The Office of e-Learning (hereinafter the Office) was established as the operating body of the E-Learning Committee within the School’s Secretariat. The main objective of the Office is to create conditions for the widespread use of e-learning in teaching processes and to organise and coordinate activities related to the development of e-learning at the UZSM. The Office assumes responsibility for the implementation of strategic action plans in the development of e-learning at the School, previously adopted by the E-Learning Committee, and for the integration of e-learning into teaching processes.
Within the framework of the School, the Office maintains and manages the operation of four learning management systems (LMS): MEF-LMS for integrated undergraduate and graduate studies in medicine in Croatian, MSE-LMS for medical studies in English, PDS-LMS for postgraduate courses, and DSS-LMS for graduate studies in nursing.
The Office plays a key role in providing direct support to teachers and students in the creation of e-materials, the implementation of education of teaching staff on the development, processing, and installation of specific e-materials, and is working on increasing teachers' pedagogical competencies. At the same time, the Office encourages the optimal use of shared resources for the purpose of e-learning.
The Office, by function, includes LMS course coordinators. They are further educated by the Office on the application of e-learning in the teaching process and working within the LMS. At the level of each department and division, at least one LMS coordinator per course is appointed (teams are formed where possible), who is responsible for the maintenance and functioning of the LMS course. The coordinators support their colleagues in setting up e-content and operate within the LMS course, at the same time recording any issues they encounter in implementing e-learning, and forwarding them to the Office of e-Learning.
The Office also maintains a Helpdesk, through which teachers and students receive information, suggestions, and advice on how to solve issues they encounter within the LMS. Within the framework of its tasks, the Office cooperates with the IT Department, the Centre for Improvement of Teaching Competencies, and maintains active cooperation with the University E-learning Centre at the University Computing Centre (SRCE).
Activities of the Office:
- The operating body in the work of the E-Learning Committee: It is concerned about the implementation of the conclusions of the E-Learning Committee regarding the strategic action plans and implementation of e-learning at the School. This includes, among other things, the choice of appropriate tools, technologies, and resources to support educational objectives.
- Organisation and coordination of activities: It organizes and coordinates activities on the promotion and implementation of e-learning at the School. The Office organizes stands, round tables, and panel discussions on the importance of e-learning and innovative approaches in teaching.
- Management of the LMS system and data: It is responsible for the smooth functioning of four LMS systems at the School. Manages the LMS through the maintenance and improvement of programs for the automated administration of users and the setting up of new courses, the automated registration of students in their courses according to ISVU system, the monitoring of students' activities, and the collection and analysis of data about the work of students and teachers within the LMS.
- Staff training and development: It encourages and enables teaching and non-teaching staff to obtain basic and/or advanced IT training necessary for effective work within the LMS.
- Support for teachers: It organises various workshops/courses to improve the digital and appropriate pedagogical competences of teachers in order to enable them to effectively use e-learning technologies and implement best practices in the field of e-learning application.
- Student support: It provides continued support to students. This includes providing technical support, responding to e-learning enquiries, and providing support regarding course materials. It provides students with space (course) on the LMS for student activities (student choir, societies). It educates students to use individual activities within the LMS such as polls, video production, communication via the BBB system.
- Coordination of coordinators: The Office further educates the LMS coordinators and supports the work of the LMS course coordinators, who take care of the maintenance and functioning of the courses within the LMS, assist colleagues and encourage them to apply innovative pedagogical methods appropriate to the development of digital technologies.
- Quality assurance: In cooperation with the E-Learning Centre at SRCE, the Office sets quality standards for teaching e-materials adapted to the online environment. It produces instructions and video tutorials on the appearance of teaching materials and teaching methods.
- E-material repository: In cooperation with CML, it sets criteria and procedures for the e-material repository and encourages the sharing and re-use of e-materials between the School units.
- E-learning research: It encourages and supports scientific research in the field of the application of e-learning and innovative forms of teaching. In addition, it conducts research to analyse the success of accepting, implementing, and purposeful use of e-learning at the School and encourages research in the pedagogical approach to teaching adapted to the progress in modern digital technologies.
Head of the Office of e-Learning: Mirza Žižak (mirza.zizak@mef.hr)
Associates:
Dora Brauneger (dora.brauneger@mef.hr)
Office of e-Learning: ured.e-ucenje@mef.hr
LMS Helpdesk: lms.helpdesk@mef.hr