International Pockets of Innovation

Ground-Breaking Practices in Online Learning From Educators

The International Pockets of Innovation series showcases a broad range of examples of best practices in online learning from faculty and instructors in higher education around the world, including Ireland, Norway, France, Iceland, Spain, Italy, US, Israel, Costa Rica, Scotland, England, Sweden and Germany, with more added each month. These descriptions highlight models and resources that can be adapted in many educational settings to improve student success in online, blended, and technology-enhanced learning.

In this growing series, Contact North | Contact Nord features projects with three specific characteristics:

They represent a new approach.
They support students.
The developers are prepared to share their innovations, the challenges they encountered and what they learned with public colleges and universities in Ontario, as well as colleagues around the world.

This international series complements Contact North | Contact Nord’s Pockets of Innovation Series with 135 examples of how innovative educators in Ontario’s public colleges and public universities are using online learning to provide engaging learning experiences for students as well as the Cross Canada series with examples from Canada, outside of Ontario.

Learner Analytics for Students to Encourage Better Results and Retention at the University of Brighton, England

Over the last few years, Dr. Katie Piatt, eLearning Services Manager, and many of her colleagues at the University of Brighton in England, are learning more about the emerging field of learning analytics, with its promises of better understanding, communication and interaction with... Learn more about Learner Analytics for Students to Encourage Better Results and Retention at the University of Brighton, England
Offering Digital Teaching and Learning, Research, Design, and Production at the Media Center at Technical University Dresden, Germany

The Media Center at Technical University Dresden (TU Dresden) in Germany was created about ten years ago by bringing together two units, one of which focused on media research and design and the other on media production including e-learning
Integrating Massive Open Online Research Exercises into MOOCs to Benefit Students and Researchers at the University of Geneva, Switzerland

In 2013, Pablo Achard, Senior Advisor to the Rector at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland, took on responsibility for the development of the University’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) program. The first MOOCs were to act as a showcase, with as many of the topics as possible aligned... Learn more about Integrating Massive Open Online Research Exercises into MOOCs to Benefit Students and Researchers at the University of Geneva, Switzerland
An Online Admissions Program Expands Access to Engineering Degrees at Technical University of Denmark

The Technical University of Denmark (Danmarks Tekniske Universitet / DTU) offers an admissions program for adults wishing to qualify to apply for an engineering degree program. Many of the students in the admission program have backgrounds in vocational education – either through an apprenticeship... Learn more about An Online Admissions Program Expands Access to Engineering Degrees at Technical University of Denmark
Challenge-Based Online Learning to Develop Essential Competencies at the Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

The Open University of Catalonia (UOC) in Barcelona, Spain is an online university with over 54,000 students in more than 100 bachelor, master’s and doctorial programs, in addition to almost 300 diplomas and specialist courses.
Digital by Design: Library Services at the Open University, United Kingdom

The library at the Open University in the United Kingdom is a key component of the services offered to the 170,000 OU students, of whom 75% work full- or part-time. A defining characteristic of the OU is its openness at the undergraduate level to all adults, regardless of ... Learn more about Digital by Design: Library Services at the Open University, United Kingdom
From Idea to Application: Technology Enhanced Learning Design at The Open University, United Kingdom

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Design is part of the Learning and Teaching Innovation Portfolio at The Open University (OU) in the United Kingdom. Gerald Evans, Head of TEL Design, describes its role as: “translation of academic ideas into practical applications of technology enhanced learning... Learn more about From Idea to Application: Technology Enhanced Learning Design at The Open University, United Kingdom
Using ICT to Support Thesis Completion, Highlighting the Example of a Thesis Project to Develop a Tool for Online Language Learning for Immigrants, at Stockholm University, Sweden

For new immigrants to Sweden, familiarity with the language and knowledge of the culture are essential for inclusion, integration, and employment. Professor Henrik Hansson in the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences at Stockholm University in Sweden suggested using online chats between... Learn more about Using ICT to Support Thesis Completion, Highlighting the Example of a Thesis Project to Develop a Tool for Online Language Learning for Immigrants, at Stockholm University, Sweden
Developing Hybrid MOOCs to Serve Diverse Learners at Karlstads University, Sweden

The Service Research Center (CTF) at Karlstads University, Sweden is a multidisciplinary research center focusing on service management and value creation through service and close cooperation with service businesses, manufacturing companies, and public-service providers. Learn more about Developing Hybrid MOOCs to Serve Diverse Learners at Karlstads University, Sweden
Building a Partnership of 13 Colleges and Research Institutes for Higher and Further Education at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland

The University of the Highlands and Islands comprises 13 colleges and research institutions in communities across the north of Scotland, with its Head Offices in Inverness. The University was granted full university status in 2011, with the unique designation as a tertiary institution,... Learn more about Building a Partnership of 13 Colleges and Research Institutes for Higher and Further Education at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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International Pockets of Innovation

Ground-Breaking Practices in Online Learning From Educators

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