Education and Technologies in Distance Teaching and Learning Systems – Education Sciences

ΕΤΑ50 Open and distance education: theory, institutions and functions

Course Unit Code: ETA50
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Compulsory
Semester: First (1^st)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: The purpose of the module is outlined through its main thematic fields, which concern the overview and history of distance education, the critical approach to the concept of “open education”, as well as the presentation and discussion of the structures and functions of HOU, in a way that makes it the first and only innovative higher distance education institution in Greece.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Open and Distance Education: theory, institutions, and functions”, you will be able to:

Clearly explain open education systems and how they relate to open and distance learning
Recognise the history and social context of open and distance education institutions
Understand the theory behind practice and how they have been both developed
Be aware of the functioning and infrastructure of distance education providers
Implement open access and distance learning strategies in educational institutions and curricula
Participate in the organisation and administrative support of open and distance learning institutions
Understand ethical and legal issues and exploit issues related to copyright, security, content protection, world wide web
Form an overview of the development and evolution of alternative forms of education and current trends
Distinguish between the social and educational dimensions of formal, non-formal and informal learning
Understand the social and political events that led to the establishment of the Hellenic Open University (HOU)
Understand and become familiar with the educational and academic functions of the HOU and other similar educational institutions
Compare the similarities and differences between conventional universities and the HOU
Become familiar with the educational and academic functions of the HOU and other similar educational institutions
Evaluate open and distance education institutions and processes

Evaluation: Completion of written assignments during the academic semester which constitute a 40 percent of each student’s grade, if a pass is obtained in the final or repetitive examination. Final exam grades constitute a 60 percent of the students’ final course grade.

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ51 Innovation in distance education: pedagogical and technological applications

Course Unit Code: ETA51
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Compulsory
Semester: First (1^st)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: The presentation and critical discussion of basic principles and guidelines for planning teaching and learning at a distance, in an innovative and qualitative way, making the most of modern technological applications.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Innovation in distance education: technological and pedagogical applications”, you will be able to:

Combine theory with practical applications in teaching and learning
Understand the importance of cognitive skills in theory and in practice, and how they lead to learning
Have an initial understanding of the technologies and theory that characterise open and distance learning systems
Distinguish between the basic principles and social dimensions of adult education and school education
Outline the applications and social dimensions of distance education in non-formal learning institutions
Interpret policies and strategies applied in adult education and lifelong learning
Understand the main features and conditions of accreditation and evaluation of distance education at educational and institutional level

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ52 The teaching material and the design of teaching and learning

Course Unit Code: ETA52
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Compulsory
Semester: Second (2^nd)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: The design and creation of educational material suitable for distance education is at the core of this module, which is completed through presentation and your active engagement with distance teaching and learning, drawing on theoretical data, original applications, and indicative examples.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “The educational material and the design of teaching and learning, you will be able to:

Understand the processes required to design distance learning material
Understand the theories related to the selection and design of learning material
Distinguish between models and ways of designing learning material
Analyze the framework of the content development team
Identify the differences between printed and digital material
Identify the specific characteristics associated with each type of digital material
Know the theoretical scope and specific pedagogical methods leading to learning
Understand the differences between teaching and learning
Identify the cognitive skills required and developed in the context of educational material
Identify the types of self-assessment activities and exercises included in the material
Design all types of learning material using all types of tools
Distinguish between bad practices and good practices in the design of educational material
Design educational material taking into account the specific characteristics and the different levels of education
Identify educational material based on teaching and learning processes
Use teaching techniques through examples and case studies

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ53 Teachers and learners in open and distance learning environments: applications and support

Course Unit Code: ETA53
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Compulsory
Semester: Second (2^nd)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: Through this module, you will be able to examine essential support practices in a distance teaching and learning institution. You will also be introduced to the adult learning methodology, as well as the communication practices between tutors and learners in a distance team-work environment.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Teachers and Students in Open and Distance Learning environments: Implementation and Support”, you will be able to:

Design and organize Group Counselling Meetings in person or in a digital learning environment
Design and organize Group Counselling Meetings in a digital learning environment
Design, organize and implement teaching/learning activities in a distance learning environment
Design, based on specific conditions, a study schedule for the students
Design, based on specific conditions, a teaching schedule for the teachers
Design and support requirements and methodology for academic writing
Understand and self-organize academic writing data and requirements
Utilize digital communication tools to support study and learning
Design and use student support systems
Identify the characteristic of a group
Know and activate the spirit of teamwork in all educational aspects
Understand and leverage team dynamics

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ60 Information and Communication Technologies in Education: online learning and e-learning

Course Unit Code: ETA60
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Compulsory
Semester: Third (3^rd)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: Information and Communication Technologies are the core of this module, in order for terms such as online learning and e-learning to be clarified, while explaining how to design, develop, manage and evaluate digital learning environments.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Information and Communication Technologies in Education: online learning and e-learning”, you will be able to:

Recognize the organization and operation of the ICT and distance learning models in education,
Present the application of ICT and open distance learning in the Greek educational system, in the curricula and training programs, in European education policies and the related educational reforms.
Interpret the theoretical range and specific methods for the pedagogical foundation of educational technology.
Analyse the functioning of ICTs as a teaching/learning tool through examples, case studies and applications.
Emphasis on the dimension of ICT in education in relation to other disciplines Identify the role of ICTs in Special Education
Identify the dimensions of Online Education and Online Learning Environments through examples, case studies and applications
Actively participate in online learning environments

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ61 Research methodology, design and writing of scientific work

Course Unit Code: ETA61
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Compulsory
Semester: Third (3^rd)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: If we agree that a postgraduate program should focus on research, then it is crucial to reveal the basic principles of the scientific methods that are used in distance education, to discuss matters of ethics that should be kept in every step of our research design and to describe the specifications of academic writing.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Research methodology, design and writing of scientific work”, you will be able to:

Fully understand the design of a research proposal for the realization of a postgraduate thesis
Design the steps for the realization of a thesis to initiate it during the study of the module.
Identify research questions or hypotheses within the scientific fields of the module “Methodology and research in distance education and technologies” or of the specific master program
Identify and evaluate the sources available to carry out research
Recognize the role and the importance of theories in both quantitative and qualitative research
Search for and make use of contemporary references in scientific journals, conference books, etc. to perform the literature review of your research
Formulate an appropriate theoretical framework for your research, keeping all the necessary criteria
Analyze and critically interpret contemporary literature
Document and describe the methodological choices in your research, then apply them
Create the appropriate tools for the collection of data in qualitative and quantitative research, and use them, for the realization of your research
Recognize and use the categorization of research in education (applied, basic, evaluation, developmental, action research)
Get acquainted with validation and argumentation during the realization of a research project in the specific postgraduate program
Collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data in distance education research
Describe the limitations of your research
Formulate evidence-based proposals for further research
Recognize and adhere to research ethics in ethical issues and Copyright
Present your research findings in written and oral form and discuss them critically
Write scientific articles for publication in scientific journals and conferences

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ62 Digital media in education and communication

Course Unit Code: ETA62
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Optional Mandatory
Semester: Fourth (4^th)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: Digital literacy, alternative digital forms of distance education and communication, as well as the types and forms of digital media in distance education and communication, are the issues on which this module focuses in a critical and dialectical way.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Digital Media in education and communication”, you will be able to:

Describe the historical background and the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education, as well as trends and perspectives.
Organize digital Collaborative Learning Environments and Content Management Systems.
Design educational Web2.0 applications.
Create learning activities using digital content.
Critically examine/evaluate new trends and perspectives in online education, online developments, and social networks (Web2.0, Web 4.0, etc.).
Highlight/identify the dimensions of online education and Internet Learning Environments through examples, case studies and applications.
Actively participate in online Learning Environments.
Creatively combine alternative forms of education and communication such as e.g., Mobile learning, Game based learning, Digital Storytelling

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑ63 Design, development and management of distance learning programmes

Course Unit Code: ETA63
Credits ECTS: 15
Course Type: Optional Mandatory
Semester: Fourth (4^th)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Purpose of the Module: This module focuses on the description, organisation and development of distance education institutions, study programs and organisational schemes, highlighting at the same time the key dimensions of evaluation and quality assurance.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module “Design, development, and management of distance education programs”, you will be able to:

Identify, understand, and design distance education programs
Manage the full range of parameters, and requirements in order to design distance education programs from the outset
Evaluate the political, social and economic elements that influence the creation of programs and manage their design and implementation
Identify key factors in the process of designing, developing, and managing distance education programs
Understand the role of the context in which a distance education program is designed, developed, and evaluated
Recognize key concepts and terms related to quality assurance and continuous quality enhancement in university distance education
Distinguish the relationship among assessment, quality assurance, quality continuous enhancement, and accreditation
Understand the role of assessment in ensuring and continuously improving quality in every function of educational institution
Distinguish internal and external review, as well as their goal settings and their complementary function
Recognize key factors in continuous quality enhancement systems in teaching and learning as derived from research on students’ and teachers’ experience
Identify quality features of the educational material in print and digital format
Have a critical stance towards university rankings and ISO ratings
Design assessment systems for distance education programs
Use assessment techniques efficiently through examples and case studies
Understand the important role of accreditation in distance education institutions’ function, structures, and curricula in terms of the quality services they provide
Be aware of quality indicators used by educational providers in various educational processes
Understand how the characteristics of open and distance education influence the development of accreditation indicators for educational institutions, organizations, as well as curricula
Understand the complexity of accreditation standards that an accreditation body needs to evaluate
Identify the criteria that, based on the characteristics of distance learning, certify the printed and digital teaching materials
Use the model – criteria for accreditation and use its content in a flexible way, adapting it to the requirements of educational activities

Prerequisite courses: None

Teaching method: Distance learning using the HOU’s E-Learning Platform and conducting Group Consultation Meetings (tele-GCM, face-to-face).

ΕΤΑDE Diploma Thesis

Code : ETADE
Credits ECTS: 30
Type: Optional Mandatory
Semester: Fourth (4^th)
Language: Greek
Module Outline

Content: The Postgraduate Diploma Thesis can be an be completed during the 4^th semester or beyond, in case the duration of study exceeds the minimum duration for the completion of the program, i.e. two (2) years, i.e. four (4) semesters. The length of the Postgraduate Diploma Thesis is set at 20,000 words, excluding the Cover Page, Acknowledgements, Contents, Abstract, Bibliography and Appendices.

The general categories of topics for the Theses are determined by the Director of the Master’s Program, after consultation with the Module Coordinators, and are posted on the website of the HOU, before the beginning of the registration period for students.

In this context, indicative subject areas are given, which are directly related to the specialised knowledge areas of the Master’s modules.

The realization of the Postgraduate Diploma Thesis is governed by the following stages:

Identification of the topic, research question and hypotheses
Literature Review
Critical appraisal of literature sources
Selection of research method
Selection of data collection tools and techniques
Selection of sample and information providers
Quantitative data analysis
Qualitative data analysis
Discussion, interpretation and explanation of data analysis
Limitations and requirements of research
Critical review of research work
Writing and presenting research

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the diploma thesis of Education and Technologies in Distance Teaching and Learning Systems –Educational Sciences (ΕΤΑ), you will be able to:

Design the steps to perform an empirical research in distance education and education in general
Define with clarity the notion of research question and research proposal
Identify databases to search for adequate sources
Evaluate sources in distance education
Collect data of an empirical research, applying appropriate methods
Evaluate the validity and credibility of the research tools in distance education
Write a scientific report
Present a scientific report to the public

General Regulation for the Preparation of Master’s Theses in postgraduate programmes with a six-month duration.

For more information regarding the Specifications – Useful Material for writing Master’s Theses and uploading a Thesis at the H.O.U. Repository, you can go to the Digital Training Area http://courses.eap.gr and especially to the Program of Studies section.

Prerequisites: The presentation of the Diploma Thesis takes place after the successful completion of the program’s Modules.