1. e-Learning for Lifelong Learning in Slovakia
30 August 2010, Phuket
e-Learning for Lifelong Learning
in Slovakia
Alena Pistovcakova
Jaroslava Kovacova

2. Content of Presentation
Basic Facts about Slovakia
Education Systems
Concepts of LLL and e-Learning
Government Policy and Legislative Documents
Financing and Funding Issues
Typical e-Learning for LLL
Recommendations and Prospects
Resources

3. Slovakia – Basic Facts (1)
Capital: Bratislava (48°09’N, 17°07’E)
Area: square kilometers
Population: (2001 census)
Bordering countries: Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and the Ukraine
Government: Parliamentary Republic
Independence: January 1, 1993 (from the Czecho-Slovak Federation) Official language: Slovak
Slovakia is a small central-european country often introduced like "The Heart of Europe" or "The Country in the Heart of Europe".
It's not just for geografical location, but there is also the Geographic Center of Europe within its territory.

4. Slovakia – Basic Facts (2)
General Facts
Indicator Value
Population Density
110 per sq. km
Urban Population
34.8 %
Major Ethnic Nationalities
Slovaks 86% , Hungarians 10%, Other 4%
Currency Unit
1 EURO = 30,126 SKK
Economic Facts
GDP (EURO)
15 072,4 Million
GDP Growth %
Output Gap (% of Potential GDP) %
Inflation (Average Consumer Price Change %)
0.925 %
Unemployment Rate (% of Labour Force)
12.05 %
Employment
2.366 Million
Internet Users
3.566 Million
Internet Hosts
(2009) (2008)
Administration Facts
Self-government regions 8
Administrative districts 79
Self-governing Municipalities
2928

5. Education Systems in Slovakia (1)
Education is compulsory from 6 to 16 and; fully funded by the state at all levels.
The literacy rate is almost 99%.
Education expenditures = 3.9% of GDP.
Country comparison to the world: 111.
The educational system as defined by the current Slovak legislation includes the following levels of education:
Pre-primary education;
Primary and lower secondary education;
Secondary general and vocational/technical education;
Higher (tertiary) education;
Education of adults.
E-Learning as a concept is relevant to all the above levels with the possible except of the pre-primary education.

6. Education Systems in Slovakia (2)
The quality, outcomes and changes in the education system have become important topics only in recent discussions  calls for a systematic identification of quality including the development of adequate instruments and technologies for measuring and monitoring the results of education and training.
The Ministry of Education has recognised the need to obtain impartial information necessary for the efficient management of educational work at schools as well as for the decision-making of pupils and parents.
The declining quality of performance in education and training has been influenced mainly by these factors
partial absence of qualification and professionalism in teaching,
insufficient equipment of schools with educational technology/IT,
insufficient equipment of schools with textbooks or the absence of quality textbooks.

7. Concepts of LLL and e-Learning (1)
The natural social and economic development of the recent time generated a whole society need of adopting of lifelong learning and lifelong guidance strategy (LLL and LLG Strategy) being the tool for forming a knowledge society  priority of the government declared in the Program declaration of the Government of the Slovak Republic ( ).
The main goal of the LLL and LLG Strategy (April 2007) is a flexible obtaining of new qualifications for the citizens apart from formal also in non-formal system of education and in the system of informal learning with the assistance of complex counselling and guidance services during the entire life.
Approach of the state policy and value of lifelong learning was underlined by Act on further education adopted in 1997, which was replaced by Act on lifelong learning adopted in December 2009.

8. Concepts of LLL and e-Learning (2)
The priority objective of the development of LLL in Slovakia is based on the adopted conceptual and strategic materials targeted on:
Establishment of conditions for general equal and constant access of citizens to acquiring new and renewed skills;
Increasing the level of investments in education;
Introduction and promotion of innovations in education;
Design of procedures and rules in the evaluation of the participation in education and education results especially in the case of informal and non-formal education;
Ensuring the access to quality information and advice regarding the possibilities of lifelong education for all;
Providing education opportunities as close as possible to learners.

9. Concepts of LLL and e-Learning (3)
Slovakia does not yet have a national strategy for e-Learning and the supply of e-Learning activities is generally not well developed. The existing legislation does not deal directly with e-Learning, it only defines a general legal framework and principles concerning how an education program can be accredited.
The eLearning Index indicates a country's ability to produce, use and expand Internet-based learning. The Chart is based on scores for education, industry, Government and society.
Because of the trend of slow Internet development in Slovakia (compared to the rest of the EU), it is unlikely that Slovakia’s position in relevant areas has dramatically changed.

10. Concepts of LLL and e-Learning (4)
Decision No. 2318/2003/EC of the European Parliament and the Council - a new community eLearning program had been implemented for the years 2004 – 2006.
Main objective = efficient engagement of ICT in learning and professional training in Europe as a point of departure for lifelong learning.
Until now all most visible eLearning activities have been developed in Slovakia mainly by individual initiatives of public universities, foreign IT companies, training institutions and NGOs initiatives – very chaotic proces, lacking support from some central eLearning agency.
Strategic Governmental documents relating to the implementation of eLearning in Slovakia are missing. There is a lack of specific legislation supporting the eLearning process, too.

11. Government Policy and Documents (1)
The area of eLearning belongs to the responsibility of: the Ministry of Transport, Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Finance ,the Government Office (position of Plenipotentiary for the Information Society, who should report directly to the Vice-Prime Minister for Knowledge Society),the Ministry of Education (general responsibility for education including life-long education and training).
Like with lacking policies, there is no concrete strategy focusing only on eLearning (=part of strategies dealing with other related issues). It is also important to note that the majority of most recent strategies arose from European Union level policies.
The National Strategic Reference Framework for Structural Funds programming (December 2006) ,
National Strategy for Lifelong Learning (April 2007),
The Strategy of Competitiveness until 2010 (National Lisbon Strategy, February 2005)
National Information Society Policy (2001), Millennium - National Policy for Education and Training (2000), Action Plans, new adopted Acts (2009).

12. Government Policy and Documents (2)
The important legislation influencing application of eLearning in educational and training areas in Slovakia is as follows:
Schooling Act (primary and secondary education),
Higher Education Act (universities),
Act on Further Education (training and lifelong learning).
Other supporting legislation related to the implementation of eLearning is as follows:
Act on Civil Service (training of civil servants),
Act on Employment (training of the employed/unemployed),
Copyright Act (protection of intellectual property rights),
Personal Data Protection Act,
Electronic Communications Act (infrastructure).
Legislation from an eLearning perspective:
New Schooling Act (Act on Education and Training),
New Act on Lifelong Learning,
New Act on Youth,
New Act on Financial Support to Municipalities for the training of youth.

13. Financing and funding
According to law on further education, financing for lifelong learning is provided from a variety of sources - subsidies from state budget, fees from participants, employers’ funds, the budget of the National Labour Office, funds from municipal budgets, funds from foundations and other natural persons and legal entities, foundations and donations.
The resources flowing into the formal and informal subsystems of education can be divided into two main groups:
- public resources (derived from the public budget)
- other resources (resources spent by the business subjects, the third sector, the European Union, private resources of lifelong education participants)
In order to provide for supporting tools for motivation of participation of the involved stakeholders in lifelong learning, it will also be necessary to look for possibilities of its effective financing in the framework of the legislative changes proposed in the future.

14. Characteristics of e-Learning for LLL
The main positive impact of e-Learning on the education system in Slovakia can be seen in tertiary education, characterised by the highest level of e-Learning projects already implemented.
A gradual positive impact can be observed also in training at workplace by big companies and in the lifelong learning system provided by universities. Currently, most interest seems to be in courses that are internationally certified.
Universities, some private education institutions and large enterprises (mainly with foreign investments) are the most active in the development of e-Learning services in the Slovak Republic. Public administration, primary and secondary schools and SMEs are still lagging behind.
However, universities fall behind in e-Learning content management, since human resources in this area require heavy funding, which cannot be covered by grants and state subsidies in many cases.

15. Typical e-Learning for LLL – examples (1)
CNAP (CISCO Networking Academy Program) - in January 2001, the Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and Cisco Systems and has been in force since. The project offers excellent possibilities for secondary and tertiary education students as well as employed people to be trained in high-tech IT by eLearning methods.
INFOVEK Project (within the State Institute of Information and Prognoses on Education) - one of the most effective projects managed by public administration in the area of eLearning. One of the four pillars of this project was to equip every primary and secondary school (public, church or private) in the Slovak Republic with a multimedia classroom with high quality Internet access.
DIGISTUR Project (Digitalni Sturovci Project) successor of the INFOVEK project idea is trying to involve the majority of schools participating in the INFOVEK project in wider ICT training activities for citizens in the whole territory of Slovakia. This project belongs to the most effective projects managed by public administration in the area of eLearning.

16. Typical e-Learning for LLL (2)
Tomorrow is Today - the Slovak Telekom eLearning project , which aim was to create a learning system to enable coherent learning management, focused on supporting strategic tasks and corporate objectives in the times of transformation.
DILBAC project was financed by the European Union under the Leonardo da Vinci Program (until 2006). The aim was the preparation of eLearning modules in the area of banking and accounting and cooperation between the academic institutions and institutions from practice. The interim outputs : survey of eLearning needs in banks and enterprises, elaboration of curricula and the creation of education modules, command of eLearning methodology and the establishment of a virtual library.
ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) the initial objective of the former Slovak Government was to make all civil servants pass the tests until the end of 2008 on a voluntary basis. € 5.3 million were allocated for the initial project, with co-financing of the European Social Fund.

17. Typical e-Learning for LLL (3)
School for Young Rescuers - the Rescue Team Slovakia civic association, focusing mainly on voluntary rescue services designed the learning project to enable all pupils, students and even adults – teachers, parents, ordinary citizens – to acquire and renew their knowledge in the area of prevention, health- and lifesaving, first aid and emergency aid.
Internet for Education based on the MINERVA Action Plan for Information Society aiming to support the wider usage of broadband by the young generation in Slovakia. The project offers the possibility to receive a 2-year limited financial subsidy from the state (approx. 8 EUR per month) for the establishment of a new broadband connection at home.
eLearning projects implemented by universities – since 2005 the majority of universities have actively worked on the implementation of eLearning for their own students and successfully developed eLearning portals (e.g. University of Matej Bel in Banska Bystrica,SPU Nitra, STU Bratislava and UKF Nitra, TU Zvolen). STU Bratislava drafted also an eLearning Action Plan.
eLearning Project (Virtual University of Drama Art) - in collaboration with the European Cultural Society (five e-courses distributed via the Internet) dealing with the world and Slovak theatre of the 20th.

18. Typical e-Learning for LLL (4)
DIVES Program (Distance Learning Via Internet) - the civic association The House of Europe contributed to eliminating discrimination and inequality in the labour market. This program was designed for secondary school and university graduates, mothers on maternity leave, the long-term unemployed, people over the age of 50, employees of non-profit organisations as well as for disabled people. The courses were free of charge with purpose to find a job. Project participants had a choice of nine courses (the English language course, project management, regional policy and EU structural funds, entrepreneurial, self-Government and public administration, civil society, community development courses as well as volunteering or international political development courses). All courses received the accreditation from the Ministry of Education.
The list of above-mentioned projects is not exhaustive, however these projects are presented because of the speed of their implementation, innovative character or because of their originality. Every successful eLearning activity has a positive impact on society as it brings the possibility to test new ways of teaching and training.

19. Recommendations and Prospects (1)
The information society is not a goal but an instrument to develop knowledge-based society. Flexible learning represents a new philosophy of education with the focus on students. Electronic forms of education provide quick access to the information required.
Although e-Learning sets higher demands on computer skills and knowledge of students, it also offers alternative solutions in education. It is necessary to implement e-Learning very sensitively, so that it turns out to be a useful tool.
In Slovakia, the most important policy objectives in e-Learning are as follows:
Modern educational systems also for primary and secondary educational levels;
Flexible and effective training activities for all strata of population;
Practical lifelong learning implementation.

20. Recommendations and Prospects (2)
The Government should also ensure and use its legislative and financial instruments more efficiently in order to:
Ensure broadband Internet availability to all levels of society and all country regions;
Motivate more efficient use of e-Learning by educational institutions;
Foster lifelong learning of employees as a constant part of the important strategic decision making process in the business sector.
The key mechanisms clearly related to necessary Government actions aiming at supporting further development of e-Learning are as follows:
Implement the new adopted legislation (new Lifelong Learning Act, new Schooling Act);
Prepare and implement National e-Learning Strategy, National/Regional/Local e-Learning action plans;
Improve broadband and multimedia infrastructure for primary and secondary school;
Improve computer literacy of citizens - especially disadvantaged target groups.

21. Recommendations and Prospects (3)
The new legislation needs to be adjusted to define e-Learning as an integral form of education.
The Government should provide sufficient promotion = e-Learning would not be perceived only as a trendy word included in educational strategies, but it should rather support the implementation of e-Learning in the process of efficient transformation of the Slovak educational system.
There is a necessity for the creation of a publicly available central database of eLearning projects and products = for further acceleration of utilization of existing e-Learning experience and as an e-Learning knowledge database. Principles of creation, responsibility, rights and obligations of all relevant institutions related to such database should be defined by law.
For wider involvement of e-Learning in the distance form of education at universities, LLL institutions or at other levels of the educational system for physically disadvantaged people, it is necessary to prepare and adopt an e-Authentication regime. It is very important to solve this problem on legal base as it will allow preparing more possibilities for education based on ICT solutions for specific target groups.

22. Recommendations and Prospects (4)
Here are also other topics, which need to be addressed in order to facilitate e-Learning development in Slovakia:
Improvement in digital rights management (ensuring practical implementation and methodology support for lifelong learning);
E-Learning content creation and management - study of optimal teaching methods for pupils of different ages, different kind of education regimes, different kinds of study topics and different kinds of specific target groups;
Development of e-Learning curricula and methodology focusing on effective e-Learning incorporation into teaching methods;
E-Learning management for Municipality level (increase of effectiveness and balanced e-Learning usage by public administration institutions in all regions aiming to ensure high-trained civil servants);
Improvement of higher education of new teachers implementing new e-Learning approaches.

23. Resources
Arneberg P., Keegan D.,The provision of e-Learning in the EU.
Demiray U., Cases on Challenges facing e-Learning and National Development: Institutional Studies and Practices, Anadolu University Eskisehir, Turkey. Electronic ISBN (1.c).
Druga P., The Development of eServices in an Enlarged EU: e-Learning in Slovakia. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, European Communities, ISSN
e-Learning Country Report – Slovakia. Tomas Sabol, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Slovak Republic. <
European Commission, OECD, EUROSTAT, Legal Journals Slovakia, Ministerial and Governmental documents, interviews and web search.

24. Thank you very much for your attention!
Online learning is not the „next“ big thing, it is the „now“ big thing.
Donna J. Abernathy