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The Bavarian Virtual University: Pioneering Online Learning in Higher Education

Explore the first five years of The Bavarian Virtual University and its impact on education in Bavaria. Discover insights on financing, target groups, fields of study, course essentials, quality management, technology, and future perspectives. Contact Paul Rühl, Managing Director, for more information.

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The Bavarian Virtual University: Pioneering Online Learning in Higher Education

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  1. The Bavarian Virtual UniversityThe first five years and new perspectives Helsinki, June 20, 2005 Paul Rühl, Managing Director

  2. The Bavarian Virtual University(VHB = Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern) • an institute formed by all the universities • and the universities of Applied Sciences • in Bavaria (not an independent university!) • pilot project first put into operation in May 2000

  3. Member universities • all of Bavaria‘s 9 state universities and • 17 universities of Applied Sciences • ten „non-state“ universities, e. g. Bundeswehr- • University Munich, Catholic University Eichstätt, • the Film and Television Academy in Munich, • the Bavarian Civil Service Academy

  4. The Bavarian Universities

  5. The Bavarian/German Situation • face to face education easily available • to all „traditional“ students • distance education plays a minor role • need for complete online or blended-learning curricula is limited • from a political point of view, web-based and -aided teaching and learning is attractive when cost-effective.

  6. The aim of the VHB • to complement the programme of the traditional • universities, not to replace them • no degrees, only credit points • to aid the member universities in educating • growing numbers of students while state • funding does not grow proportionally • to spread eLearning literacy, thus enhancing • the employability of the students

  7. 2005 Students in Bavaria2000 - 2015 (source: Wissenschaftsland Bayern 2020. München, BStMWFK, 2005)

  8. Financing 2000 - 2006 • project initially financed with EUR 11 mio as • part of the High Tech Offensive initiated by the • Free State of Bavaria • funding from other programmes: EUR 3.7 mio • funding from the regular state budget since • 2003: EUR 4.6 mio • since 2004: revenues from course licensing • since 2005: tuition fees from individual users

  9. Target groups • students at member universities (free of tuition fees) • other students (tuition fees) • persons interested in life-long learning on an academic level (tuition fees)(No special courses for this group!)

  10. Fields of study • Business sciences • Computer science • Engineering • Health • Key qualifications • Law • Social work • Teacher training

  11. Types of courses • lecture + tutorial • virtual seminar • self-instruction environment + optional tutoring A vhb-course typically equals 3 – 4 ECTS credit points

  12. Course essentials • high degree of interaction • individual tutorial guidance • meeting credit-point requirements • sustainability • demand by member-universities

  13. Quality management • peer reviews of projects • accreditation by VHB-boards • student evaluation • reports

  14. Technology • centralized student administration • and catalogue • variety of platforms and learning • management systems • individual courses are accessed • via servers at member universities

  15. VHB-Services for professors • grants for new courses • information and advice by boards and • project managers • grants for tutors • free training for tutors • grants for course maintenance • = keeping the courses sustainable

  16. VHB offices • project management • finance • student registration • internal communication and public relations • technical support • staff: 13 employees

  17. Student enrollment until summer term 2005

  18. Problems until now • financial situation secure until Dec. 2006 • possibilities for self-financing grossly overestimated • structure of VHB rather complicated • many courses do not meet sufficient demand • insufficient acknowledgement of courses bymany universities • examinations not always offered at the student‘s university

  19. Main recommendations of the evaluation committee 2005 • restructure the organisation • secure stable funding • develop courses according to the demand of the universities

  20. Restructuring • strengthen the influence (and the responsibility!) of the member universities • „Lean structures“:fewer boards and committees • relocate the VHB offices in one place(present sites: Bamberg and Hof)

  21. Funding • basic funding by state budget (suggested: 3.6 mio € p.a.) • appropriate participation of the VHB as soon as semester fees will be introduced (2007?) • revenues from course licensing and from individual customers (comparatively low in the foreseeable future)

  22. Course development to demand • in the past: • professors suggest projects • experts evaluate project quality • Board of VHB-directors selects projects for funding • in the future: • universities declare their demand, suggest and define projects • Board of VHB-directors selects projects for funding and calls for proposals (competitve bidding) • Board of directors and university representatives choose among bidders

  23. Student enrollment (forecast)

  24. Thank you for your attention! Contact:paul.ruehl@vhb.org

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