The use of HILL online e-learning environment in language teaching

Due to an increasing number of adult students there is a need to create new forms of teaching. Blended or online learning is nowadays current practice also in language teaching, with new technical solutions constantly being taken into use. At Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in Finland, HILL, an online lecture system and e-learning environment is used in teaching. The aim of HILL is to provide adult students with an e-learning environment that facilitates combining of studies, work and family life. Students can follow lectures via HILL from anywhere and interact with the lecturer or participants. Sessions can also be recorded. The HILL concept was developed in cooperation between SAMK, IBM, Cisco and AKG. It has been used in teaching since 2010. For example, in November 2014 there were about 300 HILL sessions and 3000 users, and the number is increasing rapidly. Languages have been taught in SAMK via HILL since 2012. This is a case study concentrating on the possibilities and challenges that blended learning via HILL has brought into language learning.