The document discusses an online virtual school in Italy called NEST that provides free video lectures and courses open to all users. It allows users to choose between profiles as a professor, student, or community member. Strengths include its free registration and content, well organized topics, and ability for interaction. Weaknesses include reliance on voluntary participation that could slow growth and lack of some subjects. The service is funded through sponsorships and collaborations. Feedback and community are important drivers for developing similar educational projects.

1. Oilproject Case study Giantommaso D’Astolto NEST project Alta ScuolaPolitecnica VII cycle

2. What is it? Italian on-line virtual school with free lectures open to all users. The service is build up on the concepts of community and voluntary participation

3. Homepage In the homepage we have the possibility to sign up (registration is free) , select one of the lectures from the database or connect to an on-going online talkshow

5. Student : can rate topics, participate to talkshows, watch uploaded lectures and ask questions

7. Strengths/1 The service is completely free The registration is free, but you don’t even need to register to access to most of the content!

8. Strengths/2 The content is well organised, therefore the research is fast and simple Moreover there are several topics regarding today’s life

9. Strengths/3 Possibility of interaction through forums and chats Besides there is some sort of feedback in order to evaluate the quality of the material

10. Weaknesses/1 The voluntary nature of the service may slow down its growth Some “classical” subjects, such as maths are still missing There is need for a management of the feedback system

11. Business model The service is completely free and the participation is voluntary, as we said All the costs are covered through sponsorships There are also collaborations for promoting the service

12. Conclusions and take-aways The idea is very catchy, especially the focus on everydaylife’s topics, such as Economics The role of feedback and the importance of the community should be considered as drivers for the development of this kind of projects It is important to manage the rating system and evaluate whether a source of information is trustworthy or not