Embedding Blended Learning Environments in Higher Education: Towards a European Maturity Model

Abstract

A Partnership in Higher EducationThe “European Maturity Model for Blended Education” (EMBED) is a higher education (HE) project (2017-2020) led by a consortium of universities across Europe: KU Leuven, TU Delft, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Aarhus, Dublin City University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences. It is coordinated by The European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) and funded by the European Commission. Aim is to support institutions when introducing, developing and implementing blended learning (BL) in HE. A reference model is created that encompasses all levels of an institution: the design of a course, organisational aspects such as policy making, staff support, training and leadership, while guarding the institution’s quality culture. Internal stakeholders include learners, teaching staff, support services, technology departments and university leaders, while external stakeholders are key persons responsible for policy making such as governments, European university networks and the EU.