Introduction to VISCEDProject background, rationale,

partnerships and main activities

Paul BacsichProject Manager

Sero Consulting (Coordinator)

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VISCED project background

• Virtual universities are a well known concept and prevalent in Europe (Re.ViCa – LLP)

• Virtual schools are known in US but a little- known concept or institutional type in Europe

• Virtual colleges (post-secondary non-tertiary) are known but not well known in Europe

• Thus, we proposed to study virtual schools – and virtual colleges – for relevance to Europe

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VISCED project aim

• Make an inventory and carry out a transnational appraisal of virtual schools and colleges (including blended provision)

• Focus on students age 14-21

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VISCED partners

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VISCED outputs

• Handbook (2 volumes):• http://www.virtualschoolsandcolleges.info/outcome/handb

ook

• VISCED web site with links to Newsletter, and to Colloquium videos and data:• http://www.virtualschoolsandcolleges.info

• VISCED wiki of country reports etc:• http://www.virtualschoolsandcolleges.eu

• VISCED Outcomes (including Deliverables):• http://www.virtualschoolsandcolleges.info/project/outcome

s

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virtual school?

• An institution that teaches courses entirely or primarily through distance online methods

• With courses which are similar (in purpose and outcome) to those normally taken by school-age children: ISCED 2 and 3– lower/upper secondary – junior/senior high

• Our age focus (in funding terms) is 14-21

VISCEDMain recommendations

for policy-makersPaul Bacsich

Project ManagerSero Consulting (Coordinator)

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Policy and Legislative Landscape

• Removal of barriers The Commission should remove any unnecessary bureaucratic impediments which inhibit the development and sustainability of virtual schools and colleges.

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Supporting Education/Social Policies

• Raising AwarenessThe Commission and individual governments should raise awareness as to the value and impact of virtual schooling in meeting education and social policies in general;and in particular of the potential of virtual schooling in helping students maintain timely progression through the curriculum and in supporting students who require additional revision, acceleration or have special educational needs.• Early Leaving and STEMThe Commission and individual governments should encourage virtual schooling options in traditional schools and colleges as a strategy for reducing early leaving; and as a means of increasing the uptake of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects).

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Value for Money

• TeachersThe Commission and individual governments should support schools and support teachers to develop the skills essential for the delivery of high-quality virtual schooling.• Wider IssuesThe Commission and individual governments should encourage and advise schools and colleges to exploit Open Educational Resources (OERs).

and should exploit the potential for virtual schooling to drive internet take-up, promote the information society, e-government services and improve ICT skills of students/parents.

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More information

• The project partners will follow up any unanswered questions or emerging issues on a 1:1 basis in the days after the webinar

• Research Reports on Teacher Training, Critical Success Factors and Innovative Good Practice will be ready this month

• Project website: www.virtualschoolsandcolleges.info with links to Colloquium, Handbook, wiki (others can edit!), deliverables etc

• Twitter feed also – and note the hashtag #visced