European Virtual Seminar

on sustainable development

The aim of the EVS (European Virtual Seminar on Sustainable Development) is to promote an international and multidisciplinary dialogue on sustainable development issues between students from all over Europe by using modern ICT.

In this seminar students are directly confronted with different views and opinions on sustainable development issues. Views and opinions that are highly related to different social, cultural, political, economic and environmental backgrounds students are living in.

Whats the EVS about?

collaborative learning

place and time independent learning

using modern information and communication technology

promoting an international and multidisciplinary dialogue on sustainable development issues in Europe

co-operation between institutions for higher education

Short history2000 small project funding by the EU: coordinated by the Open Universiteit Nederland & COPERNICUS-CAMPUS

2001 pilot: 6 institutions, 50 students, 6 groups, 3 cases

2002 1st run: 12 institutions, 45 students, 9 groups, 4 cases2003 2nd run: 15 institutions, 70 students, 11 groups, 5 cases2004 3rd run: 20 institutionsstudents, ...groups, ...cases

EVS partners 2004-2005

Didactic concept

pedagogycollaborative learning via internet

international and multidisciplinary compound groups

two phases in EVS course: individual: electronic learning environment and team buildinggroup: research proposal, research, group report, policy summary

assessment and marking:group products (report and policy summary) by the expertgroup process (cooperation group members) by the tutor

contentoverall theme: Sustainable Development in Europecase studiesEuropean Union and the agricultural policy. Case: PolandEuropean spatial planning and policy. Case: the regions with the Mediterranean forest DehesaIntegrated water management. Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive. Case: DanubeNature and biodiversity conservation. Case: Rumanian forestsThe Lisbon Strategy. Case: Making Europe the most competitive (+ sustainable?) region of the worldLakes in SwedenSustainable enterprises

communitystudent groups: international & multidisciplinary (4-6 members)

tutors: coaching and assessing group process

experts: assessing group products

institutional coordinators: project management & formal issues

electronic learning environmentweb based course materials

communication and interaction between students (and staff) facilitated by modern ICT

communication tools: group areas (open and secured) electronic discussion boards chat facilities e-mail facilities

Students participationTo participate in the EVS students should:

be interested in sustainable development issuesbe interested in group workbe able to read and write Englishhave access to a computer and internet connectionhave an open mind to E-learning

EVSrun 2004-2005

start 20 Octoberend 17 Januarystudyload 100-120 hours (8-10 hours a week)20 institutions in 13 European countriesa lot of different disciplines3 physical meetings at your institution (today, middle, end)focus on virtual cooperation with students from all over Europe in small groups (4-6 group members)assistence by coordinators, tutors, expertspublication in the COPERNICUS Open Science Resource on Sustainable Development

EVS screen dumps: webportal

main menu

content area (case study Danube)

communication area: a group discussion board

group products - report

More information?EVS: http://blackboard.ou.nl/evs