Learning Toxicology through Open Educational Resources Erasmus Project

Project Title

Learning Toxicology through Open Educational Resources

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Open and distance learning; Quality and Relevance of Higher Education in Partner Countries; Access for disadvantaged

Project Summary

In “Bucharest Communication”, 2012, as part of the consolidation process of the European Higher Education Area, the commitment to promote student-centred learning, characterized by innovative teaching methods involving the students as active participants in their own learning was reiterated.

Following these guidelines, the TOX-OER project (Learning Toxicology through Open Educational Resources) was conceived to support learning in the field of Toxicology through the application of Open Educational Resources (OERs). Toxicology is a transversal science that addresses important aspects of human health and the environment. Although this discipline is taught in different Degrees and Postgraduate programs, its formation is very uneven among the different European countries. In addition, there is a serious deficit in terms of Continuous Education, both for those wishing to start in this science, and for professionals related to it.

Therefore, the main objective of the project was to improve digital integration in learning and teaching by applying the use of OERs, through the development of a massive open online course (MOOC) in Toxicology. It was also an essential objective for its achievement the creation of a scientific and pedagogical consortium in the field of Toxicology among experts from different countries, which was able to promote the educational offer and its quality between universities, through the transfer of each one’s scientific expertise.

The consortium, led by the University of Salamanca, has been carried out by professionals of very different fields (experts in Toxicology, Chemistry, New Technologies, Pedagogy…) belonging to 7 countries, which include the Universities of Salamanca (Spain), Porto (Portugal), Bologna (Italy), Charles (Czech Republic), Applied Sciences of Southeast Finland (Finland), Transylvania of Brasov (Romania) and a Research Institute (Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgaria).

To carry out the customization and implementation of the MOOC, five stages were defined: 1) Definition of the curriculum; 2) Creation of an open platform for the MOOC; 3) Development of the OERs; 4) Certification and recognizable credits; 5) Harmonization of the OERs. This MOOC has been translated into the languages of the partner countries (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian, Czech, Bulgarian and Finnish) and English. This makes this material available to Europeans and also to people in Latin America and Africa.

For the development of the project it was necessary to carry out several activities: 1) Face-to-face and virtual meetings, to reach agreements, propose strategies and resolve doubts. 2) Intensive learning courses, to allow direct contact between interested students and experts in Toxicology. 3) Conferences or events in different scenarios (face-to-face, blended and online), to test the results that were generated and get feedback to help improve the products. This activity was carried out through: “multiplier events”, integrated courses in undergraduate and postgraduate programs and even in MiriadaX Platform; 4) Dissemination to publicize the utility of the MOOC.

The MOOC is aimed at a plurality of groups with different learning needs. The following individuals will benefit from this project: a) consortium staff; b) academics, undergraduate and graduate students; c) professionals related to Toxicology; d) general population, which may acquire basic knowledge about common poisonings. It should be noted that the MOOC could be used in the Lifelong Learning scenario, being useful in distance learning in diverse social, economic and cultural contexts and reaching disadvantaged audiences.

The results of this project have materialized in the development of the first MOOC in Toxicology in Europe (http://moodle.toxoer.com/). It has also generated a book (in English and Spanish) entitled: “Challenges in Open Educational Resources: the case of TOX-OER MOOC “, which gathers the experience of the development of this project through a technical, pedagogical and personal vision, so that it can be used in other educational areas. It has also structured an educational program in Toxicology to be used by other professionals. As additional results, a “Diploma of Specialization in Toxicology”, with a recognition of 33 ECTS by the USAL that will contribute sustainability to the project has been created. As proof of the interest generated, the MOOC has reached an impact of thousands of users that are growing exponentially.

In short, this project has created a Strategic Partnership between Higher Education Institutions to respond to a scientific demand through innovative educational tools.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 191243 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA & Country: ES

Project Partners

• ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA
• SPACE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
• UNIVERZITA KARLOVA
• UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA DIN BRASOV
• UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO
• KYMENLAAKSON AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
• KAAKKOIS-SUOMEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY