Glossary

This glossary is a collection of the most important words and terms used in the operations of the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences.

Electronic transactions
Electronic transactions means offering and using public services and disseminating information online. Such services can be divided into transaction services and other services. Most transaction services need to be processed by public authorities. If electronic transactions require that the user be identified, this can be done either by means of a user name and password or by means of a certificate. http://www.intermin.fi/suomi/sahkoinenasiointi (Source: http://www.intermin.fi).

eProduction environment
An instrument for material production which is offered through the Finnish Online UAS's portal and which consists of different tools. Through the eProduction environment you can produce and store learning materials. It can be used to assemble study units, courses or parts of courses from the learning objects and other materials and to publish them in the www.amk.fi –address of your choice. The ePproduction environment stores the meta-data of the material, such as copyrights and the information about the right of use. The ePrpoduction environment also offers the most important project management tools needed in the production group work.

Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences
The Finnish Online Online University of Applied Sciences (also called Finnish Online UAS or FOUAS) is a network (a virtual organization) formed by Finnish universities of applied sciences. It produces and offers good quality and competitive training services using modern information and communications technologies.

UAS Network
The UAS network is formed by the Finnish universities of applied sciences (UAS). The development unit coordinates and develops the services of the network in close cooperation with the experts from the universities of applied sciences.

Virtual organization
A virtual organization is a consortium, the make-up of which may change, of people or organizations connected through a data network. Its function is to carry out a set project or continuing actions. (M. Grönroos 2004: Mahdollisuuden aika - kohti virtuaalista organisaatiota)

Virtual studies
Virtual studies mean studies (a course, part of a course) not dependent on time and space, carried out by using either data networks or a CD learning package the student can use. The studies have been designed as independent units which can be evaluated independently and which consist of at least 1 credit. Virtual studies may contain different types of guidance, counseling or exam situations which may not necessarily be virtual. (AMKOTA 2005 handbook, Ministry of Education)