Volume index - Journal index - Article index - Map ---- Back
Comunicar Journal 36: Television and its New Expressions (Vol. 18 - 2011)
Teaching skills in virtual and blended learning environments
Francisco Imbernón-Muñoz
Patricia Silva-García
Carolina Guzmán-Valenzuela
Universities are currently immersed in what is known as the process of European convergence to create the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The aim is to establish a standardized, compatible and flexible European university system that enables graduates and undergraduates to move easily from one institution to another within Europe. As a result of evaluation mechanisms, the system will be transparent and of high quality, which will make it attractive and competitive internationally in a globalized world. In this paper, we focus on two distance learning modes that will become more important as a result of this change in universities: e-learning and b-learning. These basically involve the virtualization of learning processes through the use of computer equipment. We carried out a qualitative study using the case study method. The results indicate that teaching staff use information and communication technology (ICT) to improve student learning. Similarly, a high percentage (78%) of lecturers use some form of digital platform as a support for teaching. In conclusion, training policies should strengthen university teachers’ skills in the use of ICT equipment, tools and resources related to blended and virtual learning.
Keywords
Skills, teacher training, blended learning, e-learning, European Higher Education Area, digital platform