The distance learning experience in Mykolas Romeris university PhD. Nijolė Saugėnienė, Eglė Malinauskienė Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania

Mykolas Romeris university Mykolas Romeris University is modern and dynamic institution seeking to have a well- established position in European higher education area. The mission of the University is to deliver high quality education, to accumulate and nourish intellectual potential, to train society’s leaders capable of creating and implementing innovations which influence the overall progress.

Few figures about MRU Mykolas Romeris University is a modern, dynamic and fast growing university. In 2002, Mykolas Romeris University (formerly the Law University of Lithuania) was first university which received full international accreditation of study programs in the field of law in Lithuania. International accreditation was also awarded to the Public Management study programs in Presently over 80% of study programs have international accreditation.

Few figures about MRU University joined the ranks of signatories of Magna Charta Universitatum in There are 6 faculties, 39 departments at University. Over students are enrolled in the studies In the academic year 2006/2007.

Distance studies in Mykolas Romeris University The current MRU development stage is determined by national changes: Lithuania has become a member of the European Union, the labor market has faced radical changes, the need for research has increased. MRU analyses all these factors and implements various corrections in its activities and develops. There are very ambitious and challenging goal in MRU Strategic development plan till 2010: to addopt for distance studies part of study programmes.

Why conventional university decided to create open and distance learning system? We found ourselves new ideas proclaiming the importance of lifelong learning in the 21st century. The context of lifelong learning has changed as information and communication technologies permeate our societies.

Informational comunicational revolution and new ways to knowlegde The modern world under the influence of fast development of informational communicational technologies sustained significant changes in economical and cultural life.

Material facilities and human resourses The demands for human resources and material facilities when conventional higher education institution is going to develop the open and distance learning system – what we have and what we need?

Challenging Goal This year we started with three project (financed from EU Structural funds) and till 2008/9 school year we will adopt 1 bachelor study programme (Law and Administration) and prepare 2 master study programmes for distance learning. The gathering of financing from founds let us to recruit all members of academical community for this specific goal.

Ambitious and Challenging Goal versus economical risk Prior role on the start-up phase definitely play staff or human resources. The investment is on risk from the economical point of view. A chance to take less risk is seeking for external support from government, various funds. We choose two ways: investments from funds+university’s own resourses

Open and distance learning system at MRU We choose open learning a model : students could subscribe to separate courses or join to study programs. We use “Moodle”. We apply mixed course delivering model (with combining synchronouse and asinchronouse time study).

The impact of information and communication technologies New technologies given new meaning to understanding of open and distance learning. The impact of information and communication technologies is well- defined through all education system, but especially in distance learning.

Technical facilities of distance learning at MRU Servers: Windows 2003 Server for streaming video (1 TB storage) 2 Windows 2003 Servers for Moodle. (version 1.7) Linux Mandrake server for students registration.

Technical facilities of distance learning at MRU Video conference equipment: Video systems Tandberg 990 and Tandberg 970 (in nearest future plans TANDBERG 6000 MXP Codec and Tandberg Content Server).TANDBERG 6000 MXP Codec Tandberg 990 possibilities to send presentations simultaneously with DuoVideo and H.239 Dual Stream. Network speed up to 2 Mbps IP (H.323 or SIP) (ISDN not in use). Multi site up to 5 conference participants.

MRU technical facilities in LieDM LieDM – Lithuanian Distance Learning Network. MRU is a member of LieDM. MRU can use resources of Network – 3 conference studios, 7 mini conference studios, 18 distance learning classes all over Lithuania and other resources.

What kind of benefit? What kind of benefit university expects to get from activities in the field of creation of open and distance learning system?

New Competencies First argument for system: academic, pedagogical and technical staff could shape new competencies.

Higher Quality Learning Material Second argument: learners, not only of distance learning system, get higher quality learning materials that is useful not only in distance but in conventional learning too.

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