The Patras Blended Strategy Model for Deep and Meaningful

Learning in Quality Life‑Long Distance Education

Life‑long learning is currently being embraced as a central

process that could disrupt traditional educational paths.

Apparently, the (ideal) type of learning often promoted is deep and

meaningful learning, though it is not always required to be so. Deep

learning goes beyond superficial knowledge assimilation of unlinked

facts; it aims at developing deep disciplinary understanding,

transformative knowledge, personal meaning, emotional intelligence,

critical thinking, creativity and metacognitive skills. Meaningful

learning occurs when learning is active, constructive, intentional,

authentic, and cooperative. Technology enhanced teaching and

learning methods should prove their potential to transform life‑long

learning provision and facilitate the achievement of deep and

meaningful learning. In the context of distance education in

life‑long learning, one important challenge is the design of

versatile quality assurance strategies for e‑training. Based on the

experiences in distance lifelong learning programmes in the

University of Patras’ Educational Center for Life‑Long Learning

(KEDIVIM) the authors present how the principles and attributes of

deep and meaningful learning can be combined with project management

in practice and be incorporated in an e‑Learning quality strategy.

We present i) the methods used to assess the quality of the

e‑Learning programmes, ii) key findings of the evaluation process

and iii) first research evaluation results on the quality of

learning. This research study on learning process quality was

conducted by using an online questionnaire, which aimed at

estimating the level of participants’ satisfaction while using

interactive learning methods such as collaborative learning. Some

results of the evaluation indicate that the e‑Learning quality

strategy led to e‑Learning programmes that used active learning

methods to achieve high learners’ satisfaction towards deep and

meaningful learning.