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Distance Learning as an Alternative Method of Teaching European Studies

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Teaching and Learning the European Union

Part of the book series: Innovation and Change in Professional Education ((ICPE,volume 9))

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Abstract

The specificities of the field of European Studies (ES) and the challenges that it is facing within the processes of European integration and globalisation call for an amalgam of materials and teaching methods serving the growing diversification in theoretical and analytical approaches. This chapter examines to what extent distance learning (DL), as an innovative teaching tool, tackles the needs of the ES field. The study investigates the pedagogically sound techniques of online learning by focusing on the blended DL through the case study of a master course on ‘EU-Turkey relations’ carried out at Maastricht University in 2009. Based on the analysis of the advantages and limitations of DL, the chapter argues DL is a suitable tool for teaching ES because it is able to incorporate a variety of theoretical frameworks, practical experiences, and models of teaching. It provides space for innovation in learning and makes the learning process more accessible as well as provides a framework for interuniversity cooperation and exchange of best practices. The study provides some practical guidelines to consider when using DL for teaching ES following the lessons learnt from the case study analysis.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Outside the university confines.

  2. 2.

    Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

  3. 3.

    See for a more in-depth analysis Maurer and Neuhold (2014), Chap. 12 in this volume.

  4. 4.

    As opposed to the traditional 2-h classroom time frame of the PBL session, including both pre- and post-discussion.

  5. 5.

    A total number of 7 out of 16 students participated in the evaluation process. The evaluation was designed and conducted by Sjoerd Stoffels, ICT and education coordinator.

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Acknowledgement

The author would like to express a special thanks to Sjoerd Stoffels (ICT and education coordinator of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University) for his support in designing and implementing the analysed Distance Learning Course and the information provided for writing this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Natalia Timuş

Authors
  1. Natalia Timuş
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Correspondence to Natalia Timuş .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics, Free University of Bolzano, Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy

    Stefania Baroncelli

  2. School of Economics, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy

    Roberto Farneti

  3. Faculty of History, Geography and Intern, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania

    Ioan Horga

  4. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Sophie Vanhoonacker

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Timuş, N. (2014). Distance Learning as an Alternative Method of Teaching European Studies. In: Baroncelli, S., Farneti, R., Horga, I., Vanhoonacker, S. (eds) Teaching and Learning the European Union. Innovation and Change in Professional Education, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7043-0_11

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