WP.3: Creating VATL
Creating the Virtual Academy of Teaching and Learning (VATL)
BSU will lead WP.3 as the most advanced PC partner in teaching with technologies. Main goal is to establish a virtual platform promoting and disseminating innovative technology-enhanced T&L and use of OERs. It will provide online teacher development services to EPC academic community.
TF3 will be created to study practices of virtual teaching platforms and OERs at EU HEIs. To assess preconditions in PC HEIs, an analysis of current regulatory and technological settings will be conducted. Based on the results TF3 will produce a ToR for VATL development with requirements on its structure, functionalities, coordination, membership policy, services, etc. A crucial activity is a development and testing of ICT solutions/software for VATL portal. TF4 will be established with involvement of best ICT specialists from PC and EU partners to implement this task.
Relevant infrastructure for implementation of VATL network will be set up. Each PC HEI will be equipped with the necessary hardware, software and communication infrastructure to produce OER content and support implementation of common VATL portal. 9 multimedia content building studios assembled with audio-video and lighting equipment will be established allowing teachers to create OERs with multimedia content. Methodological guidelines (VATL Manual) for implementing OER concept will be elaborated, published and disseminated among PC HEIs. To secure smooth and efficient adoption of the Manual, a training with a workshop, conducted by qualified OER trainers, will be organized in KU Leuven for 28 trainers and staff of TSDCs. Participants will develop OERs meeting the predefined standards.
To operationalise VATL each PC HEI will produce and publish OERs for VATL repository. The materials will be published on each HEI's hub and indexed within the common VATL portal thus resulting in a functioning VATL network. To evaluate the initial products, each HEI will create a representative group of teachers and students who will enrol in specific VATL courses and provide feedback on the value of OERs and on overall impression from VATL.