VIRCLASS The Virtual Classroom for Social Work in Europe

1. VIRCLASS The Virtual Classroom for Social Work in Europe Presentation at EUSW 2nd Annual Meeting in Olsztyn 19-21 October 2006 Anne Karin Larsen Bergen University College

2. About the presentation • Short history • Visions, objectives and elements • Curriculum development • Development of digital competences • What it means to be an e-learning student • New learning material: The Virtual Book – A guide to social work in Europe • A video case production

3. The idea startet • In the first annual meeting in EUSW-TN in Parma november 2002 the idea about e-learning courses in addition to the summer school in Parma started

4. Several meetings have been held • In Kaunas – May 2003 • In Dornbirn – annual meeting EUSW - June 2003 • In Madrid - November 2003 • In Parma – February 2004 • In Hungary, annual meeting EUSW – MAy 2004 • In Bergen October 2004 • In Jønkøping February 2005 • In Amsterdam Sept. 2005 • In Bergen February and June 2006 • In Dornbirn March 2006 • In Madrid September 2006 • In Bergen November 2006

5. Visions • To integrate the VirClass e-learning study Social Work in Europe as an optional course in ordinary Social Work programmes for BA students at the Universities in Europe • To develop an international BA in Comparative Social Work including the VirClass courses.

6. OBJECTIVES for VIRCLASS • To develop eLearning courses in Social Work in a comparative perspective for an international group of students with an • International group of teachers • A common curriculum plan and readings • International e-learning courses presented as optional courses in the curriculum plans for Social Work educations in Europe. • Courses of interests also for professional social workers who wish an international perspective on social work

7. The elements in the project • Production of e-learning courses in SW • Curriculum development • Administration, organisation and coordination • Development of a virtual campus for social work in Europe • Creation of Virtual Learning Materials • Dissemination of research and results at conferences, journals and books

8. Applications not approved: MINERVA 2004 ELearning 2005 Budget 2003-2006: 1,7 million NOK (206000 EURO) Applications approved Financed by Norwegian state foundation. Norway Opening University SOFF/NUV 2004-05 NUV 2006-07 Bergen University College Support for meetings and travel costs from partner institutions and EUSW Invested working time from partners The VirClass project financial support

9. About the content in the e-learning courses • Pilot course in spring 2005 • New courses from October 2006 – May 2007

10. Structure of the two e-learning modules

11. Modules and themes • 2-modules • Module 1: Social Work in Europe. Commonalities and Differences • Module 2: Comparative Social Work. European Perspective on Core aspect of Social Work • 2A: Discrimination, Oppression and Ethnic diverstiy as phenomenon in Europe. Antioppressive approaches to Social work • 2B: Poverty and Welfare systems in Europe. Anti oppressive approaches to Social Work • 2C: Social Work Theories and Methods in Context

12. In 2005 • 62 students from 16European countriesparticipated in the programme Picture from the Summer School in Parma 2005

13. Students voice • Before starting this course I had a strong provision that distance learning is not suitable for social work studies. I was definitely wrong. Modern technologies provide us with possibilities to communicate in a different way, which also widen our view on a field of social work

14. The Pedagogy in the course • E-learning pedagogy a new teaching method • 5 principles of teaching and learning • Create a virtual learning environment where students feel inspired, safe and confident • Problem based/task oriented way of learning • Stimulating cooperation, interaction and dialogue • Self-reflection on learning • Evidence based writing

15. IT:s LEARNING –A Learning Management System • A password protected classroom • Gives students and teachers different access and options • Settle ethical standards for communication in the classroom

16. New Learning Materials – development of VIRTUAL BOOK • Why? • To create reuseable learning resources possible to use in other Learning Management Systems (LMS) • Visual atractive elements – more interactive • Make the classroom more attractive and inspirering for students • Make use of both words, sound and video • Reduce the preparation work for teachers

17. Content in the Virtual Book • Screen lectures • Short 15 minutes presentation of lectures for the courses • Triggers • Audiovisual elements (pictures, soundtrack, animations) to start discussions about social work • Video Case. Mrs K. and her Family • 12 scenes that will be presented as part of the study programme in module 2

18. Students entrance to the course and the book www.virclass.net/student

19. From the studio recording of the Video Case

20. Mrs. K and her Family

21. Partners in the project 13 partners are involved in the Virclass project: • Bergen University College • University of Wales, Swansea • School of Health Sciences, Jønkøping University, Sweden • University of Complutense, Madrid, Spain • Instituto Superior Miquel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal • University of Warma-Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland • University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg, Austria • University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Germany • University INHOLLAND, Haarlem, Nederlands • University of Kaunas, Lithuania • University of Parma, Italy • Bodø University College, Norway • City of Bergen, Bergen, Norway