Peder Saether Symposium (March 9-10, 2000)
Senior Adviser Lars Skjold Wilhelmsen Abstract
A Virtual University Based on Collaboration
Senior Adviser Lars Skjold Wilhelmsen, University of Bergen, Norway
The University of Bergen (UoB) has a rather long history in the field of distance education meanly based upon the reason to improve access to education. The use of technology such as television and radio channels, satellite, video-conferencing and internet has gradually developed since 1984.
Different models of co-operation have been used both in development and distribution of courses, mainly with the aim to improve access to higher education. Many lessons have been learned, especially the need for contracts regulating the form and obligation of co-operation (Wilhelmsen, 1996).
During the last three years an other reason, in addition to the "old" one, as showed a growing interest among faculty members, especially within natural science. That is in co-operation with related departments in foreign universities to increase both the quality and number of courses for internal fulltime students by use of video-conferencing to give reel time teaching in combination with a web-based learning environment. UoB is for the moment been, involved in two collaboration projects. One in marine biology together with University of Maryland and University of Gothenburg, the other is under the umbrella of the Inter North Sea University to establish a master programme in "Integrated Coastal Zone Management" together with University of Oldenburg. This for us new model of a virtual university has given new challenges, of which some will be discussed.
Reference:
Wilhelmsen, L.S. (1996): Integrating Distance and Traditional Education at a University. (In George, J.W., Nylehn, B., and Støkken, A.M. (eds): Distance Education in Norway and Scotland, Experiences and Reflections. J.Donald Publishers Ltd., Edinburg, pp 117 – 132. )
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