Authors:
J. Izquierdo
1
;
P. A. López
1
;
V. S. Fuertes
1
and
F. J. Izquierdo
2
Affiliations:
1
Centro Multidisciplinar de Modelación de Fluidos, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain
;
2
Área de Sistemas de Información y Comunicaciones (ASIC), Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain
Keyword(s):
Distance learning, continuous professional development, water engineering.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Authoring Tools and Content Development
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning Standards and Tools
;
Information Technologies Supporting Learning
;
Instructional Design
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Virtual Learning Environments
;
Web-Based Education
;
Web-Based Teaching and Learning Technologies
Abstract:
Based on our wide experience in continuous professional development (CPD) through traditional activities
and hands-on experience on several commonly used Learning Management Systems, we have integrated
both concepts and developed a simple, yet effective e-learning approach to help professionals in the water
field to fill the gap between their sometimes not updated background and the new features that characterize
the water field in the present days. We argue that this task can make use of the same approach that is
essential to the knowledge discovery process, to which the e-learning process boils down to. In this
contribution we present the work performed at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, within the
Multidisciplinary Team of Fluid Modelling, on web systems to support technology enhanced learning
specifically addressed to professionals in the Water field. Our approach hinges on the joint use of the online
as well as the offline characteristics of the e-learning proce
ss and puts to work together in a synergic way
both traditional and technology-based learning know-how. As a result, a number of distance courses have
been produced that are used for Engineering CPD across the globe, since many professionals worldwide,
mainly from Spanish speaking countries, have followed our courses. We present the evolution of our system
and the results obtained from testing and evaluating the prototype during the last three years. We have
identified issues significant to users in order to better manage the system and changes required to adapt our
system to organizational processes and context. Feedback received from trainees indicates both the validity
of our approach and the feasibility of implementing e-learning materials to contribute to CPD in the water
field in particular and in any field in general, since the methodology herein presented can be exported in a
straightforward manner.
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