Preface

Blackboard was used the first time at the KHLim in the academic year 1998-1999. At that time Blackboard could be used for free. Very soon the ELO was used to support the traditional way of teaching with the main goal to facilitate, not the learning process of the students, but just the opposite, to facilitate the way of teaching for lecturers. Students used the ELO to download or to print the learning materials, lecturers offered in the ELO. The function of the ELO was reduced to the kind of a virtual bookstore.

A formation was sought to learn about, not only the technical functions of ELO's, but mainly to explore the pedagogical aspects and the didactical possibilities of ELO. Every letter in the initial word ICT has so much to offer. The relation between ICT in general, ELO in particular and competence-based learning was one of the main criteria for selecting a formation. The Master of Science in E-Learning, Multimedia & Consultancy formation of the School of Education from Sheffield Hallam University (UK), in coöperation with the Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (Nl) responded to the desired profile.

Two and a half year long the formation brought these elements that were sought and even more. A detailled overview of the passed study-traject and -process can be consulted in the digital portfolio, which was builded and maintained and is published at the webserver of the SHU.  

After following the 5 modules:

the study-program will be finished with this dissertation.

This formation had already as result the co-publication with my colleague Jan Schuer of the book (in Dutch) "Digitale didactiek, de elektronische leeromgeving als krachtig hulpmiddel bij competentieleren" (Feburary 2005), in which the learning results of this formation are presented for our student teachers.