Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College 1 ODL as instrument for teaching and learning social work in a changing Europe Presentation of the VIRCLASS project Cosenza 26.November 2005

2 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College EUSW-TN is a project for internasjonal project development European Social Work Thematic network, Commonalities and Differences Commonalities and Differences The Virtual Classroom for social work in Europe is one of several project that was developed due to the start of EUSW-TN

3 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College The idea started…. The idea about starting an international classroom for social work by the use of e- learning arouse from the beginning of EUSW-TN Would it be possible to offer students an additional option of study by starting e- learning courses?

4 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College At first there was a plan for summer school in Parma EUSW-TN 2002 Plans for developing a summer school in 2005 An internasjonal working group was established Then the idea about preparing an e-learning based study before the summer school came up The Virclass project was established i 2003 Applications for grants from the Norwegian Opening University was approved Bergen University College have been an important partner in the funding of the project Other international institutions have supported with labour force and time for development.

5 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College The Working group for school development

6 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Our Objectives for the Virclass project To develop e-learning courses in social work in a comparative perspective for an international group of students with An international group of teachers With a common curriculum plan To be implemented as part of the curriculum plan in BA or MA- programmes in social work To be of interests for professional social workers who want an international perspective on social work

7 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College An intention of creating something new in our international co operation with partners in Europe Internasional co operation till now: Student exchange Student exchange Teacher exchange Teacher exchange Intensive Courses Intensive Courses Nettwork meetings Nettwork meetings Create a Virtual Classroom for Social Work in Europe Learn how to use the LMS-system in teaching and education To develop skills in e-learning pedagogy

8 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Project elements Curriculum co operation Administration and co ordination Developing a Virtual Campus for learning social work in a European perspective Running an international educational e- learning programme in comparative social work

9 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College The educational programme The educational programme consisted of 3 modules. 2 e-learning modules and 2 self-study modules with more or less the same curriculum plan But with different options for co operation among students and teachers among students and teachers

10 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College The overall concept of learning Constructivist and socio-cultural knowledge and understanding Task-oriented and problem-solving methods Learner-centred curriculum – students are activated, responsible for their own learning Academic and evidence based writing Self-reflection on learning

11 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Three modules With different run e-learning e-learning selfstudy selfstudy Modul 1: Social Work in Europe Commonalities and Differences Commonalities and Differences Modul 2: Comparative Social Work A European perspective on core issues of Social work A European perspective on core issues of Social work Modul 3: Social Work as subject and profession in Europe

12 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Module 2 og 3: 5 themes and options for choice Main theme 1: Antioppressive social work with focus on: Antioppressive social work with focus on: 1a: Discrimination and oppression as phenomenon in Europe 1b: Poverty as phenomenon in Europe 1c: Ethnic diversity as phenomenon in EU 2: Welfare systems 3: Social Work Education, skill training and professional competenses

13 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Number of ECTS credits Students earn from ECTS credits depending of what modules they participate in Module 1 5 credits Module 2 10 credits Module credits

14 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Assignments, grades and certificates Every module ends with a written individual assignment Graded by the scale A-F Earning ECTS credits Assessors from different countries 2 assessors for each assignment 2 assessors for each assignment Certificate signed by University of Parma and Bergen University College

15 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Target groups Students: Students: BA/Diplom; MA; (PhD) professional social workers BA/Diplom; MA; (PhD) professional social workersPartners Universities and University colleges with educational programmes for social work in Europe Universities and University colleges with educational programmes for social work in Europe

16 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College The students 120 students from 20 countries applied Age: years Majority under 25 years of age Students came from: Great Britain, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Macedonia, Turkey, Finland, Iceland, Slovenia and Austria.

17 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Educational background for students in the different modules ModuleBA/DIPLMA/PHD Social Workers Number of students Module 1 elearning53%40%15%* 32 stud. (100%) Module 2 elearning32%52%20%25stud. Module 3 67%17%16%34stud.

18 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Can social work be learned sitting by a computer chatting with other students? Some scepticism arouse This is only suitable for students with good computer skills and with good access to computers. The east-European students might have problems by joining this.

19 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College What happened? 99 % of the students had never been e-learning students before They had average computerskills A lot of East- European students applied for the courses Many students had limited access to computers / did not have computer at home, but had to use the computers at the Universities The tutorials for helping students to get familiar with the Virtual Classroom was functioning very well Students were satisfied with the support from teachers

20 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College One of the students summerized her experience this way.. “……I will describe this E-learning process as very precious to me. My colleagues from Lithuania and Sweden brought their system of studying and the profession of social worker in their countries closer to me. But the most important thing is that now, I am more interested in social work than ever. My mind was functioning in a different way these past 7 weeks. I learned the importance of the research work and I felt that everyday I wanted to learn more by going deeper and deeper into the research. I honestly expected to find many more differences between these three countries, but I saw that many of the differences have been overcome in the past ten years. Now, I am sure that our country is successfully handling the changes, trends and demands for better education and professionalisation for social workers.”

21 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Different ways of communication The e-learning students co operated from day one with students and teachers from other part of Europe by the use of internet and by being in the same virtual classroom. The self-study students co operated with their teacher and fellow students at their own University until they came to the summer school in Parma and had a lovely time together with students from other countries for 16 days.

22 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Virtuell campus combined with summer school Gives an opportunity to get to know each others before a real campus Gives possibilities to prepare and co operate by e-learning Opens the possibilities to be in contact after the summer school

23 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College It:s learning – a LMS system Learning Management System Offers a platform for learning Bulletin board Tutorials Elements for learning Tasks/assignments Tasks/assignments Pictures Pictures Video Video Respons to assignments Respons to assignments Discusion area Discusion area Presentation and delivery of final assignments Presentation and delivery of final assignments Portfolio exam Portfolio exam

24 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College How to use video triggers as part of the educational programme Questions to students: What is your interpretation of the situation to this woman? What kind of intervention(s) would you suggest? Where will she go for help in your country? What will be the role of the social worker?

25 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Welfare Systems Using pictures as triggers for discussions

26 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College What we experienced Knowledge about students Knowledge about students Knowledge about administrative arrangements and roules in different countries Knowledge about administrative arrangements and roules in different countries Knowledge about common assessments Knowledge about common assessments Knowledge about social work in Europe Knowledge about social work in Europe Knowledge about what a virtual campus can offer Knowledge about what a virtual campus can offer Knowledge about the workload Knowledge about the workload And a lot more….. And a lot more…..

27 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Future Plans Development of a new administrative and financial model for running international e-learning courses Adjustments of the curriculum plan and modules VIRCLASS will develop and run e-learning courses VIRCLASS will develop and run e-learning courses Development of a didactical model and a Virtual Book for social work in Europe Forward the work for integration of international e- learning courses in social work in the curriculum plans Increase the flexibility for students Make it possible to use different LMS systems for running the courses

28 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Web-addresses

29 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Presentation by Assistant professor Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College Haugeveien 28, 5005 Bergen, Norway phone: