expertise on Learning for Sustainable Development (RCE) Rhine-Meuse, of which OUNL is one of the founders. However, it turned out that the current learning needs within the RCE network of local and regional actors were not at an academic level. | At the '''Open University Netherlands (OUNL)''', the first strategy was to operate through the Regional Centre of Expertise on Learning for Sustainable Development (RCE) Rhine-Meuse, of which OUNL is one of the founders. However, it turned out that the current learning needs within the RCE network of local and regional actors were not at an academic level. | ||
* Energy Academy: The OUNL is one of the founding partners of the Energy Academy, which originated due to a cooperation with the Province of Limburg and the city of Heerlen, choosing ‘new (sustainable) energy’ as the leading theme for their economic development plans. The Energy Academy’s first product is a (government sponsored) Business Course in Sustainable Energy. The main aim of the course is to educate professionals “who will be able to face the challenges of climate change and energy conservation, industry participation in the emission trading scheme and including pollution emission in a whole production process”. From an organizational point of view, having an e-learning module in the course is considered an advantage, as the participants can start with this module any time of the year and can easily combine it with their jobs, so they do not have to wait until the face-to-face lectured modules start (running from September to December on Fridays and Saturdays). | * '''Energy Academy:''' The OUNL is one of the founding partners of the Energy Academy, which originated due to a cooperation with the Province of Limburg and the city of Heerlen, choosing ‘new (sustainable) energy’ as the leading theme for their economic development plans. The Energy Academy’s first product is a (government sponsored) Business Course in Sustainable Energy. The main aim of the course is to educate professionals “who will be able to face the challenges of climate change and energy conservation, industry participation in the emission trading scheme and including pollution emission in a whole production process”. From an organizational point of view, having an e-learning module in the course is considered an advantage, as the participants can start with this module any time of the year and can easily combine it with their jobs, so they do not have to wait until the face-to-face lectured modules start (running from September to December on Fridays and Saturdays). | ||