FeConEFeConENational ReportNational Report

CYPRUSCYPRUSEffectiveness of Effectiveness of

E-Learning E-Learning

September 2006September 2006Eleni NeocleousEleni Neocleous

Computer Science in Computer Science in Secondary EducationSecondary Education

Syllabuses on Computer Science have Syllabuses on Computer Science have been upgraded during the academic been upgraded during the academic year 2005-2006 in order to meet the year 2005-2006 in order to meet the European Standards and current European Standards and current trends.trends.

There are 120 computer labs in There are 120 computer labs in Cypriot Lyceums and 181 labs at the Cypriot Lyceums and 181 labs at the Gymnasiums.Gymnasiums.

Computer Science in Computer Science in Secondary EducationSecondary Education

At the Gymnasiums: Computer Science is At the Gymnasiums: Computer Science is taught for 2 periods per week aiming at taught for 2 periods per week aiming at reaching ECDL standards. Students are reaching ECDL standards. Students are also taught basic issues of algorithms also taught basic issues of algorithms and programming.and programming.

At the Lyceums: Computer Science is At the Lyceums: Computer Science is taught either for 2 periods per week or taught either for 2 periods per week or four hours per week.four hours per week.

In 2006, following an agreement between In 2006, following an agreement between the Ministry of Education and Culture the Ministry of Education and Culture and the CISCO Academy, the course of and the CISCO Academy, the course of CISCO NETS was established in 9 CISCO NETS was established in 9 Lyceums Lyceums

eTWINNING EUROPEAN eTWINNING EUROPEAN ACTIONACTION

etwinning (http:www.etwinning.net) is a etwinning (http:www.etwinning.net) is a framework for schools to collaborate on framework for schools to collaborate on the internet with partner schools in the internet with partner schools in other European countries. It is the main other European countries. It is the main action of the European Union’s action of the European Union’s eLearning Program.eLearning Program.

etwinning promotes school collaboration etwinning promotes school collaboration in Europe through the use of in Europe through the use of Information and Communication Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by providing support, Technologies (ICT) by providing support, tools and services to make it easy for tools and services to make it easy for schools to form short-term or long-term schools to form short-term or long-term partnerships in any subject area.partnerships in any subject area.

eTWINNING EUROPEAN eTWINNING EUROPEAN ACTIONACTION

etwinning is supported by the European etwinning is supported by the European Central Support Service (CSS) and a Central Support Service (CSS) and a network of National Support Services network of National Support Services based in each European country, like the based in each European country, like the Cypriot Support Service (Cypriot Support Service (http://http://www.etwinning.moec.gov.cywww.etwinning.moec.gov.cy).).

In 2006, more than 150 OUT OF HOW In 2006, more than 150 OUT OF HOW MANY educators from Cyprus were MANY educators from Cyprus were registered in the etwinning database. registered in the etwinning database. Among them, more than 50 educators Among them, more than 50 educators have developed a partnership with a have developed a partnership with a European school.European school.

Interesting DataInteresting Data

99% of the Cypriot students are computer 99% of the Cypriot students are computer literate but only 25% of the teachers are literate but only 25% of the teachers are computer literate.computer literate.

Over 95% of Cypriot teachers see Over 95% of Cypriot teachers see

significant learning benefits for pupils significant learning benefits for pupils using computers in class and say that using computers in class and say that pupils are more motivated and attentive pupils are more motivated and attentive when computers and the internet are used when computers and the internet are used in class. With this figure, Cyprus ranks in class. With this figure, Cyprus ranks second in Europe and first at primary second in Europe and first at primary school level school level

Interesting DataInteresting Data

Almost all schools in Cyprus use Almost all schools in Cyprus use computers for teaching and have computers for teaching and have internet access. More specifically internet access. More specifically there are 12.4 computers every there are 12.4 computers every 100 pupils. With the European 100 pupils. With the European average being 11.3 computers average being 11.3 computers every 100 pupils, Cyprus ranks every 100 pupils, Cyprus ranks 11th out of the 25 European 11th out of the 25 European countries.countries.

Interesting DataInteresting Data Number of Computers per 100 Number of Computers per 100

pupils in European schools 2006pupils in European schools 2006

Interesting DataInteresting Data 90% of all schools use computers 90% of all schools use computers

with the highest percentage being with the highest percentage being achieved in primary schools (95%). achieved in primary schools (95%). With a figure of 85% of Information With a figure of 85% of Information and Communications Technology use and Communications Technology use in vocational schools, Cyprus ranks in vocational schools, Cyprus ranks first in Europe. However, only 31% first in Europe. However, only 31% have a broadband connection. With have a broadband connection. With this figure Cyprus ranks twenty-fifth this figure Cyprus ranks twenty-fifth out of the 27 member states leaving out of the 27 member states leaving behind just Poland and Greece.behind just Poland and Greece.

Interesting DataInteresting Data Percent of schools having Percent of schools having

broadband internet access 2006broadband internet access 2006

Interesting DataInteresting Data

The schools with broadband The schools with broadband connection are much more likely to connection are much more likely to have a more sophisticated have a more sophisticated Information and Communications Information and Communications Technology infrastructure including Technology infrastructure including a school website, the use of LAN or a school website, the use of LAN or the availability of an internet. Only the availability of an internet. Only 51% of schools have a website, 49% 51% of schools have a website, 49% offer email to teachers, and only very offer email to teachers, and only very few schools (7%) offer email to pupils few schools (7%) offer email to pupils

Interesting DataInteresting Data Percentage of Schools Using Computers, Percentage of Schools Using Computers,

Internet Connection, and Broadband Internet Connection, and Broadband Internet Access According to School Type Internet Access According to School Type in Cyprusin Cyprus

DISTANCE LEARNINGDISTANCE LEARNING

Distance learning has drastically Distance learning has drastically developed due to the increased developed due to the increased need of people leaving in remote need of people leaving in remote locations, people with locations, people with exceptionally busy schedules exceptionally busy schedules and/or scarce financial resources and/or scarce financial resources to upgrade their academic and/or to upgrade their academic and/or professional knowledgeprofessional knowledge

CYPRUS and DISTANCE CYPRUS and DISTANCE LEARNINGLEARNING

Public Education courses and in general Public Education courses and in general Life Long education are offered in cities Life Long education are offered in cities and the vast majority usually only in the and the vast majority usually only in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. The capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. The centralization of these services makes it centralization of these services makes it impossible for rural residents to access impossible for rural residents to access them. them.

The family-oriented mentality of the The family-oriented mentality of the majority of the population and the fact majority of the population and the fact that most Cypriots choose to get married that most Cypriots choose to get married at a relatively young age do not allow at a relatively young age do not allow much room for Life Long Learning. much room for Life Long Learning.

CYPRUS and DISTANCE CYPRUS and DISTANCE LEARNINGLEARNING

The fact that until recently, especially in the The fact that until recently, especially in the government sector, the notion that employees government sector, the notion that employees need to constantly upgrade their knowledge need to constantly upgrade their knowledge and enhance their qualifications to be able to and enhance their qualifications to be able to maintain their jobs was basically inexistent, maintain their jobs was basically inexistent, offered no incentive for someone to strive for offered no incentive for someone to strive for Life Long Learning. Life Long Learning.

Another important factor, which discouraged Another important factor, which discouraged people from enrolling on Distance Learning people from enrolling on Distance Learning Programmes was the lack of accreditation of Programmes was the lack of accreditation of these programmes by KY.S.A.T.S. (Cyprus these programmes by KY.S.A.T.S. (Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications)Education Qualifications)

CYPRUS and DISTANCE CYPRUS and DISTANCE LEARNINGLEARNING

Due to cultural adaptation, and EU Due to cultural adaptation, and EU influence regarding our policies on our influence regarding our policies on our local accrediting bodies and Ministry of local accrediting bodies and Ministry of Education, over the last 2 years KYSATS Education, over the last 2 years KYSATS has set approval criteria and has has set approval criteria and has established a review body especially for established a review body especially for the accreditation of Distance Learning the accreditation of Distance Learning Programmes.Programmes.

Hence, over the last 2 years there was a Hence, over the last 2 years there was a huge increase in Distance Learning huge increase in Distance Learning Programmes of which the vast majority Programmes of which the vast majority are accredited by KY.S.A.T.S. are accredited by KY.S.A.T.S.

CYPRUS and DISTANCE CYPRUS and DISTANCE LEARNINGLEARNING

Due to increased job competition and Due to increased job competition and influx of new labour (from the EU), influx of new labour (from the EU), people need to constantly upgrade people need to constantly upgrade their academic and professional their academic and professional skills. And in combination with the skills. And in combination with the recent accreditation of many Distance recent accreditation of many Distance Learning Programmes, Cypriots are Learning Programmes, Cypriots are becoming more interested in Distance becoming more interested in Distance Learning Programmes with an Learning Programmes with an exceptionally high pace. exceptionally high pace.

OPEN UNIVERSITY OF OPEN UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUSCYPRUS

The Open University of Cyprus (OUC) was The Open University of Cyprus (OUC) was established in 2003 after the Law N. 234 (I)/ established in 2003 after the Law N. 234 (I)/ 2003 was passed by the House of 2003 was passed by the House of Representatives. Representatives.

Even though the OUC was established in 2003, Even though the OUC was established in 2003, it only offered its first courses in the it only offered its first courses in the Academic Year 2006-2007. For the Academic Academic Year 2006-2007. For the Academic Year 2006-2007 it offered 2 Master Year 2006-2007 it offered 2 Master Programmes and for the Academic Year 2007-Programmes and for the Academic Year 2007-2008 it offers 3 Master Programmes and one 2008 it offers 3 Master Programmes and one Bachelor Programme Bachelor Programme

The OUC offers all its Programmes in Greek The OUC offers all its Programmes in Greek which is a strong advantage for many people which is a strong advantage for many people especially those that come from Greek especially those that come from Greek Universities and the University of Cyprus.Universities and the University of Cyprus.

However, there is still a tendency towards UK However, there is still a tendency towards UK or US postgraduate studies.or US postgraduate studies.

CENTER FOR LIFE LONG CENTER FOR LIFE LONG LEARNING – UNIVERSITY LEARNING – UNIVERSITY

OF NICOSIAOF NICOSIA The Centre for Life Long Learning The Centre for Life Long Learning

(CLLL) of the University of Nicosia was (CLLL) of the University of Nicosia was established in 2003 offering 3 Distance established in 2003 offering 3 Distance Learning Programmes and having just 4 Learning Programmes and having just 4 students enrolled. Over the last 4 years students enrolled. Over the last 4 years the CLLL has established various the CLLL has established various successful collaborative links with successful collaborative links with Universities abroad and it now supports Universities abroad and it now supports a total of 29 Distance Learning a total of 29 Distance Learning Programmes. There are currently 120 Programmes. There are currently 120 enrolled students.enrolled students.

Effectiveness of E-Effectiveness of E-LearningLearning

There is an exceptionally high demand There is an exceptionally high demand for E-Learning. People not only find it for E-Learning. People not only find it less prohibitive but they eager to less prohibitive but they eager to upgrade their knowledge.upgrade their knowledge.

Cyprus need to work towards advancing Cyprus need to work towards advancing the levels of computer literacy.the levels of computer literacy.

As we progress, IT is becoming more As we progress, IT is becoming more prominent in the delivery of Distance prominent in the delivery of Distance Learning Programmes, Academic Learning Programmes, Academic Programmes and Vocational Training Programmes and Vocational Training and student support in general.and student support in general.

Effectiveness of E-Effectiveness of E-LearningLearning

The data we have found has The data we have found has little information on the little information on the effectiveness of e-learning effectiveness of e-learning and Distance Learning and and Distance Learning and hence this provides us with hence this provides us with an opportunity for further an opportunity for further research.research.