Creating e-learning course on biodiversity in the European project Key to Nature

Абстракт

An e-learning course in biodiversity was conducted for the first time among
universities in Bulgaria in Shumen University. The aim was to use the opportunities provided by the project Key to Nature (sponsored by the EC Programme eContentPlus) and the e-learning platform Moodle to develop and support the delivery of specialised training courses in Higher Education. In order to realise this goal the authors have developed a sample course in Botany. The course was conducted in the period September 2010 - February 2011. Thirty six students studying biology participated in the course. The results show that it provides an accessible option for remote collection, publication and verification of information of different nature and sources. The course proved the effectiveness of e-learning as a form of self-study that complements traditional forms. In the future, we expect an increase of the role of e-learning in Bulgarian universities, and even to replace some (parts) of the conventional study forms. 

References:

Key To Nature Project. http://www.keytonature.eu/, September 2014.

Key To Nature Moodle e-learning platform.  http://k2n.dmaster.org/moodle-new/, September 2014.

E-course “Trees and Shrubs in the Park of Shumen University” http://k2n.dmaster.org/moodle-new/course/view.php?id=45, (Login as a Guest; in Bulgarian), September 2014.

Cole J. & Foster H. 2008. Using Moodle: Teaching with the Popular Open Source Course Management System, 2nd Edition, O’Reilly Media Inc., USA.

Mihnev P. & Raycheva N. 2010. An assignment-based e-learning course on the use of Key-ToNature e-keys. - In: Nimis P. & Lebbe V. (eds). Tools for Identifying Biodiversity: Progress and Problem. Proceedings of the International Congress Paris, September 20-22, 2010. EUT - Edizioni Université di Triest, Italy, 355-360.

Nimis P., Martellos S., Kozhukarova E. & Mihnev P. 2010. Materials for interactive key of wild and cultivated trees and shrubs in Bulgaria. http://dbiodbs.units.it/carso/chiavi_pub21?sc=324, September 2014.

Taylor P. & Maor D. 2010. The Constructivist On-Line Learning Environment Survey (COLLES), Curtin University of Technology, Pert, Australia. http://surveylearning.moodle.com/colles/, 2014.

Taylor P. & Maor D. 2010. Example COLLES (Preferred and Actual), Curtin University of Technology, Pert, Western Australia. http://surveylearning.moodle.com/mod/survey/view.php?id=3, September 2014.