Abstract:

The Silesian University of Technology, being one of the biggest technical universities in Poland and the first founded in Silesia has successfully been pursuing its mission of education, research and development on the one hand maintaining academic tradition originating from the Lvov Technical University and on the other hand, adjusting itself all the time meets new challenges of the future.

Development research on creating integrated distance learning system for Silesian University of Technology was started in 2001, but Internet was practical used in education since nineties. Technical possibilities using Internet in education are in existence since 1991, the year of connection polish academic networks to world-wide Internet. Silesian University of Technology was one of several first polish universities connected to Internet in 1991.

For next years Internet application in education has been more and more popular, especially at Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science and other faculties, where using personal computers in education is necessary. For many years systematizing and regularization all activities in distance learning at whole University are necessary. It is the main purpose of Distance Learning Platform at Silesian University of Technology.

Development research on creating integrated Distance Learning Platform for Silesian University of Technology was based on: testing several application useful for distance learning, checking possibilities of adaptation distance learning software to University, requirements, attempting to choose one (several) of them to construct distance learning service for whole University.

As results of this research Distance Learning Platform was created, as effective, integrated e-learning service for all faculties of Silesian University of Technology. Distance Learning Platform has been working at Silesian University of Technology since September 2005 (http://platforma.polsl.pl). About 16 virtual servers are integrated to one e-learning service for twelve faculties of the University.

This paper presents Development of Distance Learning Platform used by Silesian University of Technology. Distance Learning Platform is based on modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment represents LMS (Learning Management Systems) technology, a software package designed to help educators create quality online courses. Currently on Distance Learning Platform at Silesian University of Technology are available over 1200 online courses created for students of twelve University’s faculties. Number of Distance Learning Platform users exceeds 25000.

Distance Learning Platform is constantly developed. New interesting features are added as new modules to source code. New Platform modules implements the most modern technology appears in web-based e-learning and Internet services. Example of them is: Web 2.0 technology. Majority elements of Web 2.0 technology are currently implemented to Distance Learning Platform. Platform has great potential to create a successful e-learning experience by providing a plethora of excellent tools that can be used to enhance conventional classroom instruction, in hybrid courses, or any distance learning arrangements and significant contributes to increase efficiency of students’ education at Silesian University of Technology.

Keywords:

Distance Learning, Distance Education, e-learning, Learning Management, Internet.