ETEACH – PROMOTION OF NEW LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES

Programme geared to sustainability of new learning technologies:
Building up the Swiss Centre for Innovations in Learning
since 2001, completion of outphasing end 2011


In the general wave of Internet euphoria witnessed in the late 1990s, new learning technologies attracted a veritable flood of hype in Switzerland too. The universities were quick to announce a didactic revolution, but the individual projects frequently proved barely effective. Against this backdrop, Gebert Rüf Stiftung founded the eTeach Competence Centre at the University of St. Gallen in 2001, having invited tenders for a suitable university location.

An effectiveness perspective for e-learning

In the wake of the Internet euphoria of the late 1990s, new learning technologies were heavily hyped in Switzerland and elsewhere. A revolution was proclaimed in university instruction. Universities launched countless e-learning projects. Although state support programmes such as Virtual Campus Switzerland did seek to address the topic in a broad manner, the individual projects were often ineffective. Against this background Gebert Rüf Stiftung launched the eTeach Centre of Excellence in 2001. Other than this flagship engagement, no projects have been financed in the e-learning area.

Bundling of founds

After consultation with an advisory committee, the Board of Trustees decided to issue a request for proposals for start-up funding of a university Centre of Excellence. The technical universities, universities and the two Federal Institutes of Technology were contacted and informed of the initiative. Out of nine project submissions, the University of St. Gallen was chosen in a two-stage selection process.

Swiss Centre for Innovations in Learning SCIL
at the University of St. Gallen

Development of the Swiss Centre for Innovations in Learning commenced in 2003. The start-up financing is structured by milestones in five annual stages and comprises roughly CHF 6 million in funding. The development process is being overseen by a coach and the eTeach advisory board.