New partnership for blended learning in the HF diploma program
The Distance Learning University of Applied Sciences Switzerland (FFHS), the ABB Technician School (ABBTS) and the Center for Continuing Professional Development St. Gallen (ZbW) are entering into a strategic partnership. The FFHS supports the two Höhere Fachschulen (HF) in the new development of recognized HF diploma training courses in Switzerland, which combine face-to-face teaching and digitally-supported learning formats according to the "blended learning" principle.
At the beginning of the FlexHF project was the desire of students to be able to organize their HF studies more flexibly. ABBTS and ZbW are therefore the first higher technical colleges in Switzerland to offer recognized degree programs in a new, flexible format. The curricula and qualification procedures of the training courses remain the same, but part of the face-to-face teaching is replaced by digitalized and individualized forms of learning. "Currently, we are only modestly applying e-learning to the HF degree programs," explains Kurt Rubeli, Rector of ABBTS. "With the FlexHF study program, we are intensifying this. The partnership with the FFHS is crucial for us, as it brings us a big step forward in terms of e-didactics."
Focused practice and digital-based learning formats
HF-Flex degree programs will offer a contemporary form of guided learning through digitalized and individualized forms of learning. The proportion of classroom teaching will be smaller and increasingly devoted to application, practice in the laboratory and personal exchange. At the same time, the greatly expanded e-learning component should offer students greater flexibility in terms of time and space in their HF studies. "With this blended learning methodology, we also want to enable employees to enter higher vocational education whose everyday working life does not allow them to study with a high school presence," says ZbW Director Andreas Schubiger about the planned combination of concentrated practice with digital-based learning.
20 years of experience put to new use
"Services to third parties are part of our performance mandate," explains FFHS Rector Michael Zurwerra. "We are pleased to be able to pass on our expertise from 20 years of blended learning to recognized HFs. At the same time, the FlexHF project allows us to gather further insights and refine our methodology." For example, ZbW and ABBTS instructors will be working together in the CAS eDidactics of the FFHS and pick up important input on the structuring of the program and e-didactics. The FFHS will also support the implementation of the study programs on e-learning platforms and opens up a smooth transition from the higher technical college to the university of applied sciences for FlexHF graduates with its Passerellen offers.
Study start spring 2018
The plan is to start the first two FlexHF programs in spring 2018. ABBTS will offer a FlexHF program in energy technology, and ZbW will offer a FlexHF program in mechanical engineering.
More information: flexhf.ch
