Koustourakis, G., Panagiotakopoulos, C., & Vergidis, D. (2008). A Contribution to the Hellenic Open University: Evaluation of the pedagogical practices and the use of ICT on distance education (original) (raw)

A Contribution to the Hellenic Open University: Evaluation of the pedagogical practices and the use of ICT on distance education

The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 2008

This study examines a) the methods used to structure the pedagogy necessary to underpin distance education delivery used by the Hellenic Open University (HOU); b) the adoption of pedagogical and epistemological conceptual systems HOU uses for the development of its pedagogical practices; and c) the role of information and communication technology (ICT), and the degree of ICTs incorporation into distance education delivery at HOU. This study shows that: a) in terms of providing rigorous course contents, strong framing exists between HOU’s various learning modules; b) in terms of pedagogical practices, there is a strong hierarchical relationship and framing between HOU’s academic staff and tutors, while conversely, framing is weaker between its tutors and students; c) in terms of ICT usage HOU, in general, uses technology for administration, while conversely, and depending on the program of study, it currently only has limited use for student learning.

The effectiveness of distance learning in the Greek educational system: An exploratory study

International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Studies, 2022

The aim of this work is to register the views of university students regarding the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning, a teaching method applied in a compulsory and universal way to all levels of education in Greece, but also all over the world, due to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. The students who participated in the exploratory study also expressed their views as to whether and to what extent online teaching can replace in-class teaching in the three levels of education. The reason why it was considered important to record the views of the students was that during one academic semester (February 2020-June 2020) they attended all their courses initially in person and subsequently over the Internet. This was thought to be of great importance because the comparison between traditional and online teaching was immediate and meaningful, as they attended both forms of teaching in succession.

DISTANCE EDUCATION "EMBRACES" CONVENTIONAL EDUCATION, INFLUENCING ITS PROCESSES

10. INTERNATIONAL PARIS CONGRESS ON SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES, 2024

This paper is part of a research project aimed at investigating and analysing the innovations, changes and influences initiated by the Hellenic Open University of Greece., which is the only one that exclusively offers education through the distance education model and has influenced the way and methodology of providing short or long study programs by higher education institutions. Due to the large offer of distance education programs (hereafter from D.E), there is a concern regarding the implementation practices of this education model by conventional higher education institutions in areas that make up the physiognomy and the pedagogy of the DE. The purpose, goals, and innovative elements of H.O.U. are presented initially. & the changes in offering quality curriculum provision. In addition, its influences in fourteen H.E.I of conventional education in relation to her physiognomy from DE. Finally, indicative groups of questions are recorded, which will be asked to the teaching staff of both the H.O.U and conventional higher education institutions in Greece to study the research results in depth. The research so far has been carried out at a bibliographic level, as well as a study of the information provided by the universities through their web pages. The interviews with the teaching staff are considered necessary so that the practical effect of distance education on conventional structures in the country becomes apparent.

HELLENIC OPEN UNIVERSITY: CHANGES THROUGH INTERACTION IN THE DISTANT EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

VII-INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, 2023

Interaction in distance education is significant, mainly because the learner participates actively in the learning process while the teacher has a facilitating role. Educational activities and Group Counselling Sessions (GCS) identify and define the interaction while promoting knowledge acquisition. They are one of the most critical elements of the educational material intended for distance education and are related to the philosophy of distance education. The paper is presented in the context of the program "Funding of Research in Hellenic Open University". It aims to investigate and analyse the innovations, modifications and influences that started from the H.O.U and impacted the way and methodology of offering short or long-term study programs by conventional higher education institutions. Also, the differences or problems from implementing six-month thematic units compared with the annual ones in postgraduate study programs offered by the university. During the first two semesters of the research, the study has been based on the bibliography in the areas related to teaching, learning, educational material, communication, the role of the teacher, and support structures. The findings so far highlight the significant effects and changes that distance education has had on the operation of traditional education structures and the curricula they offer. On the other hand, it is clear from the research that until now, there have been no data on the educational activities or Group Counselling Sessions (GCS) that would enlighten us on the functioning of the six-monthly themes in the framework of interaction. So, the bibliographic research will be accompanied by interviews with teaching staff about the impact of H.O.U on conventional education and the operation of the semester's themes related to annual ones. The results will be essential in improving the existing application of the characteristics of distance education's effectiveness, regardless of the educational structure.

Distance Learning in Higher Education and Perspectives in Greece

2000

Computers and networks have become the key points that provide an effective means for distance learning sessions. Distance learning in Greece gives the opportunity for a second chance for education for adults and for those who want to update their knowledge or learn new techniques and methods for their work. The aim of the study is to analyze the on

Distance Education in Greece and the Potential Challenges to it in the Post-lockdown Era

Merit Research Journal of Education and Review , 2023

The purpose of this paper is to briefly chart the current course of distance education in humanities and mathematical sciences in Greece in the post lockdown (due to the COVID examine whether distance education facilitated students in the aforementioned disciplines or not, the students’ views a distance education, and the effects of this type of teaching / learning paper, we describe distance education as an innovative way of teaching / learning, so we also posed questions regarding the potential changes in students’ fellow students. It should be noted that this paper is a continuation of the research paper on “ Distance Research November 2022.

The pedagogical relationship in Distance University courses through the eyes of teachers and students: a comparative approach

International Journal of Social Policy and Education, 2021

The covid-19 pandemic has led to a violent adjustment of university education to distance learning. This paper examines the impact of distance education on the pedagogical relationship between university teachers and students. Our sample includes both university teachers and students of Greek universities. The analysis of the data shows that the majority of both university teachers and students consider distance education necessary, although individual differences are apparent. It is also important to stand by a significant minority of both teachers and students who have a different opinion. Two concluding formulations stand out. First, that distance education is here to stay and that it enriches university teaching by making it more flexible. Second, that more research is needed on the effects of distance education on the pedagogical relationship between teacher and students.

Building an infrastructure for empowering Distance Education in the Open University of Cyprus

2016

Universities worldwide offer distance education courses through a number of channels. There is a plethora of courses offered either as part of official Programs of Study that lead to a degree or even as Vocational Training Programs or as MOOCS. The Open University of Cyprus (OUC) is the only higher education organization in Cyprus dedicated to distance education using an innovative eLearning Platform named eClass. The eClass eLearning Platform is the main educational medium of the Open University of Cyprus that hosts a number of services, courses, educational content and activities. The scope of this paper is to describe the eLearning Platform and the offered services that are integrated under its umbrella, like the Video Lecture and Streaming service, the Synchronous Learning service and the Plagiarism Detection service. Moreover, this paper presents an overview of how this platform is integrated to the University’s infrastructure for user creation and management, student enrolment...

EFFECTIVENESS OF DISTANCE LEARNING METHODS IN GREEK HIGHER EDUCATION

The Distance Learning Courses for Adults (DLCA), offered by the Greek Higher Educational Institutes (GHEI), have rapidly risen in the past few decades. The purpose of such courses is to offer flexible and quality studies to adult learners who seek for special skills and contemporary knowledge. Yet, the great challenge that the Institutes face is whether these new structures finally meet the students' needs. Thus the evaluation of the effectiveness of such technologically enhanced methods becomes a critical issue. This paper presents a theoretical model which evaluates the effectiveness of (DLCA) in Higher Education. The objectives of the present study are; a) To present the special characteristics of adult learners. b) To identify the factors which impact the effectiveness of on line courses for adults, according to the literature. c) To recommend possible ways for improving this method.

Changing the Gear: Adopting Inter-institutional Collaborative Course Development as the Policy for Distance Higher Education in Greece

The Online, Open and Flexible Higher Education Conference, 2016

The Hellenic Open University (HOU), the unique Greek State University that exclusively provides distance education in both undergraduate and postgraduate level, has started to adopt a strategic framework, which aims to enhance distance higher education in Greece and provide new courses in collaboration with other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This policy emerges from the growing social and academic needs to: a) provide courses in high demand academic fields, b) facilitate students' access to higher education, c) develop digital-based educational content, d) offer courses that take into account the current difficult economic situation, and e) reconstruct the HOU's academic landscape. Towards this direction, the HOU initiated partnerships with universities, ministries and other social organizations in Greece, and formed a new dedicated Unit, the Digital