Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences offers virtual studies using different online systems to provide educational opportunities for students in remote areas of Finland. Currently around 200 students are enrolled in virtual studies programs, mainly in fields like forestry, engineering, and tourism. The university supports these virtual studies through systems like iLinc for real-time online classes and Discendum Optima for asynchronous learning. A team of 3 support staff provides both pedagogical and technical assistance to students and teachers for these virtual studies programs. The university also aims to increase flexible virtual student mobility between universities through partnerships.

1. VirtualStudiesat Rovaniemi University of Applied SciencesRovaniemi University of Applied SciencesKristiina AnttilaCoordinator of VirtualStudiesNovember 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila1

2. Table of ContentsVirtualstudies at RAMKSupportedsystemsVirtualStudiesSupport Services at RAMKStudentmobility (virtual)November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila2

3. BasisVirtualstudies = network-basedstudiesA mixture of differentsystems and methodsLong distances, isolationfrom big cities in Finland, economicalsituation, lifelonglearning have to find new ways to offerstuidyingpossibilities for studentsA strategicdecisionNovember 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila3

4. CurrentstateVirtualstudiesoffered and developedespecially for adulteducationprogrammes (since 2008)At the momentvolyme is constantlygrowing (5-8 new groups/year)About 200 students at the moment ”online”, estimatewithintwoyearsapproximately 400 November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila4

5. SupportedsystemsiLinc(realtimesystem) DiscendumOptima (asynchronoussystem)Others, likeblogs, wikis etc.November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila5

6. iLincusageApprox. 10 online-sessions per eveningMostactivegroups: Forestry, Engineering, Landsurveying, Tourism, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Business Economics; some groups from School of Health Care and Social ServicesiLinc-users at the moment: 3502November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila6

7. iLincusageNovember 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila7

8. OptimausageLicenses 7950, users 4743no significantchanges in twoyears2024 workspacesWorkspaces per uservarybetween 1 to 50November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila8

9. SupportservicesSupportpersonnel; 3 personsMon to Fri from 8-21 and on Satfrom 8-16 Both, pedagogical and technicalsupportPart of teaching – studying – learning –process planning, usertraining, supportduringcourses and support for evaluation and developmentSupportnetworkbetween LUC (LaplandUniversityConsortium)November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila9

10. November 24th, 2010 - Kristiina Anttila10- System and usermanagement- User supervisionTestsessions with studentsLoginadministration- User supervisionSupervision and tutoringSupportservices- Analyzingwritten feedbackDiscussions with teachers

11. Projects

12. Developing know-howSupport for teachers and studentsduring the sessionsBookings- Duty and guidanceAdministration