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European Virtual Seminar
on
sustainable development
The aim of the EVS (European Virtual Seminar on
Sustainable Development) is to promote an
international and multidisciplinary dialogue on
sustainable development issues between students
from all over Europe by using modern ICT.
In this seminar students are directly confronted with
different views and opinions on sustainable
development issues. Views and opinions that are
highly related to different social, cultural, political,
economic and environmental backgrounds students
are living in.
What’s the EVS about?
 collaborative learning
 place and time independent learning
 using modern information and communication technology
 promoting an international and multidisciplinary dialogue
on sustainable development issues in Europe
 co-operation between institutions for higher education
Short history
 2000 small project funding by the EU: coordinated by the
Open Universiteit Nederland & COPERNICUS-CAMPUS
 2001 pilot: 6 institutions, 50 students, 6 groups, 3 cases
 2002 1st run: 12 institutions, 45 students, 9 groups, 4 cases
 2003 2nd run: 15 institutions, 70 students, 11 groups, 5 cases
 2004 3rd run: 20 institutions…students, ...groups, ...cases
EVS partners 2004-2005
Didactic concept
pedagogy
 collaborative learning via internet
 international and multidisciplinary compound groups
 two phases in EVS course:
– individual: electronic learning environment and team building
– group: research proposal, research, group report, policy summary
 assessment and marking:
– group products (report and policy summary) by the expert
– group process (cooperation group members) by the tutor
content
 overall theme: Sustainable Development in Europe
 case studies
– European Union and the agricultural policy. Case: Poland
– European spatial planning and policy. Case: the regions with the
Mediterranean forest Dehesa
– Integrated water management. Implementation of the European
Water Framework Directive. Case: Danube
– Nature and biodiversity conservation. Case: Rumanian forests
– The Lisbon Strategy. Case: Making Europe the most competitive
(+ sustainable?) region of the world
– Lakes in Sweden
– Sustainable enterprises
community
 student groups: international & multidisciplinary (4-6 members)
 tutors: coaching and assessing group process
 experts: assessing group products
 institutional coordinators: project management & formal issues
electronic learning environment
 web based course materials
 communication and interaction between students (and staff)
facilitated by modern ICT
 communication tools:
‒ group areas (open and secured)
‒ electronic discussion boards
‒ chat facilities
‒ e-mail facilities
Students participation
To participate in the EVS students should:
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be interested in sustainable development issues
be interested in group work
be able to read and write English
have access to a computer and internet connection
have an open mind to E-learning
EVS–run 2004-2005
start 20 October
end 17 January
studyload 100-120 hours (8-10 hours a week)
20 institutions in 13 European countries
a lot of different disciplines
3 physical meetings at your institution (today, middle, end)
focus on virtual cooperation with students from all over
Europe in small groups (4-6 group members)
 assistence by coordinators, tutors, experts
 publication in the COPERNICUS Open Science Resource
on Sustainable Development
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EVS screen dumps: webportal
main menu
content area (case study Danube)
communication area: a group discussion board
group products - report
More information?
EVS: http://blackboard.ou.nl/evs