E-Learning as an Important Component in “Blended Learning” in School Development Projects in Norway

Abstract

E-learning is an important component in “blended learning” in all of Centre of the Study of Educational Practice `s (SePU) projects and is used for additional education and development of competences. Blended learning is defined as learning facilitated by the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching, styles of learning, and based on transparent communication among all parties involved in development competences. All projects are based on an understanding of learning as a process where you learn by collaborating with others. Collaboration is to be distinguished from cooperation. In cooperation, partners split the work, solve sub-tasks individually, and then assemble the partial results into the final output. In collaboration, partners do the work together. Research indicates schools with good cooperative cultures are most likely to succeed, both during and after the project period. This article will examine how e-learning, as one of many principles from “blended learning,” can contribute to competence development through collaborative learning and present some evaluation results from a project that has been employing the “blended learning” principles.