MARE e-learning training sessions at Estonia University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, e-learning platforms have emerged as a transformative force, offering dynamic opportunities for knowledge dissemination and interactive learning experiences. To delve into the world of e-learning technologies, a delegation from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) led by Prof. Ir. Dr. Shaharin bin Sulaiman together with Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Zainal Arif bin Burhanudin and Ts. Dr. Siti Nur Fathiyah bt Jamaludin had attended a MARE e-learning training sessions organized by
Estonia University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia from 8th -11th August 2023. This journey aimed to foster international collaboration, exchange knowledge, and learn from Estonian experts, particularly focusing on Moodle platform using tools from Lumi Education to create H5P contents and ChatGPT to prepare assessments.
Estonia University of Life Sciences (EMU), located in the picturesque city of Tartu, is renowned for its excellence in education and cutting-edge research in various fields. Our delegation together with delegation from partner universities from Malaysia and Vietnam, were warmly welcomed by the Dr. Aret Vooremäe, the Director at Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, EMU.
Figure 1: All participants with Dr. Aret Vooremäe, the Director at Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, EMU.
The trip had a well-structured agenda designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of e-learning platforms and their applications in the educational sector.
Day 1: Briefing and Participation in the ENGAGE! Summer School Program
-
Overview of the ENGAGE! Summer School Program.
-
Seminars on (1) Engaging Science: Objective, Purpose and Better Life Framework, and (2) Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development.
-
Group dinner with participants from MARE and ENGAGE!
Day 2: Introduction to Estonia University of Life Sciences's e-Learning Landscape
-
Overview of Estonia University of Life Sciences.
-
Laboratories visits such as Plant Biochemistry, Bio-and Environmental Chemistry and Soil Science.
-
Hands-on workshop on Moodle: Participants learned to create and manage online courses, assignments, and quizzes.
Figure 2: The participants from Malaysia and Vietnam with Mr. Veljo Kabin, an IT expert from EMU.
Day 3: Practical Workshops
-
Lumi in Action: A practical session on using Lumi Education for H5P content creation, i.e., video editing to create active and engaging content.
-
Exploring ChatGPT: Understanding the potential of AI-driven chatbots in preparing assessment in online learning.
-
Tips and Tricks: Exploring various digital tools that can be used in teaching and learning.
Figure 3: The situation in the training room. Participants are tasked with hands-on activities.
Day 4: Excursion to Setomaa
-
Excursion to Setomaa introduces participants to Setomaa region, a border area between Western and Eastern culture and religion. Participant also meet the Setos, the native in the region with its own characteristic way of life and culture.
-
The excursion was organized by EMU for all participants of the e-learning (Erasmus+ MARE) and participants from another project (Erasmus+ ENGAGE). This excursion allows networking among two different Erasmus+ projects from various countries.
Figure 4: Some of the participants who joined the trip to Setomaa, including Dr. Siti Nur Fathiyah from UTP (most left) with the native Seto lady (four from left-front row).
Figure 5: Always #UTPinME everywhere, anywhere! This picture was taken in the Farmhouse Museum in Varska, Setomaa, Estonia.
Key Takeaways:
-
Moodle Mastery: The delegation gained in-depth knowledge of Moodle, a versatile and widely used e-learning platform. This experience will enable our institution to enhance its online course offerings and improve the MARE project dissemination.
-
Interactive Content: The practical session on Lumi Education highlighted the advantages of interactive online content. This will contribute to improving the dissemination of knowledge and attaining the learning outcomes.
-
AI in Education: The introduction to ChatGPT showcased the potential of AI-driven chatbots in preparing questions for learning and education. Its capability in addressing queries and providing personalized assistance has the potential to revolutionize education in general.
-
International Collaboration: The trip fostered relationships with experts in Estonia and partner universities, opening doors for future potential collaborations in research, curriculum development, and teacher training.
The trip to Estonia University of Life Sciences was a remarkable journey into the world of e-learning platforms, providing our delegation with invaluable insights and practical skills. This experience will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of e-learning at UTP, enhancing the dissemination of Erasmus+ MARE project work, and alleviating the quality of education for our UTP students. We look forward to implementing the knowledge gained and building lasting partnerships with our Estonian counterparts and partner universities. A dissemination event of this e-learning training will be conducted under International Community of Practice (CoP) organized by CETaL, UTP on 30th August 2023 at 3.30pm (GMT+8) which will feature collaboration between UTP,
UniKL and Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE), Vietnam. Everyone is invited to join this sharing session through this link
https://bit.ly/3spUspt.
