Leicester University is one of the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom and the largest provider of Distance Learning education outside of the Open University. It is also the only UK university in this top group to have won a Times Higher Education award for the past 5 years in a row. In 2009 it won the title of “University of the Year”. It is also the foremost university teaching PBL (Problem Based Learning) through its B.Sc./M.Sc. in Interdisciplinary Science. Dr David Harper invented and initially directed the only part-time undergraduate certificate in Ecology in Leicester, still run by the Institute of Life Long Learning. He invented and developed two learning modules for the B.Sc. in Science, one in Ecology and one in Sustainability.
(The role of the organisation in the project. )
We will utilise the university's experience in Problem Based Learning and Distance Learning, and in environmental sustainability and in particular, the skills of Dr David Harper, to develop a highly-adaptable, modular, interactive online distance and blended learning course on sustainable ecology to be taught in English. We will also create a sustainable Virtual Field Course element within the modules. We will collaborate with the Israeli and EU partners in developing the English language aspects of the course which will be offered in a variety of modular options in order to suit the differing requirements of the partner institutions. We will participate in consortium meetings and contribute to the dissemination and sustainability of the project as a whole.
