Education and Distance Learning

This e-Book, Literacy and Digital Inclusion: Good Practices in Portugal and Spain, results from a wide range of research on Literacy and Digital Inclusion, in Portugal and Spain, in the scope of ObLID Network.
Professor García Carrasco introduces the issue in his text about school and the role of teachers in the Internet era.
The papers are divided into three main topics over digital inclusion. The first topic is dedicated to publications that carry out a theoretical review and the state of the art of digital inclusion. The second topic presents different models and methodologies of work related to research already developed. The third topic explores good practices related to e-Inclusion, in Portugal and Spain.

Abstract This article describes an activity that was developed in the curriculum unit of Models of Distance Education, as part of the Master program of eLearning Pedagogy, at Universidade Aberta, Portugal. The students were asked to assume the roles of author of a theme and reviewer of another.

Resumo: Este artigo apresenta os resultados de um estudo sobre a perceção dos estudantes de graduação que frequentaram o Módulo de Ambientação Online, previsto no Modelo Pedagógico Virtual® (MPV) da Universidade Aberta (UAb) portuguesa. A nível teórico, evidenciam-se os conceitos de sociedade do conhecimento em rede, cultura digital, literacias digitais e competências digitais, em convergência com as competências instrumentais, de comunicação online, de gestão do tempo e de organização pessoal. A nível empírico, a recolha de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de dois questionários. A análise dos resultados dos questionários e o cruzamento com o referencial teórico sobre literacias digitais funcionais (técnicas/operacionais) e comunicacionais (instrumentais e online), com os objetivos e competências a serem desenvolvidas pelos estudantes durante o módulo evidenciam que o Módulo de Ambientação Online é uma etapa fundamental para o sucesso do estudante da UAb.
Palavras-chave: aprendizagem online, literacia digital, inclusão digital, módulo de ambientação online

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study on the perception of higher education students who attended the Online Familiarization Module, contemplated in the Virtual Pedagogical Model® of the Portuguese Open University (UAb). Concerning the theoretical base, it must be highlighted the concepts of networked knowledge society of the concepts, digital culture, digital literacies and digital skills in convergence with instrumental skills, online communication, time management and personal organization. The data gathering was accomplished through the application of two questionnaires online. The results of the questionnaires and the junction between the theoretical framework of functional digital literacies (technical/operational) and communication (instrumental and online) with the objectives and competencies to be developed by the students during the module, evidence that the Online Familiarization Module is a crucial step for the success of UAb’s students.
Keywords: online learning, digital literacy, digital inclusion, online familiarization module

This article describes an activity that was developed in the curriculum unit of Models of Distance Education, as part of the Master program of eLearning Pedagogy, at Universidade Aberta, Portugal. The students were asked to assume the roles of author of a theme and reviewer of another. Several existing and emerging models and theories relevant to Distance Online Learning were researched and worked on, namely: Blended Learning, Connectivism, Mobile Learning, Personal Learning Environments (PLEs), Virtual Worlds ...