Blended Learning and Innovation in the Education of Electronics<Subtitle>The case study of the Riga Technical University

Abstract

Latvia has a long-lasting tradition in education of Radio Engineers (now called Electronics Engineers). The Riga Technical University is the main institution providing education in electronics and related fields in the country. The e-learning portal ORTUS, based on Moodle, has been introduced at the Riga Technical University 10 years ago. It is used in all study programs since then thus facilitating wide introduction of blended learning. A short historical review on the developments in Electronics Engineering education at the Riga Technical University, legislation background of the academic and professional higher education in Latvia is presented. There will be also review of innovation introduced in the education methodology and technology via several local and international projects. The professional MSc program in Electronics Engineering containing the internship and the master thesis with a design project has been introduced since 2010. © 2017 IEEE.

Keywords

Author Keywords

blended learning Innovation electronics engineering education Riga Technical University

Index Keywords

E-learning Engineering education higher education Blended learning Technical universities International projects Electronics engineering Design projects E-learning portals Education methodology Historical review

Author Affiliations

Department of Radio Systems, Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia

Funding & Acknowledgements

European Social Fund, ESF

Funding text 1: In the framework of the project “E-learning platform development for engineering study programs at the Riga Technical University” were developed e-learning resources for 15 engineering courses. E-learning course development has been planned also in several other projects supported by the European Social Fund. In mathematics, physics and some other courses e-learning resources were developed even before these projects. As a result, in some study programs availability of e-learning resources reached 50-70% in 2008.; Funding text 2: III. E-LEARNING AND BLENDED LEARNING AT THE RIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY Modern distance learning and e-learning was introduced in Latvia some 20 years ago. E-learning development in Latvia was supported by the Program „PHARE Multi-Country Program in Distance Education” and the Distance Education Study Centre at the Riga Technical University was established in 1997. It created conditions for joining RTU in several EU projects related to development of e-learning courses and obtaining expertise in methodology and technology of distance and e-learning course development.

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Blended Learning and Innovation in the Education of Electronics<Subtitle>The case study of the Riga Technical University

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