Helsinki (FI) / Würzburg (DE), May 2007 - A collaborative project on digital study material for mathematics was launched by the Finnish Virtual University (FVU) and the Bavarian Virtual University (Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern, VHB). Representatives of both Universities met during a workshop that was part of the Annual Virtual University Event VVYOP '07 in Dipoli, Finland. They set up the project in order to speed up the development of digital study material for mathematics and to increase the availability of existing material for teachers and students.
Usually, the starting phase is the most difficult part of mathematics studies. Finland and other countries have started to produce digital study material for mathematics in order to bridge the gap between maths education in school and at the college or university. Several presentations of existing digital study material and eLearning projects in mathematics were held during the workshop "Ditigal Study Material and International Collaboration in Mathematics" that took place during the VVYOP '07 event.
Among the attendees were representatives of the FVU mathematics project MatTaFi and Professor Hans-Georg Weigand from the University of Würzburg on behalf of VHB. Participants also discussed future collaboration. The discussions led to a plan for the joint future development project in the field.
The tasks for the planned project include:
In addition, a survey of the subject areas in which materials could be used is planned. This survey will have a specific emphasis on mathematics teaching and the necessary changes resulting from the evolution of IT. The survey results will be used for evaluating and further improving the existing material. Moreover, it will be a basis for setting up guidelines for future development.
The project is based on the cooperative agreement between the FVU and VHB on the exchange of their member universities' online courses and online learning materials.
