Description
Thanks to the implementation of project, the Project Promoter will meet the requirements of the higher education system related to e-learning techniques. The project partners will also develop international cooperation on joint research and increased mobility. The main objective of the project is to promote good practice in educational and scientific activities, exchange experience and transfer knowledge between partners. The specific objectives are to improve the quality of education and sustainable development of institutional and educational cooperation in terms of common interest. The results for the applicant are a new educational tool - an e-learning platform including 35 courses, publications and trainings for academic staff and students, according to new methodology, and agreement on permanent partner cooperation. The partner will evaluate its own e-learning platform and improve its performance on the basis of experience gained from the project. This will happen through a joint creation of the platform, video conferences, and educational and scientific contacts.
Summary of project results
Thanks to the project, the Bielsko-Biała School of Finance and Law implemented blended-learning solutions, which improved the quality of education and made it more attractive to students. The preparation of multimedia courses, also in English, allowed the HEI to open up more to foreign students. The project also involved the promotion of good practices related to science and education, experience exchange and knowledge transfer between the partners. ICT solutions facilitating videoconferences with the partner, which have been used also after the completion of the project, were really helpful in the process of introducing new teaching technologies. As a result of the project, the architecture of an e-learning/blended-learning platform was designed and an open source platform was adapted to the needs of the Polish HEI, and model courses were prepared to be launched on the platform. Academic staff and students benefitted from publications containing guidance and the target groups of the project were trained in using the platform. The creation of the project website containing a thematic forum for the partners, where they could exchange knowledge and good practices linked to their common interests was truly essential. Numerous videoconferences were held with the partner during the project and students participated in some of them. The organisation of New Technologies Open Days at the School of Finance and Law served the purpose of the dissemination of e-learning solutions. The most important outcomes and impact: (1) the Polish HEI implemented blended-learning and e-learning solutions, which raised the standard of education; (2) thanks to its multimedia courses provided in English, the HEI is now more attractive to foreign students and its modern videoconferencing equipment is in constant use; (3) transfer of good practices and innovative solutions from a highly-rated Icelandic HEI to the Polish institution; (4) the first joint project resulted in plans for more partner initiatives; (5) a new computer lab was created in Bielsko-Biała – the Bifröst University examination centre, where Erasmus+ Icelandic students will be able to bridge curriculum gaps in a more effective way; (6) conclusion of a long-term cooperation agreement.
Summary of bilateral results
Main achievement on bilatera lever are: (1) new computer lab created in Bielsko-Biała – the Bifröst University examination centre, where Erasmus+ Icelandic students will be able to bridge curriculum gaps in a more effective way; (2) conclusion of a long-term cooperation agreement. The Bielsko-Biała School of Finance and Law intends to develop its existing cooperation with the University of Bifröst by making use of an examination centre established by the two HEIs and implementing projects relating to ICT supporting the teaching process. By making use of the video conferencing equipment that was acquired as part of the project, the HEI wishes to maintain contact with the Icelandic partner and use its assistance when developing the blended-learning system. This communication channel will be also used to exchange information and prepare more projects including student and staff exchange, and for the future joint development of the continuing education offer based on e-learning.