Extension of the SEVAQ questionnaires

The original SEVAQ questionnaires, are being revised, extended and improved under the current SEVAQ+ project. Not only will the questionnaires be available in 3 new languages (DE, IT, PL in addition to the existing version in EN, FR, LI, NL, NO, PO and ES), but new target groups are also being taken into consideration, to increase the usefulness and efficiency of the tool within both Higher Education (HE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET). The existing stakeholder groups are being refined to better serve the special needs and interests of training staff, business and training managers, ICT providers and academic evaluation bodies. The extended SEVAQ+ tool and approach are centred around an overall quality evaluation, while benchmarking is an additional option that the project aims to support. The results will be ready for pilot testing by the beginning of June.

Meet us face to face in June in Valencia

On Friday June 11^th 2010 the SEVAQ+ project will deliver a workshop within the framework of the EDEN 2010 Annual Conference. In this workshop we will provide participants with the theoretical background necessary in order to design sound self-evaluation questionnaires and exploit the results.

The workshop is designed to be a truly active, hands-on session where small groups will be able to design their own questionnaires according to their own context and chosen target groups. From questionnaire designers, the participants will then switch to become respondents, in order to get the full experience of the tool and approach from different angles. Workshop moderators will actively support the group work throughout and foster discussion and feedback.

By participating in this workshop, EDEN conference delegates will have the chance to contribute to the European-wide user evaluation of SEVAQ+ and to join the quality in technology-enhanced learning community which is growing around this field of interest. Priority access to updated, extended versions of the SEVAQ+ tool and the opportunity to participate in future SEVAQ+ events and publications are other added benefits.

SEVAQ+ Stakeholder Reception

Prior to the SEVAQ+ workshop, at lunchtime on the 11th of June, an exclusive stakeholder gathering will be organised at the EDEN 2010 Annual Conference venue. Selected represen-tatives of key organisations and institutions have already been invited and confirmed their interest, but a few places are still available for those interested colleagues who would like to attend this event, during which the hosts will provide the opportunity to discuss and learn more about the key topic of quality in technology-enhanced learning in a pleasant informal setting.

The participants at this reception will not only gain valuable insight into the project’s approach (even before the workshop held the same afternoon), but will also have the privilege of being the first to learn about the European-wide survey on the new extended SEVAQ+ tool, which will be officially launched in Valencia. There will, of course, be plenty of time for informal discussion and exchange around the issue of self-evaluation as a means to evaluate quality in online and blended learning, in both Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training.

Call for testers

Even if you are not able to attend the face to face event(s) in Valencia, but are interested in exploring the SEVAQ+ services and the improved tool itself, please note that the consortium is now also recruiting online testers for the first evaluation cycle. For further information, visit the SEVAQ+ wiki or contact Deborah Arnold.

Highlighted recommendation

SEVAQ+ is exploring synergies with the Lifelong Learning project HEXTLEARN (Higher Education exploring ICT use for Lifelong Learning), which is a 3 year-long Lifelong Learning Programme co-funded project, just starting its last 6 months of activities. HEXTLEARN is aimed at contributing to the deployment of Lifelong Learning strategies through ICT within Higher Education Institutions, by means of peer review methodologies, by offering a database of good practices and other useful materials, by organising seminars and devoted events, by promoting sharing and common understanding amongst the members. The project also focuses on the quality assurance aspects and on the integration of ICT as innovation key for the Higher Education Institutions. The Network has already built its own extensive professional online network with nearly 400 registered members, and is being represented on Facebook as well. We highly recommend you to check these fora and participate in the online activities that SEVAQ+ core partners are also involved with.

Meet the person behind the username

The SEVAQ+ consortium has a very strong intention to remain in every user’s eyes a group of dedicated flesh and blood individuals. In every newsletter, a core partner will introduce themselves and their research interest as well as their tasks within the project. This first time, please meet Lorenza Leita, our friend and colleague from the Politecnico di Milano – Centro METID.

Graduated in Electronic Engineering with the specialisation in Information and Management Systems, Lorenza Leita has worked in Politecnico di Milano since 1998 as a researcher, project manager and methodological consultant in innovative learning process supported by technology (e-learning and blended courses). Responsible for years of international projects within European Funded Programmes, she has led research and pilot projects on e-learning and know-how systems. She collaborates with ASFOR (Associazione Italiana per la Formazione Manageriale) within which she takes part in the studies about Corporate Learning and she is an official evaluator for online masters accreditations. 

She now coordinates the Italian team for SEVAQ+ project and leads the project workpackage concerning the extension of the self-evaluation tool.

Keep in touch and help to extend the network

If you wish to suggest the SEVAQ+ newsletters to your colleagues, encourage them to subscribe directly by filling in the online registration form. To unsubscribe (password given at the point of registration will be required), just click here.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.