IMPACT OF DIDATEC PROJECT ON ENGINEERING CURRICULA THAT USE "BLENDED-LEARNING": EXPERIENCE OF THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY "GH ASACHI" OF IASI

Abstract

Authors: Ioan Rusu, Adrian Adascalitei , Irina Lungu, Ioan Giurma, Neculai Eugen Seghedin, Technical University "Gheorghe Asachi" of Iasi Project "University School of initial and continuous training of teachers and trainers in the field of engineering and technical specialties - DidaTec" POSDRU/87/1.3/S/60891 was designed as a national strategic partnership, involving ten technical universities from Romania, coordinated by the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. The project aims to achieve the necessary framework to adapt teaching of engineering and technical education, in an environment marked by the digital revolution, by implementing modern educational tools and ICT technologies in teaching and learning activities performed in technical universities from Romania. The paper analyses the consequences of the Project on engineering curricula. Also the impact of learning ICT technology on both teachers and students from Technical University "Gh. Asachi" of Iași are analyzed. Quality Blended Learning applied to engineering education activities have to improve: engagement of learners; acknowledgement of learning context; challenge for learners; and the involvement of practice. The provision of support mechanisms for students in blended learning settings contributes to the learning experience in a number of ways: enables learners to establish a sense of belonging and involvement, a sense of community, which encourages and motivates participation; Supports can scaffold learning and help students to undertake and complete activities and tasks they might not be able to do on their own; Learning supports in the form of communications and discussions provide opportunities for higher order thinking and conceptual development often not evident in independent learning settings. This paper explores blended learning environments from metaphorical and generational perspectives, suggesting that that the language of higher education reflects metaphors that are evolving for the academy, faculty, and students. Fundamentals of continuous training of teachers were put through: expansion of teaching and learning techniques using support offered by ICT, and the educational platforms of "blended-learning" and / or e-Learning, used as integrated tools for managing teaching. Teachers benefit from using virtual environment, provided by Project: DIDATEC platform. Simultaneously, teachers use Moodle experimental platform of the Technical University. Thus, teachers obtained theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to set up their Blended-Learning BL courses , by integrating interactive teaching and learning techniques and computer-mediated communication.