Special Regulation

for the Implementation of E-Learning

Government Gazette 5761/Issue B/16-10-2024

Amendment of the Senate Decision No. 78656/19-6-2023 of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Government Gazette 4084/Issue B/23-6-2023) regarding the approval of the Regulation of Postgraduate Studies Programmes (MSc) of AUTh.

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Organization of the Educational Process using Distance Learning Methods
(For MSc programmes conducted fully or partially via distance learning using ICT, Gov. Gazette 1079/B/28-2-2023)

1. Readiness for an Integrated E-learning System
AUTh operates an integrated e-learning system supporting both synchronous and asynchronous interaction. This system includes video conferencing and virtual classroom technologies, ensuring that instructors and students in different locations receive real-time feedback. It also provides access to communication tools (chat rooms) to facilitate collaboration, exchange of views, and joint assignments between all participants.

2. Access, Accreditation, and User Rights
The e-learning environment is available in both Greek and English and is fully accessible to persons with disabilities and special educational needs. AUTh provides institutional accounts with Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication for easy access to all academic resources based on user roles (instructor, student, administrator, etc.).

For each distance-learning MSc, a Technical E-learning Coordinator is appointed to provide specialized support to students and staff. Initial identity verification (identity check) for the issuance of institutional accounts is conducted by the MSc Secretariats. The AUTh Digital Governance Unit utilizes Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to support these processes.

3. Technological Infrastructure and Services
The integrated e-learning system supports the following horizontal institutional services/infrastructures:

• • Service 1: Learning Management System (LMS) – Based on Moodle open-source software for hosting virtual classrooms (elearning.auth.gr).
• • Service 2: Synchronous E-learning Tools – Real-time interaction via tools such as Zoom, MS Teams, Google Meet, and BigBlueButton.
• • Service 3: Multimedia Classrooms – Rooms equipped with audiovisual technology for hybrid or fully remote teaching.
• • Service 4: Website Hosting – Dedicated web presence for each MSc via websites.auth.gr.
• • Service 5: Multimedia Content Production – Support for creating podcasts and videocasts synchronized with presentations (it.auth.gr/service/studio/).
• • Service 6: Streaming & Recording – Live broadcast and recording of lectures.
• • Service 7: Student Information System (SIS) – Electronic secretariat for managing applications, students, and courses (sis.auth.gr).
• • Service 8: Institutional Account & SSO – Unified access to all academic applications.
• • Service 9: Integrated Library System – Based on Koha software, including access to digital sources and subscriptions (search.lib.auth.gr).
• • Service 10: Institutional Repository (IKEE) – Hosting all Master’s theses and Doctoral dissertations produced at AUTh (ikee.lib.auth.gr).
• • Service 11: Digital Collections – Access to digitized historical, cultural, and archival material.
• • Service 12: Plagiarism Detection – Use of TurnItIn software to ensure academic integrity.
• • Service 13: User Training – Training in bibliographic research, citation management, and copyright/plagiarism prevention.
• • Service 14: Support for Persons with Disabilities – Specialized library and digital accessibility services.

The maintenance and upgrading of the horizontal services/infrastructures (1-14) are managed centrally by the Institution. Technical support staff at the Department level assist instructors, who are further supported by the University’s central services through the sharing of expertise and best practices.

3.1. eLearning Educational Support Service

The eLearning support service allows for the digital organization and distribution of educational material and provides communication tools between students and instructors.

Specifically, the elearning.auth.gr platform:

• Provides integration with synchronous distance learning tools.
• Manages all required user roles and corresponding access rights.
• Is part of the central digital infrastructure for technical support and maintenance.
• Offers plagiarism detection tools.
• Provides tools for developing content accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Complies with AUTh data protection policies.
• Is hosted on AUTh central servers, certified under ISO 27001:2013 for Information Security Management.
• Is linked with the Student Information System (sis.auth.gr), which provides standardized certificates in both Greek and English.

4. Procedures for Educational Support

To prevent student isolation and facilitate time management, distance learning programmes utilize navigation tools such as Study Guides and Study Timetables.

Study Guides provide a summary of course content, key connections between units, and evaluation methods. Clear information is available via SIS or LMS regarding:

• Course summary, purpose, and learning objectives.
• Structure and content (number of units, chapters, and estimated workload).
• Course calendar (synchronous meetings, assignment deadlines, exams).
• Grading scale and evaluation rules.
• Assessment methods (individual/group assignments, written/oral exams, interviews, or participation in forums).
• Weighting of each assessment form (e.g., 30% assignment, 15% participation).
• Educational material and additional learning resources.
• Selected synchronous platform (Zoom, MS Teams, etc.) and access methods.

The Study Timetable breaks down the workload per unit (usually per week) and sets summary milestones. These guides are reviewed regularly based on internal and external evaluations.

5. Pedagogical Framework and Evaluation

The pedagogical design is based on two parameters: the requirements of the specific scientific field and the evaluation standards of the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS/ΕΣΔΠ) of the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP).

A. Pedagogical Philosophy: Focuses on inquiry-based learning and collaborative knowledge construction. Content includes e-resources (articles, e-books), multimedia (videos, virtual environments), and AI platforms.

B. Educational Context: Distinguishes between tasks (assignments provided by instructors) and activities (the students’ transformation of content into learning outcomes). Tools include interactive online activities, problem-solving scenarios, discussion forums, and simulation games.

The overarching goal is to promote student-centered learning, active participation, and the development of specific skills, while maintaining academic freedom and autonomy in programme design.

6. Digital Skills Training for Faculty

Faculty digital skills are enhanced through guides and self-assessment material provided by the IT Center and the Center for Teaching and Learning (KEDIMA). Systematic training programmes are offered to upgrade these skills. Periodic evaluation criteria are set annually by MODIP, ensuring compliance with the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS), the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE/ΕΘΑΑΕ), and ENQA standards.

7. Plagiarism Control Procedure

The elearning.auth service provides faculty access to Turnitin. Students can access Turnitin Draft Coach via their institutional Online Microsoft 365 account.

8. Privacy and System Security Policy

AUTh maintains a strict personal data protection policy (auth.gr/gdpr). Horizontal services follow the AUTh Information Security Policy and are ISO 27001:2013 certified. Third-party cloud services (Google, Microsoft, Zoom) operate under specific terms of service compliant with University standards.

9. Internal Evaluation Criteria for Distance MSc Programmes

Internal evaluation by MODIP ensures that distance learning programmes meet high-quality standards. Criteria include:

• Alignment of content with the latest research in the scientific field.
• Effective design harmonized with distance learning methodology.
• Faculty participation in specialized pedagogical training.
• Monitoring of student workload and completion rates.
• Clear evaluation frameworks and criteria for assignments and exams.
• Ensuring high student satisfaction and interaction levels.
• Optimal utilization of institutional technological infrastructures.

10. Student Registration and Records

MSc programmes utilize the Student Information System (SIS) to securely manage the student lifecycle from application and registration to graduation, including certificate issuance and course declarations.

11. Required Actions for MSc Bodies

The competent MSc body is authorized to:

• Define the pedagogical framework and evaluation methods.
• Establish student educational support procedures.
• Document the suitability of the scientific subject for distance learning (including benchmarking with similar international programmes).
• Analyze the distribution of teaching hours (in-person, synchronous, asynchronous) per educational activity.
• Specify digital educational material and final assessment methods.

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The Senate Decision No. 78656/19-6-2023 remains in effect for all other matters. This decision shall be published in the Government Gazette.

Internal Distribution: – Rector’s & Vice-Rectors’ Offices – Directorate of Academic Coordination – MSc Support Service – Department of Studies – MODIP (Quality Assurance Unit) – Senate Secretariat

The Rector Charalambos N. Feidas Professor, Department of Geology