Instructions for participants

1. General information about the e-course

This e-course addresses the pedagogical context of learning and teaching with an emphasis on integrating contemporary teaching concepts with digital technologies in higher education. The total participant workload is 75 hours. The course explores various pedagogical models and their application in digitally supported education, while developing competencies in lesson planning and learning support. Topics include aligning teaching objectives and learning outcomes with learning and assessment strategies in an online environment, as well as the informed selection of educational technologies.

This e-course contains these topics:

• Pedagogical context of learning and teaching
• Connecting pedagogical models and digital technology
• Teaching objectives and planning learning support
• Modern concepts of learning and teaching
• Connecting the teaching process and learning strategies
• Evaluation as an integrative part of contemporary teaching
• Technology as a support for learning
• Critical approach to the use of digital technologies in context.

Number of ECTS credits: 3

Participants: teachers employed at higher education institutions

Learning outcomes of the e-course:

• design appropriate learning objectives taking into account the digital teaching context in accordance with the characteristics of the target group
• analyze the possibility of applying innovative pedagogical models to improve learning and teaching practices
• plan support for self-regulated learning in accordance with available digital technologies
• combine new forms of teaching and new pedagogical methods within teaching practice with the use of appropriate digital technologies
• choose appropriate digital technologies to support quality interaction with students as part of the teaching process
• apply constructive alignment to an example case in an online environment.

The course objectives are:

• develop an understanding of pedagogical models and their application in higher education supported by digital educational technologies
• train participants in lesson planning and learning support, while aligning goals, learning outcomes, learning strategies and assessment in a digital educational environment
• to encourage a critical approach to the selection and application of educational technology in the context of contemporary concepts of learning and teaching.

2. E-course structure

The e-course consists of eight thematic units. The following table shows the percentage contribution of each topic to each learning outcome at the course level.

E-course structure and learning outcomes at the level of thematic units:

1. Thematic unit Pedagogical Context of Learning and Teaching
   This unit will cover the following topics: Pedagogical Context, Contemporary and Traditional Pedagogical Approaches, and Connecting Traditional and Contemporary Approaches.
2. Thematic unit Connecting pedagogical models and digital technology 
   This unit will cover the following topics: Basic pedagogical concepts, Instructional design and models, Connecting pedagogical models and digital technology, and History of distance learning; E-learning as a new educational paradigm.
3. Thematic unit Teaching objectives and planning learning support
   This unit will cover the following topics: From objectives to outcomes - the foundation of quality teaching and Connecting objectives, teaching tasks and learning outcomes.
4. Thematic unit Contemporary concepts of learning and teaching
   This unit will cover the following topics: Contemporary pedagogical approaches; Other contemporary forms and Collaboration in an online environment.
5. Thematic unit Connecting the teaching process and learning strategies
   This unit will cover the following topics: Introduction to learning strategies, Cognitive and metacognitive strategies, Self-regulated learning (SRL), and Practical tips for supporting learning in modern forms of teaching.
6. Thematic unit Assessment as an integrative part of modern teaching
   This unit will cover the following topics: Communication (with and among students), Roles, rights and responsibilities in group work, and Assessment.
7. Thematic unit Technology as a support for learning
   This unit will cover the following topics: Purposeful use of technology in teaching, Digital tools for integrating pedagogy and technology in higher education, and Team approach in providing support.
8. Thematic unit Critical approach to the use of digital technologies in the context
   This unit will cover the following topics: Positive and negative impact of technology on teaching, Choosing technology according to pedagogical approach, and Teamwork, project: "Critical review of technology in an educational context".

3. Technical information about the system in which the e-course is held

This e-course is delivered via the Loomen system, which is based on the open-source Moodle platform. The e-course homepage is structured in accordance with the overall course design, with links directing participants to the relevant activities and resources.

The e-course can be accessed on any internet-connected computer, smartphone or tablet and functions properly in all major web browsers (Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Edge). The e-course is also available through a mobile application, although its performance may vary.

Navigation is facilitated through the menu on the left, while the panel on the right allows participants to track upcoming activities, view highlighted notifications, and monitor their progress throughout the e-course.

The Loomen system is intuitive; however, if any difficulties arise, participants should contact the instructor via the email address (provided on the e-course homepage).

4. How it works

This e-course consists of eight interrelated units that build on one another both theoretically and practically through the completion of course tasks.

Some tasks are designed to be completed independently, while others involve group work, depending on the scope and objectives of the activities (groups will be formed on an ad-hoc basis for specific activities as needed). Opportunities for collaboration with other participants are also provided through planned activities (discussions and peer assessment).

Practical assignments are completed online in the form of homework submissions or forum discussions, with each assignment accompanied by detailed instructions. Information about the timeline for completing individual topics will be communicated during the e-course implementation, while remaining within the total planned workload of 75 hours.

5. Minimum technical requirements for attending the e-course

Types of content in the e-course:

• Educational multimedia (primarily text-based) materials (e.g. lessons and pages) are available within the Loomen system and can be accessed directly through a web browser. All materials can also be downloaded in PDF format. Therefore, participants should have a PDF reader installed. When using browsers such as Firefox or Chrome, a separate PDF reader is not required because PDFs can be opened directly in the browser.
• Video lessons are hosted on CARNET's Meduza multimedia portal and embedded within Loomen pages, allowing access without leaving the Loomen system. Viewing video lessons requires an internet connection of at least 2 Mbit/s, as well as headphones or speakers.
• The practical components of the course are completed using a spreadsheet application; participants should have an appropriate tool installed, with MS Excel recommended.
• Assessment activities are supported by Loomen's built-in functionalities and do not require any additional technical prerequisites. All tests are completed entirely within a web browser and no other technical prerequisites are required.
• Synchronous activities are condcted via the BigBlueButton platform, which is integrated into  Loomen. Technical requirements for participation include a microphone, headphones, and a stable internet connection, preferably with a speed of 5Mbit/s or higher.

6. Student obligations

Participants are encouraged to participate in as many course activities as possible, including reviewing and analyzing video lessons and educational materials, as well as completing practical tasks. Throughout the e-course, participants may earn a maximum of 83 points. The table below outlined the mandatory activities by topic, method of implementation, and the number of points available. 
The e-course is considered successfully completed if participants achieve at least 42 points in total and at least one third of the available points in each assessed activity. In addition, participants automatically receive the "Pedagogy in a Digital Environment" badge upon meeting the following criteria: completion of all knowledge tests (Test type) and all Assignment-type activities.

7. Contact information

For all substantive questions and questions related to attending the e-course, contact your instructor at the e-mail address: x@x.hr.

For technical questions, please contact the e-mail address: x@carnet.hr or call 01 xxxxxxx.

8. Rules of conduct in the e-course

To support effective collaboration, we have established the following rules of conduct for participation in the e-course.

1. Respect other participants as if they were in the same room with you. Foster a culture of respect and constructive dialogue in all communication. Remember that there is a real person behind every username - kindness and empathy are essential to creating a positive learning environment.
2. Use professional and clear language. Try to write in a grammatically correct manner, avoid using capital letters as they may be interpreted as shouting, and aim to express your ideas clearly. Inappropriate or offensive messages are not acceptable.
3. Stay focused and be concise. Ensure that your comments, replies and messages are relevant to the topic and well structured so that they are easy for others to understand. Clear and focused communication benefits both you and your colleagues.
4. Participate actively and on time. Your engagement contributes to the quality of shared learning. Check notifications regularly, meet assignment deadlines, and participate in discussions.
5.  Respect privacy and confidentiality of information. Do not share personal information about other participants without their explicit consent. Also, be mindful when sharing your own personal information in public areas of the e-course.
6. Avoid promotional content or spam. The e-course is not a place for advertising, chain messages, or political content. All contributions should be related to the e-course content and support mutual learning.
7. Express disagreement constructively. Focus criticism on ideas or content rather than on individuals. If you disagree, present your viewpoint respectfully and remain open to differing perspectives.
8. Use appropriate communication channels. For technical or organizational issues, use the designated forums or contact  the course mentors through official channels. Informal communication is welcome in designated areas, while respecting basic rules of etiquette.
9. Prepare to participate in virtual meetings. If the e-course includes live video sessions, it is recommended to use a camera (when possible), participate from a quiet environment, and speak only when you have a comment or question. Be mindful of others' time and avoid disrupting the session.
10. Act in accordance with ethical and legal standards. Respect copyright, institutional policies, and applicable laws. Unauthorized use of content, plagiarism, or sharing of confidential information is not permitted.

This e-course is available for use under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. When using the work, we suggest attributing the work as follows:
Banek Zorica M. (2025) Pedagogija u digitalnom okruženju. First edition of CARNET's e-course. Retrieved from https://usavrsavanje.loomen.carnet.hr/course/view.php?id=3592

Why these rules? The goal is to ensure a quality, inclusive, and professional learning environment in which everyone feels comfortable.

What if the rules are broken? In case of non-compliance, the e-course managers can warn you, and in more serious situations, take further steps in accordance with the institution's regulations.

Who is responsible? All e-course participants share responsibility for maintaining a positive and professional atmosphere.

9. Bibliography

A list of references used in the preparation of the e-course can be found on the cover at this link. If you are particularly interested in a topic, we recommend that you further study the listed bibliography.