Loading...
2 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Strengths and weaknesses of an e-learning program in environmental sciences at Universidade Aberta, PortugalPublication . Caeiro, Sandra; Martinho, Ana Paula; Fernandes, Ana Paula; Oliveira, Carla Padrel de; Nicolau, Paula Bacelar; Azeiteiro, UlissesEarlier research studies have shown that e-learning higher education is a powerful system within teaching and education for sustainable development. In spite of the advantages of independency of time and place, compared to traditional face to face, some barriers are found showing the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of e-learning system. This paper aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the 1st cycle undergraduate program of environmental sciences at the Portuguese Distance Learning Education University (Universidade Aberta, Portugal). The methods included (i) data analysis relating to the candidate’s enrolment and students’ progression from the Academic Office registry of UAb; (ii) SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of the undergraduate program (iii) inquiry by interview to student’s representatives of management councils and the university ombudsman to evaluate attitudes, barriers and motivators towards e-learning. Although higher levels of motivation, satisfaction and aptitude with e-learning of the 1st undergraduate program in environmental sciences at UAb were identified, weaknesses, namely the need to improve self-organization and time management. Recommendations to overcome the weakness found are given and new educational and teaching paths to achieve sustainability are discussed.
- Towards climate change awareness through distance learning: are young portuguese and brazilian university students vigilant?Publication . Caetano, Fernando J. P.; Oliveira, Carla Padrel de; Araújo, Magnólia F. F.; Rêgo, Maria C. F. D.Although distance learning and e-learning are currently acknowledged as important training tools for higher education institutions, they are seldom used as a way of disseminating environmental sustainability, climate change and its implications. The work presented here is the result of a teamwork between two universities, one from Brazil and the other from Portugal, which joined efforts to promote an interdisciplinary massive open on-line course associated with the environmental sustainability. We have inquired young university students from these two countries in order to understand which are their main conceptions and ideas about the climate changes as well as proposals they have for its mitigation. From these dialogs, we observed that, irrespectively of the geographical distance/location, those young students, share similar concerns, conceptions and proposals but it is also noticeable a clear lack of scientific knowledge when discussing these topics. This is an important starting point for the creation of a set of learning resources accessible to different audiences and with different and diverse backgrounds that can stimulate the interest on scientific knowledge. In this context it is our believe that eLearning and distance education supported by the information technologies can efficiently and effectively contribute for a well-supported knowledge on environmental sustainability, namely climate changes its causes and effects.