evaluation

Training sessions for research project evaluation in Amman, Jordan

ATiT is providing training sessions for SRTD, the Support to Research and Technological Development and Innovation Initiatives and Strategies in Jordan. SRTD is a programme of the European Union to enhance the capacity in research, together with the Jordan Higher Council for Science and Technology. The programme consists of Part 1: An Introduction to Proposal Evaluation, and Part 2: An Overview of Evaluator Capacities and Skills, with a special focus on the European Commission 7th Framework Programme. More than 40 researchers from industry, academia as well as from support organisations attended the 4 days of workshops and instruction at the Amman International Hotel in Amman, Jordan, from 13 till 16 December 2009.

International Conference: Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Communities

Mathy Vanbuel described his experience in the provision of educational services to remote schools in Europe in a keynote presentation given on 15th May during an International Conference held in Athens. This conference called "Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Communities; Practical Solutions and Policies'' brought together project leaders of several pioneering projects many of which are using the latest developments in satellite technology to provide solutions for remote and rural school communities in Europe and elsewhere. Organised in the Ellinogermaniki School in Pallini, this event brought together policy makers, academics and field practitioners from Europe and beyond who share an interest in promoting the use of ICT by rural citizens of all ages. See the Conference web site for more information.

A Visit to a Rural Wings Pilot Site in Greece

The RURAL WINGS project offers e-learning services to users at school, at work or at home in regions in Europe that are difficult to connect by means other than by two-way satellite technology.

A network of over 120 DVB/RCS satellite terminals has been deployed all over Europe. The pilot sites are located in really isolated and remote villages in rural areas and geographical locations such as mountainous regions or islands where broadband Internet access (by means of ADSL or Cable) has never been possible before.

13 European Countries (Greece, Spain, Sweden, France, Romania, Cyprus, Estonia, Poland, UK, Israel, Armenia, Georgia, and Switzerland) participate in this EC funded project that promotes the use of satellite telecom technology for the bridging of the digital divide. Furthermore over 25 locations will be equipped with WiFi networks to provide access to even more remote users in these villages and locations.

Thanks to the RURAL WINGS project, eLearning services are provided amongst other services to people who otherwise would be left out and isolated.

On 12 to 15 March 2008, ATiT visited sites in rural Greece, more precisely in the village of Valtetsiniko, and spoke with the Mayors of Valtetsiniko and Mesta, both small towns that are enthusiastic users of this promising technology.

ATiT joins the Re.ViCA Project

Together with partners from 7 different European countries ATiT launches the Re.ViCA Lifelong Learning Project that will look at virtual campus experiences across Europe. This project, chaired by Europace, will conclude in September 2009 with the publication of the Virtual Campus Manual aimed at regional, national and European political decision makers, advisors, government and administration, education authorities, e-learning industry, research community and Virtual Campus management.

Fe-ConE Conference Vilnius

Mathy Vanbuel was invited to participate in the Fe-ConE (Framework for eLearning Contents Evaluation)  conference in Vilnius (Latvia) on October 10th 2007. During the meeting Ms. Claire Belise, Mr. Graham Attwell and Dr. Minna Lakkala presented their views on intercultural issues in e-learning and e-content. Read their position papers on the eLearning Europe Portal.

Using Satellites for Connecting Higher Education Institutions in UK

ATiT has now concluded its evaluation report on how satellites can be used to connect Higher and Further Education Institutions and individuals. Some areas in England, Scotland and Wales are at present underserved by traditional telecommunication means. From Mid 2002 until May 2004, 17 institutions and individuals based in these remote areas used two-way satellite terminals to connect to the Internet, and to the Janet and Campus networks. This evaluation report highlights the importance of the right match between user requirements and the offered service. Read the full report...

e-Quality meeting in Barcelona

From 28 to 30 June Anneleen Cosemans attented the first e-Quality project meeting in Barcelona. e-Quality aims to create a common reference framework for ODL staff in European Higher Education to assess quality of the courses they develop and implement. ATiT is external evaluator of the Minerva project that will run until October 2006.

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Final EuroClass meeting in Finland

From 27th until 29th May Sally Reynolds and Anneleen Cosemans attended the final EuroClass meeting held in Tuusula, a little town 30 minutes from Helsinki.

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