An E-learning platform for OpenMI
The OpenMI Association has recognized that to make integrated modeling more accessible to end users, it must be embedded into post graduate training. The challenge is how best to create material that can be updated as technology advances and to deliver it to a dispersed world wide body of teachers and students. To address these challenges the OpenMI-Life project is funding the development of an e-learning platform that universities will be free to adopt. This not only provides the material for conventional teaching but also provides an environment for students to work with and learn from each other and their tutors. It also enables tutors to monitor progress both formally and informally and to receive feedback.
» Go to OpenMI E-learning platform
This task is led by the National Technical University of Athens, and consists of:
- The organisation of a Virtual Network of Higher Education Institutions for Integrated Modelling facilitated by OpenMI
- The development of an e-learning platform for the delivery of courses
-
The development of educational material for:
• An introduction to the OpenMI
› For Users
› For Developers
• Subject-specific courses on integrated modeling. It is envisaged that these courses will focus on the interfaces between scientific domains and disciplines.
The first courses on the OpenMI will be added by members of the OpenMI Association supported by the OpenMI-Life project, while the subject specific courses will be added, over the longer term, by members of the Virtual Network of HE Institutions which will be open to anyone.
The software solution adopted to create the platform is a combination of Moodle (a state of the art open source e-learning platform), Drupal (with its advanced community management capabilities and ability to manage audio-visual material) and Elgg (the most active and emerging open source, social networking platform).
The courses will include teaching material (lectures, videos and pod casts), activities (e.g. hands-on exercises with simplified models and data), as well as facilities for evaluating the extent to which the trainee/student has reached the learning objectives, primarily through self-assessment quizzes. The courses will be delivered in either synchronous or asynchronous mode and will follow a flexible "anytime-anyplace" concept of learning. It is expected that over the longer term additional functionality will also be added, including online simulation environments, OpenMI enabled linking platforms and closer integration with other learning initiatives and online material (incl. the CUAHSI cyber seminars).
The overall concept of the e-learning platform and course was presented in the OpenMI LIFE Workshop in Volos.
For more information on this initiative, please contact Dr Christos Makropoulos, NTUA.
The OpenMI Association website is supported by the European Commission under the 