Abstract:

In this work we present an experience carried out in the Universitat Jaume I of Castellón (Spain) that tries to homogenize similar degrees inside the European Union (harmonization) and to coordinate the work tasks with university studies. During the academic year 2007/2008, we started a pioneer project in Business Studies which combines traditional and online learning (blended learning) with the aim of adapting the current training to European Space for Higher Education. In this modality, reduced schedules are offered to students in conjunction jointly with e-learning tools. The cooperative online tools help to enhance the communication between professors and students at any time and from any place. In this way, the work and university lives of the students can be better combined than in a traditional course. The training tools mainly used in this experience are the following: electronic tutorship, free materials for self-learning and individualized treatment of students. The results of this initiative, after the first year, are summarized in a higher participation of any agent involved in the course. The participation of new students, with low time availability, which would have not followed a traditional course, is evident. As well as a higher implication from professors and students of the course and the fact that students of this course have an academic yield comparable to the rest of students. Finally, a statistical analysis of the results of this experience, are presented here.

References:
1. ANECA (2005). “Libro Blanco: Titulo de Grado en Economía y Empresa”.
2. Electronic studies book, Universitat Jaume I, http://lleu.uji.es.
3. Project PISA (2004). “Learning for tomorrow’s world”. PISA, OCDE.
4. Sein-Echaluce, M.L., Martínez, V., Lerís, D., Correas, J.M., Castelló, J. and Boal, N. (2008). “An e-learning platform project for international university cooperation”. INTED2008, International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia (Spain).
5. Virtual Programme, Universitat Jaume I, www.uji.es/bin/noticies/ujivirtual.pdf..
6. Vivo, J.M., Franco, M. y Callejón, J. (2004). “Relevancia y conocimiento de las matemáticas: una perspectiva de estudiantes”. XII ASEPUMA Conference, Murcia.

Keywords:

innovation in education, technology, blended learning.