Evaluation of the Swiss Virtual Campus - Schweizerische ...

that SNF and CTI might be encouraged to host this. Swiss higher education was obviously
set to continue with presential teaching, but new technologies have an important role to play
in preparing graduates for the world of work. Switzerland needs to keep abreast of these
developments and to contribute to them through its own research.
6. There is general acknowledgement that developing TEL components is time-consuming for
staff, at least in the initial stage before the course starts. Consequently, incentives for staff
who engage with TEL processes need to be considered. Examples from abroad include: a
reduced teaching load, opportunities for staff development, a certificate of participation in
staff development and acknowledgement in promotion rounds where the TEL application
has been particularly successful. Furthermore, consideration should be given when hiring
new staff of the value of TEL experience. Awards for outstanding teaching are another
incentive which should be continued.
5. Other Issues
There were a number of issues raised by the SVC project which the panel did not have the time
to tackle in any depth. One of these was the issue of distance or fully online programmes. The
panel noted that through the course of the SVC project, the practice of blended learning was
adopted over that of distance learning. This seems entirely appropriate to the panel, as distance
education requires a different structure and support system than is currently in place in
Switzerland. Nevertheless, the panel could foresee niche applications of fully online courses in
the Swiss system.
Another issue which the panel lacked the time to consider was that of a national platform. There
seems to be evidence on both sides of the debate: on the one hand, with such disparate
institutions funded by different cantons, it is understandable that institutions want their own LMS;
on the other hand, a single platform would make economic sense. However, the choice of an
LMS is a very volatile issue and although Moodle appears to be gaining ascendancy at the
moment, the same could have been said about Blackboard only a few years ago. The panel
chooses not to comment on this matter.
A third issue which the panel is not tasked with considering, but which they feel should be on
the agenda somewhere, is the matter of overall decision making about elearning directions.
Most universities elsewhere have a senior member of academic staff tasked with managing the
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