VIRTUAL SEMINARS. HOW TO USE THEM EN DISTANCE EDUCATION

Abstract

The article deals with an element in distance education which has been offered so far only through face to face teaching in residential short term courses. This element is traditionally labeled as "seminar" which differes from the lecture or "unidad didactica" in that it is based on students own contributions and on academic discussion. Today various attempts are made to deliver seminars as well online. The special characteristics and difficulties are discussed here in detail. Also alternative technical solutions are analyzed. At the end it is argued that virtual seminars have special characteristics that still have to be further investigated and that may rather complement than substitute face to face meetings.