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Microsoft junta-se ao Projeto ECO Project atraves da UNED

Microsoft joins ECO project through UNED

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27.11.2015 – Microsoft has become contributing member and ambassador for ECO Project: collaboration will be mainly focused on dissemination tasks, while OpenMOOC-supported courses will be hosted on Microsoft Azure cloud computing solution.

Microsoft is the new associate partner at ECO Project, thanks to a Framework Agreement signed in Madrid on 25th of November, with Spain’s National University of Distance Education (UNED).

The agreement, signed by UNED’s rector Alejandro Tiana and Microsoft Ibérica’s President, Pilar López, reflects both institutions’ commitment to promote the implementation of cutting-edge technologies on teaching contexts. The venture aims to encourage open, online and massive education, while setting up an innovative educational environment meant to become an international reference on Information and Communication Technologies.

Signing agreement between Microsoft and UNED for ECO Project

Signing agreement between Microsoft and UNED for ECO Project

In the photo, back row: Alejandro Silva (University of Zaragoza, ECO Learning Project), Ángela Benavides (UNED, ECO Learning Project), Patricia Ventura (UNED, ECO Learning Project), María Dolores Castrillo (UNED, ECO Learning Project), Elena Martín Monje (UNED, ECO Learning), Gonzalo Díe (Director Sector Publico, Microsoft Ibérica), María García Alonso (vice chancellor Continous Learning Programs, UNED), Sara Osuna (Coordinator ECO Learning Project,UNED), Javier Viñulaes (Geographica, Manager Technical Workgroup WP3, ECO Learning Project), Vicente Montiel (Tabarca Consulting, Manager Buiness Development Workgroup WP6, ECO Learning Project), Víctor Tienda (BIC Euronova, Project ECO Learning), Oscar Sanz (VP of Education, Microsoft Ibérica). Sitting at the table: Pilar López Álvarez (President of Microsoft Ibérica), Alejandro Tiana Ferrer (Lord Rector of the UNED).

As associate partner at ECO Project, Microsoft will contribute with its wide experience and knowledge on digital communication in order to help disseminating the Project’s activities and results. The agreement focuses on promoting the use of MOOCs among the European academic community through Microsoft’s subsidiaries throughout the continent. Microsoft will also play an active role designing and developing such courses, mainly addressed to educators and focusing on didactic applications of MS technologies.

Planned collaboration actions include the migration of UNED’s open code platform OpenMOOC to Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud computing solution. It will be the largest migration carried out by Microsoft in Europe’s education context to the moment, and shows the company’s support to open code and its will to contribute to the sector’s digital transformation.

In addition, ECO Project’s 4.000 expected e-teachers will be offered the use of Office 365 service.

black tie on Flag of France

Declaration of solidarity with Paris after terrorist attacks on November 2015

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Events as the ones last night on November 13th not only are an attack on a nation, but also an attack on humanity. Our proyect ECO cannot stand impassive against these acts. Our educative and communicative model is based on the pillar of democracy, interculturally aligned with basic human rights which dismiss

  • Both imposition and intolerance
  • Both agression and violence
  • Both martyrdom and submission

For this and even more so now we believe in what we are developing within ECO. We believe in education as a axis of human evolvement. We believe in democracy and participation. We believe in plurality and liberty.

We will continue to work in resisting and condemning terrorists´ attacks and stand in solidarity with all of our ECO partners, teachers and students and with the people of France.

Signed: All partners of the ECO project

people ecolearning

What is happening with MOOCs in Europe?

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What are MOOCs? What is happening in the world of digital online education? Which online courses are good for me? Why should consider designing my own MOOC?

What is the MOOC development?
The developments in the field of Massive Open, online Courses (MOOCs) are moving very rapidly and the options these format offers teachers are very relevant. MOOCs by their sheer online and open nature, are accesible anywhere and by anyone. For you as a teachers they offer the opportunity to teach participants far beyond the classroom and reaching out to participants that would otherwise never be able to enjoy neither the contents of the material, nor your methodology.

Breaking barriers
MOOCs allow you to break the barrier of time, place, age, gender and social class. Educators and managers in the field of e-learning all over the world are extensively discussing the framdwork for the full potential of MOOC-teaching to grow into a reality. If you would like understand what the MOOC-movement iss about, how it can positevely impact your teaching career or be actively part of it, attend one of the MOOC conferences or ask your management board to represent your teaching institute.

MOOC Conference Agenda 2015

15-18 September Toldeo, ES ECTEL, tenth European Conference on technology enhanced learning,Design for Teaching and Learning in a networked World. www.ec-tel.eu
14-16 October Sun City, SA ICDE; Growing capacities for sustainable distance e-learningprovision. www.unisa.ac.za/icde2015/
29-30 October Hagen,DE EADTU, Technology-based teaching and learning lead to the transformation of higher education. conference.eadtu.eu/
19-21 November London, UK EQAF, 10th European Quality Assurance Forum
Taking stock and looking forward.
www.eua.be/events/upcoming/EQAF-2015
2-4 December Berlin, DE Oeb, shaping the future of Learning. www.online-educa.com/