About Studies of the Information Technologies in the Moodle Environment

Abstract

At the Aleksandras Stulginskis University, like in many other universities and colleges, using popular virtual environment Moodle, by applying mixed method organization of distance learning. All students of the extended studies, in 2012 entered for the first course of University, studies started by distance manner. The subject of information technologies, most studied in the first year of studies, therefore the mixed method organization of distance learning is positive. One part of the practical classes takes place in the auditorium, and the other part, – students is performed one’s individual works at home and submit them for the lecturers on internet. Face to face students carry out the practical tasks and take subject examination. Coordination of auditorium and distance education allows a gradual develop skills of graduate school study and at the same time increase the efficiency of subject study. The quality of distance learning is highly dependent on the lecturer prepared and applied to study materials, that must be understandable and convenient for the learner, from the communication between the lecturer and student, and the convenience of itself virtual system to the lecturer ant to the student. Students are the most important participants in distance learning, so their opinion about the lecturer’s methodical materials in Moodle environment, assessment of practical sessions face to face, acquired knowledge and usefulness of the subject is particularly important (Fig.)... Advanced technologies are increasingly penetrating to traditional education and studies. One of the most popular forms of studies, which in Lithuania also gaining momentum, – is distance learning. Studying at a distance manner it is possible to obtain secondary and university education, to raise the substantive and professional qualification and lifelong educating and learning for adults. The development of distance learning stimulated perfection of the information and communication technologies, rapidly improving infrastructure and improving the skills of population of using the information and communication technologies. Nowadays, the colleges and graduate schools providing education by distance manner, i.e., is prepared the programs of studies or courses of single subjects, where the number of learners is increasing every year. In addition, the development of distance learning is influenced the migration of population, high employment in the work and the peoples desire to study, adjusting the studies and a direct work at the same time. This form of studies is particularly appropriate for peoples, who so early left unfinished studies and with has the special educational needs, who live away from the big cities or regional centers, with lower income or for older people. Studies by distance manner may be organized in different ways: only in distance manner, when interacting only on internet; mixed method of studies, when part of studies takes place on traditional way, but interacting and on internet; partially by distance manner, when one part of learners study by distance manner, and other – by traditional way in the auditorium.