Using the ICTs in Distant Teaching: towards the Continuous Network Evaluation

Abstract

We present a project realized in the frame of the networks of educational innovation and financed by the UNED to adapt its process of virtualization to the guidelines of the European Space of Higher Education. The project has been realized in the subject of Optics (annual and obligatory in the Physics qualifications) with the aim to contribute to the progress of the system of on-line continuous evaluation. We studied the influence of: (1) on-line voluntary activities in learning, (2) the voluntary practices of the Optics Virtual Lab in the student’s attitude in the real lab, and (3) the mandatory repetition at home of the half-yearly tests at the university. The most relevant conclusion of this work is that almost the totality of the students who did the proposed activities -both voluntary and obligatory- had successful results. Since the Optics Virtual Lab came into operation, there has been evident improvement in the experimental skills of the students. This has meant a remarkable increase of the student’s lab performance. The project outcome was very positively appreciated by the faculty. Therefore, in the next years more incentives will be proposed to encourage the students’ participation in these activities.