Finding the Right Mix? Teaching European Studies through Blended Learning Alexandra Mihai Institute...

Finding the Right Mix?

Teaching European Studies through Blended Learning

Alexandra MihaiInstitute for European Studies (IES)Vrije Universtiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium

The European Union…

…a labyrinth?

Complex

Multidisciplinary

A rapidly moving target

Target groups

Need for…

… a flexible pedagogical approach

But…

How flexible?

A maze of information out there

But…

… is all this educationor

just information?

Our approach

Three combined/complementary methods

• E-learning: the E-modules• Face-to-face seminars• Webinars: online seminars via Elluminate

vOffice™

E-modules

• an online learning tool offering a structured and interactive way of learning about the history of the European Union, its structure, policy areas and decision-making processes

• combines a knowledge/theoretical component with a practical component (i.e. case studies, real-life scenarios, EU case law)

• User-friendly interface- learners are in control

• Tools for self-assessment and evaluation

Face-to-face teaching

• Three days intensive seminars in Brussels conducted by academics and practitioners

• provide an advanced understanding of the EU institutions and the decision-making process

• Balance of theory and practice• Reduced group size aimed to create a

“learning community” and facilitate interaction

Webinars

• Synchronous online interaction tool• Used for various pedagogical

purposes:• “virtual office hours”• Ice-breaking & feedback sessions• Short online seminars • Longer online conferences

• Using Elluminate vOffice™ • Complements the E-modules and the

face-to-face seminars

Why mix?

Organise content around the learners: be where they are!

Facilitate access to knowledge and expertise

Blended learning…

= more than the sum of its parts

Finding the right mix

The European Studies blended learning continuum

Challenges?

• Self-paced vs. interaction/building a ”learning community”

• Managing complexity at various levels (content, technical & student management)

• Need for specific skills for the educators to operate in a virtual environment (“train the trainer”)

Thank you for your attention!

Alexandra.Mihai@vub.ac.bewww.emodules.be