E-learning pilot project in Transportation Engineering Studies

In this paper, an e-learning pilot project at the Széchenyi István University will be introduced. This experiment may be the first one in graduate distant learning education, in Hungary. Management of the University has realized that because of the lack of human resources and capacity while too many applicants traditional distant learning methods can not cope with today’s requirements. Our Goal is the gradual introduction of e-learning technology into the traditional part-time learning: • Develop e-learning material (by authoring systems) • Provide students with a Content Delivery System (via internet/intranet) • Run a Learning Management System. First, we were thinking about designing and implementing a self-made e-learning framework, but we have realized that the system to be introduced must be: • professional, developed by reputed SW companies • widely implemented with good references • continuously evolving and updated • strong in direct support in details, too • integrated with existing “study-management” software-system e.g. “NEPTUN” Based upon a Feasibility Study including a detailed analysis of market demands and training specifications, Transportation Engineering Studies has been chosen for the first implementation of our e-learning solution. This education area has great tradition in educating transportation engineers and the University has excellent knowledge and experience in organizing the teaching process. Relying on our robust and powerful campus computer network infrastructure, the proper IT conditions for the web-based e-learning solution have been elaborated. For those students who lack the necessary computer and internet resources, ‘de-centers’ with ICT facilities are installed and organized country-wide. The paper gives an account on a pilot project developed at the Széchenyi István University for the examination of the e-learning model, gaining experiences in organizing, managing, controlling and evaluating CDS and LMS components and practicing in interaction and ecommunication with the participants. The pilot project and the investments of the elearning solution have been sponsored by the Universitas-Győr Kht.