VISCA Project Virtual learning and Sustainable Development in Central America

1. VISCA is sponsored by DANIDA Centro Internacional de Política Económica Para El Desarrollo Sostenible Aalborg University Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua Universidad Centroamericana Participants: Denmark:Aalborg University - Department of Communication Nicaragua: Universidad CentroamericanaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua Costa Rica:Centro Internacional de Política Económica Para El Desarrollo Sostenible Lone Dirckinck-HolmfeldResearch professorAalborg UniversityDepartment of CommunicationDenmarkE-mail: lone@hum.auc.dk Vera SolisDean Universidad CentroAmericano de NicaraguaNicaraguaE-mail: vsolis@ns.uca.edu.ni Mario R. LopezCentro de InvestigacionesCINET UNAN-MANAGUANicaraguaE-mail: gamso@ibw.com.ni Olman SeguraDirector – ph.d.CINPE-UNACosta RicaE-mail: osegura@una.ac.cr If you have any questions regarding the VISCA project – Please do not hestitate to contact us here at the conference or later. VISCA ProjectVirtual learning and Sustainable Development in Central America : Project summary The VISCA project is defined as long-term research collaboration between the involved universities in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Denmark. The project will use and develop well known and new ICT-tools and learning strategies to facilitate collaboration, teaching and learning within the areas of environment, natural resource management, economy policies, and local development. These fields constitute the content of the project and will be brought into the project by the partners and the SUDESCA project. The aim of the project is to establish the basis for a permanent cooperation and a strong anchorage in the organisations. : The objectives ICT and development of research capacity- Building up the necessary human, organisational and technical capacity- Develop collaborative research and genuine collaboration- Become part of the international research community ICT and development of education and teaching- Development of new teaching and learning methodologies- Making teaching and learning more flexible through ICT- Utilization of ICT in the perspective of lifelong learning ICT and strengthening of the interactivity of the universities- Strengthen the relations to international partners- Facilitating the access to the activities of the universities- Improve learning capabilities in the rural area through life long learning and flexible learning : The project will establish The basis for a permanent cooperation and a strong anchorage in the organisations. The methodological approach is action- and implementation oriented. The main objective is to set up innovative activities and pilot experiments in order to explore possibilities of virtual learning environments. : Research strategy 1 2 3 Recommendations and dissemination of the findings to the international research community, ENRECA projects, sector programmes and other donors and stakeholders in Central America Implementation of tools to enhance communication, collaboration and virtual learning Research on the implementation process, the patterns and quality of communication, collaboration and learning Virtual U is a platform for shared learning and management. The overall purpose is to make it possible for joint participants in different courses and forums to meet and share information. As users of Virtual-U the VISCA participants are expected to draw from cross-cultural insights within the fields of learning, pedagogy and course management. The insights rises for discussions and small written texts made by the participants. For further information – please visit the VISCA website: http://www.hum.auc.dk/visca/ Links to participants websites:Aalborg University: http://www.auc.dkUniversidad Centroamericana: http://www.uca.edu.niCentro Internacional de Política Económica Para El Desarrollo Sostenible: http://www.cinpe.una.ac.crUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua: http://www.campus-oei.org/guiauniv/nic003b.htmE-Learning Lab (Aalborg University): http://www.ell.auc.dk