Experience of the University of Aveiro in Innovative Teaching Applications

Abstract

Nowadays Higher Education Institutions are increasingly using innovative computer technologies to make their academic communities a part of global-scale technology-enhanced learning processes. The purpose of the current research is to consider some innovative communication technologies developed and disseminated at the University of Aveiro, which is one of leading Portuguese Research&Development institutions and a member of European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The academic novelty of the article is the first attempt in the Ukrainian scientific discourse to shed light on four major projects designed and launched at the University of Aveiro, namely the Learning Management Systems SAPO Campus and MOODLE, 3D Virtual Classroom project Second Life tools, and a game-based project EduPARK, which promote e-learning and m-learning at different educational levels. The research provides theoretical explanation of key concepts of technology-enhanced learning (e-learning, blended learning, LMS, 3D Virtual Classroom, etc.) and offers a brief literature review concerning some qualitative and quantitative data analysis of the above-mentioned projects. The successful innovative experience of the UA could be a good example of CT implementation at academic level for the Ukrainian higher education institutions and help promote the concepts of so called no-walls school, Open and Social University and Digital Identity in domestic science and education.