Virtual attendance: Analysis of an audiovisual over IP system for distance learning in the Spanish Open University (UNED)

Authors

  • Esteban Vázquez Professor. Didactics and School organization Area. Spanish Open University. (UNED)
  • Javier Fombona University of Oviedo.
  • Alberto Fernández University of Oviedo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v14i3.1430

Keywords:

Virtual attendance, Distance Education, ICT, Video tutoring, Blended learning.

Abstract

This article analyzes a system of virtual attendance, called “AVIP” (AudioVisual over Internet Protocol), at the Spanish Open University (UNED) in Spain. UNED, the largest open university in Europe, is the pioneer in distance education in Spain. It currently has more than 300,000 students, 1,300 teachers, and 6,000 tutors all over the world, besides Spain. This university is redefining, on the lines of other universities, many of its academic processes to meet the new requirements of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Since its inception, more than 30 years ago, the methodology chosen by UNED has been blended learning. Today, this university combines face-to-face tutorial sessions with new methodological proposals, mediated by ICT. Through a quantitative methodology, the perception of students and tutors of the new model of virtual tutoring, called AVIP Classrooms, was analyzed. The results show that the new model greatly improves the orientation and teaching methodology of tutors. However, it requires training and new approaches to provide a more collaborative and participatory environment for students.

Author Biographies

Esteban Vázquez, Professor. Didactics and School organization Area. Spanish Open University. (UNED)

Esteban Vázquez has taught in different schools in Spain and the United States where he is Bilingual Teacher Accredited by the state of Illinois. Member of various schools management teams, Inspector of Education and he is currently Assistant Professor at the Department of Teaching, School Organization and Special Didactics of the Spanish National University of Distance Education.

Javier Fombona, University of Oviedo.

Didactics and School organization Area.

Alberto Fernández, University of Oviedo

Didactics Department

Published

2013-07-05

How to Cite

Vázquez, E., Fombona, J., & Fernández, A. (2013). Virtual attendance: Analysis of an audiovisual over IP system for distance learning in the Spanish Open University (UNED). The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 14(3), 402–426. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v14i3.1430

Issue

Section

Research Articles