Workshop for teachers from Russia and Kazakhstan on e-learning pedagogies and tools |

A part of EduEnvi project is to build the capacity of university teachers from Russia and Kazakhstan in e-learning pedagogies and tools. The project coordinator, TAMK, organized a hands-on workshop for creating online modules on 1-12 Oct, 2018 in Tampere, Finland.

All together 13 workshop participants represented different areas such as biotechnology, business, economics, physics, waste management and tourism and came from six different universities. Jarmo Vihmalaakso from TAMK Floworks showed in the workshop how to make the course structure development and how to build an online course. One of the models used in TAMK is the five stage model –framework of Professor Gilly Salmon to build the online course.

Russia needs online courses and more skills on waste management

In the interview of Ms Irina Sergeeva, Dr of Economics and Professor of the Faculty of Technological Management and Innovations in ITMO University and Ms Olga Sergienko, PhD and Assosiate Professor of the Faculty of Food Biotechnologies and Engineering in ITMO University was found that there is a huge need for the curriculum change and curriculum development work. The complete and comprehensive curriculum in sustainable waste management is missing in Russia and Kazakhstan totally. There are courses and pieces of studies somewhere, but the comprehensive curriculum is still needed. Also the knowledge and use of e-learning is requiring some further development, that is why this project is so important to Russian and Kazakh university partners. Especially the need is for a Master level online course. The ITMO University wants to make these online courses flexible and free choice courses, which are then available for hundreds of students. This is a unique pilot in Russia.

“If we succeed in this course, then later we hope for the government funding. Russia needs more information and skilled specialists on waste management and environmental issues. In this course it is important to take into consideration also the economic view and the business process. This project wants to promote also entrepreneurship in the area. This cooperation includes also companies in Russia and we need to get the feedback from Russian companies as well. Companies represent environmental business such as waste plants. We need to update the skills and knowledge in environmental issues and waste management urgently in Russia.

This course needs to be practically oriented – learning by doing.”