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View Full Version : UNED - Spain's distance university expects 5,500 students in Tenerife this year.



bonitatime
20-10-2011, 17:10
http://www.eldia.es/2011-10-20/CANARIAS/3-UNED-Tenerife-espera-llegar-curso-alumnos.htm




M.G., La Laguna
The decrease of students felt by the islands universities hasn't affected the UNED (Spanis's national distance university), which has in the last few years seen an average 5% increase in their registration figures. The economic crisis has seen less students in the classrooms but UNED has seen a higher increase.
The associated centres in Tenerife – as well as their main centre in La Laguna, has centres in Los Realejos, Granadilla, La Gomera & El Hierro- Thy expect this year to reach 5.500 registered, when last year they were 5,100. This would be an increase of 8%, more than their average increase. Although the registration period hasn't finished – it closes today- Director of the centre, Carmen Sevilla, reminded that “curiously, many people wait until the last day to register and I expect to reach 5,500”.
Whet UNED has increased continuously stated Sevilla is “the incorporation of different aged students. The range of ages is due to the methodology we provide. We have seen many professional people register this year” she explained.
The average student hasn't varied: “They are men and women between 30 and 50, with some exceptions”. The great majority are working - “The methodology allows for th student to combine work, study and family life”, added the director – although this year there are more unemployed students.
The precess of adaptation to the Plan Bologna the latest European higher education treaty, hasn't left the UNED out of the water, as their model – based of student autonomy, which is supported by tutors- is orientated towards the concepts of the university. “Our adaptation has been very easy”, stated Carmen Sevilla.
The importance of the new technologies is, according to director of the Tenerife centre, this is another concept that UNED is working towards. “Here we have always worked with new technology. We have for various years we have used used AVIP blackboards, which are always science fiction and can't be seen in any standard classrooms”. This instrument allows for interaction between tutors and students which are often in different building in different cities in UNED centres.
The students can now record their tutorials to view then and next year they will have the chance to talk to their tutor from home. “The student could be in Valverde and talk to a tutor in Ponferrada, and then save the tutorials to watch them later when they need them”, added Carmen Sevilla.