The United Nations Environment Programme Initiates a Global Platform for Web-Based Learning
Arndt Bubenzer holds a university degree in adult and continuing education and communication studies from universities in Freiburg, Germany and Halifax, Canada. His portfolio includes the design of e-learning programmes and course management at the tele-akademie Furtwangen in Germany and EU project management in the education sector. Furthermore, he was programme manager of the university master’s programme ‘Learning and Teaching New Media’ at the Donau-Universität Krems and worked as university lecturer for communication science, new media and education.
Currently he is Director of common sense, an e-learning and training consultancy in Vienna, Austria. In this position, his area of expertise involves operations and project management, distance learning design, course planning and organisation, educational consultancy, assessments, instructional design, development of course content, international trainings as well as development co-operation.
OEB: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) are vital institutions for the global environment protection and conservation. What challenges necessitate the implementation of e-learning in your work?
Arndt Bubenzer: Each year, hundreds of UNEP clients worldwide are trained in environmental assessment, information management, geographic information systems and related areas. For this purpose, UNEP utilises special customised tools for capacity development in different regions. However no systematic approach was taken towards managing this diversified training programme and keeping track of who was trained and what impact the training had in their workplace.
Ultimately, the whole concept of e-learning has not been addressed. In order to be more responsive to the growing needs of various user groups involved in different aspects of assessment and early warning, it is proposed to take advantage of modern information and communications technology tools and provide key training resources and courses to the user community through an electronic platform on the web. Additionally, some courses will be offered on an e-learning basis with the intention of reaching a wider audience via the web.
OEB: The Marketplace for Environmental Training and On-line Resources (MENTOR) is a pilot scheme. What are the objectives and aims of this venture?
Arndt Bubenzer: UNEP’s Division of Early Warning and Assessment is developing MENTOR as a web-based learning platform with the aim to disseminate appropriate tools, guidelines, methodologies and best practices in environmental science. The support of online training in the use of these tools is another aspect of the project.
The results we expect to achieve with our web-based platform are diverse. First and foremost, the project will raise awareness of the e-learning issue in the environmental field, especially among environment ministers and other officials. As a result, the path should be cleared for a policy position on mainstreaming e-learning into formal programmes. We also count on increased commitment and support of high-level representatives so a constructive dialogue on the subject can be furthered. Finally, tackling the topic of e-learning in the context of sustainable development is as vital for us as promoting a new way of thinking about environment, development and education among opinion-leaders in the general public.
OEB: A project of this size and complexity can’t be accomplished without expert help. What role did common sense play in the development of MENTOR, and what will future co-operations look like?
Arndt Bubenzer: Common sense has been working closely with UNEP on the implementation of the e-learning project. Our company supports organisations by building in-house capacities, training staff and setting up the infrastructure in collaboration with clients’ staff. The UNEP implementation process was a "midwife" assignment for the consultants, with the objective of supporting a UNEP team to the point where this team would be able to prepare and conduct e-learning activities in-house and without much external support.
In the future, common sense will assume more of a “coach” position. Since the midwifing process ends with the successful delivery of the pilot courses, the project team can now request coaching where needed in the initial independent steps.
Giving a short summary, what has been your practical experience with MENTOR so far?
Arndt Bubenzer: Apart from the UNEP e-learning team, the implementation process involved multiple players: different organisational units within UNEP itself, various partner organisations and the e-learning consultancy firm. There were different needs, requirements and challenges to be addressed to maintain a constructive and successful process.
The implementation process was carried out in several steps, from the first meeting and team building, to the development and training and the final implementation and evaluation. Since the commencement of the project in December 2006, a core team of six UNEP staff members of various backgrounds in education, environment and IT has followed these steps. As a result, three different e-learning courses are being piloted and evaluated at present.
The experiences from this “midwifing” process are shaping the way for UNEP’s e-learning strategy in the future, but at the same time, they contribute directly to UNEP’s core tasks: e-learning will make environmental information more readily available, and it enhances networking and participatory exchange on environmental issues worldwide.
OEB: Taking into account the users of the portal, can you tell us about success stories of MENTOR to date?
Arndt Bubenzer: At the moment we are in the process of summarising all user feedback in time for the Online Educa session, which will focus on content presentation, platform and tutoring support.
OEB: Mr Bubenzer, thank you very much for your time!
Along with UNEP official Gerard Cunningham, Mr Bubenzer will present more information and practical experience regarding MENTOR in the session 
PUB44 Mainstreaming E-Learning to Support Environmental Assessment and Early Warning on Friday, November 30 at 11:45 - 13:15.
November 7, 2007
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