Interview with Ulf-Daniel Ehlers, Project coordinator of the TRIANGLE Project (2004)

How did the project improve possibilities for eLearning?

The project has been on quality for eLearning and as an outcome a European level organization, European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning (EFQUEL) has been established. This organization offers access to the information on quality and e-learning for European organizations, networks and institutions and it is a forum for discussion and exchange of good practices and experiences.

What was your experience of working with partners in other European countries? How did the inter-European scope enrich the project?

There are several aspects: Firstly, project itself was a composition of 3 prior projects, so a combined project in which members of 3 different consortiums came together. It was challenging to bring together different networks and organization in one project, but this challenge turned out to be the success of the project, since the question of quality can only be solved through a comprehensive and multistakeholder environment - which was exactly provided through the diverse nature of the consortium. Lastly, project outcomes such as policy papers on e-learning stated the importance of a comprehensive multistakeholder approach to quality which stressed inclusion and builds on dialogue, as well as products working out the necessary competences to develop quality.

What were the impacts of the project for the educational or wider community in project countries and in EU policy?

The project had policy effects on several levels; Policy and regulatory bodies decide joining to our network as a result of their direct interest and also they contribute to the quality development in e-learning. Besides that EU Networks working on e-learning and distance learning have relations with EFQUEL as associate partners or they are partners. These memberships and partnerships provide an indirect effect on EU policy as those organizations are clusters that are involved in EU policy making.

How was the sustainability of the project ensured?

The most important decision was to establish the Foundation, not only after the project had been over but already from day 1 of the project on. The project ensured the success and sustainability, because a complex organisation like the Foundation needs time to develop and the project proved to be a good host for the young organisation which by the end of the project had already achieved a certain degree of majority.

In what ways were the dissemination activities successful?

As there were 3 networks working together for one project, there have been many opportunities for dissemination of the project. Through large scale of partners who are experts in EU field, the Project was present in many major/minor European events. For instance, there were already 40 organizations involved in the project as future members of EFQUEL.

What are the most important lessons you have learnt? What are therefore your key messages (max 3) for the future use of ICT in learning?

The use of ICT in education and training should focus on innovation and ask the question how ICT can be used to do things differently and with better quality – and not just how to reproduce educational offers in the same way as they have been done without ICT.

Access the DOSSIER: eLearning programme 2000 - 2006: The Legacy to learn more about the eLearning programme