2004 Oldenburg
Supporting the Learner in Distance Education and E-Learning
Europe's leading network for advancing digital education
Supporting the Learner in Distance Education and E-Learning
Researching and Promoting Access to Education and Training - The Role of Distance Education and e-Learning in Technology-Enhanced Environments
Research Into Online Distance Education and E-learning - Making the Difference
User Generated Content Assessment in Learning: Enhancing Transparency and Quality of Peer Production - Emerging Educational Technologies and Digital Assessment Methods
Experience and understanding of the knowledge society is taking ever greater root in Europe. Globalisation, technology development, and changes in the economic and social environment are modifying the ways in which the knowledge society is developing. The accelerating development of information and communication technologies, especially with their integration in so many different fields of life, is creating way forward to new solutions.
The rush is on: the rapid evolution and widespread penetration of new media and technologies, emerging new tools and solutions constantly change and challenge the ways and means of accessing and sharing knowledge.
The volume of information we get is enormous and there is a revolutionary change in the ways we use media. New social media culture is extending human capacity, reshaping identity and community. The awareness of the many forms of digital media is increasing and of the skills that allow better intellectual and emotional understanding.
Europe's growth potential needs to be enhanced for sure. Europe needs a strategic approach to boost its capacity for creativity, whilst establishing an environment where knowledge is successfully converted into innovative products and services. For a flexible, competitive and open economy, independent innovation as the main driver of development has been fully acknowledged.
Much learning occurs beyond traditional lecture halls and formal credit programmes.This strand addresses different aspects of integrating multiple forms of learning opportunities into daily life and in the workplace.
Distance education methods are often embedded in the developing new structures of education. Ways of working in different education systems seem to merge. Do we also need a merge between education systems and the breaking of barriers between educational sectors and institutions?
Recent waves of economic crisis and uncertainty have re-aligned a range of European and global issues. This sense of crisis and challenge however may also serve to energize system transformations, identify alternatives, suggest new directions and act as a driving motivating force when old modes are broken.