M.A.S.T.E.R - Mobility, Assessment, Selection, Technology and E-Learning Research

1 October 2006 - 30 September 2008

Summary

Master students of European universities dispose of very different levels of previous knowledge. This causes high drop-out rates in the respective study programmes. Preparatory and remedial courses can lead to an increase of study success (higher completion rates in a shorter time-span). The M.A.S.T.E.R. project aimed at the development of online courses for prospective master students. The project has been implementing on the one hand an innovative learning environment to facilitate prospective European master degree students in their selection process by ensuring more informed decision making, and providing online preparation for a master programme. On the other hand, it tried to improve the opportunities of universities to better inform students about their programmes, increase the completion rates and reduce necessary study time. Because of this, students should be able to make a more informed choice, refresh or attain the required skills and form a bond with the university at an early stage, thereby possibly increasing the likeliness of obtaining a Masters degree.

The specific objectives of the M.A.S.T.E.R project were to create guidelines for programme directors who want to create online assessments that show prospective students the content of a master programme and the required levels, transferable (topic independent) pedagogical scenarios for remediation of lacks in knowledge, skills or competences and a set of instructions for staff members involved in online distance education.

Project partners:
Universiteit Maastricht (NL), Fachhochschule Lübeck (DE), University of Dundee (UK), Siauliai University (LT)

Project website: http://www.masterproject.info

Contact details: Bart Rienties, Universiteit Maastricht

Supported by the European Commission under the Socrates-Minerva Programme