recommendations on exploitation of results
of previous projects
EXPERIENCES GAINES IN
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
During the first project meeting in Udine, Italy,
several projects were presented as best practice examples, which can bring the
partners new ideas for training possibilities.
The presented project can furthermore deliver input
for the design of “outdoor ICT” and support the exchange between the partners
through sharing methods and content. Following that, this document contains
descriptions of various projects, which were presented at this meeting. The
first project was carried out by Università delle LiberEtà
GRUNDTVIG LEARNING
PARTNERSHIP “A Sense of Place: presenting your locality”
This partnership between four residential learning
centers has been targeting adults , including those who are socially
disadvantaged through limited access to education. It addressed a common need
to build confidence and self-esteem and it promoted a spirit of sharing and
cultural learning, garnering enthusiasm to engage proactively with those from
similar backgrounds in an international context.
Four groups of 16 eligible volunteers, typically over
40 years old, from communities near to each residential partner’s base each
attended a 4 day Hosting Skills workshop at their respective residential
colleges. This provided them with skills in presenting to others, help in
finding out about the history, geography and popular culture of each locality.
Subsequently, each national group planned, organized
and hosted a 5 day Guest Visit for 8 participants from each of three partners.
These four transnational visits took place in April and September 2010, and in
February and June 2011. At each guest visit, host group members acted as guides
and facilitators for their guests, presenting what was of particular interest
to them. In a residential setting, friendships have been formed and
participants have shared and learnt about three other cultures, their languages
and lifestyles.
It has been a really interesting experience on
different regards and therefore we believe that the following information can
be useful into the implementation of the Outdoor ICT project and other similar
ones:
BEST PRACTICES
Within this project there has been an important social
interaction, where the following best practices or key achievements can be
highlighted:
• Receiving
and giving encouragement
• Being
critical and sharing ideas
• Building
trust and valuing others
• Clarifying,
negotiating, challenging, learning
• Enhancing
self-esteem through ‘achievement’
INNOVATIVE
CHARACTER
Within this
project individuals had the possibility to be independent, self-motivated and
willing to participate in the programme, with a level of native language and
social and life skills, appropriate to understanding information geared to the
general public. They have been able to
complete clearly defined tasks with appropriate support. They have lived
locally and therefore have had some knowledge and likely interest in their
locality. They have been prepared to see things anew and keen to find out more
about people and cultural legacy across Europe. What they were lacking and that
they have gained through this experience
has been the self-confidence
to work with others , the raising of their self-esteem and contributing to a
sense of well-being.
SUSTAINABLE
STRATEGIES
Through
working with similar target groups, Partners recognised the positive impact
that experiential learning, particularly based in a learning setting, can have.
The increased opportunity for meeting those from diverse backgrounds,
traditions and experiences which this partnership provided, helped further
broaden perspective, and learning insights into other localities and promoted
more active citizenship and involvement in the participants’ own communities.
Participation in these learning activities had the possibility to increase the
chances of individuals seeking and taking advantage of further participation in
their own learning development and to encourage others within their community.
The project provided participants with a range of skills which would be
transferable back into their community.
This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This publication
[communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information
contained therein.
In this project, the partner saw the possibilitiy to employ and attach
elderly persons to their cities, done through training. Also Outdoor ICT is
involved and included.
Even though the following project of the Austrian partner “The
Carinthian Folkshighschools”, takes place “only” in classrooms, it is mobile in
rural areas.
LEADER PROJECT “Learning moves! Innovative forms of learning ICT for
women in rural regions”
Learning moves
is an open and flexible training offer that makes participants to learner. The
target groups are educationally disadvantaged women, which are trained directly
in their local communities. In order to reach out to the target group, we
cooperate very closely with the community councils and the mayors. We ask them
to send out invitations to the information-event “to all households“.
Interested women can register for the information-event directly at the town
hall, which also takes place in premises of the town hall.
The content of
the workshops are ICT and learning competences, while the focus lies on the
practical usage of the internet. Also learning how to learn and setting
realistic goals is of importance.
Supported are
the women by trainers which are also acting as learning-coaches.
At the first
module the course content is transferred mainly by the trainer.
At the second
module - through e-government - the women are made aware of the practicalities
and benefits of the internet. The women are learning mainly through guiding
texts and already materials, while the learning coach withdraws and only
assists if all other supporting possibilities were used. The highlight of the
course is the final presentation in festive manner. We present the participants
in public and make them visible.
BEST PRACTICES
Making learners from participants
The women learn ICT-Basics and learning skills for
independence by learning in the future.
We use playful methods for more fun in the courses and
because of a better retentiveness.
INNOVATIVE
CHARACTER
Learning/training in local communities with regard to
the structural conditions of the women.
Reach out the target group by cooperating with the
local community councils and the mayors.
SUSTAINABLE
STRATEGIES
First results
of our evaluation show that the women are more confident in working with the
computer, that they buy new devices, install programs and in particular use the
internet and e-mail. Moreover they are motivated to continue learning.
We implement
the new methods in our classical courses and develop new course-concepts. We
transfer the know-how to other trainers.
Who invented it?? The mobile-ICT workshop and the learning-network were
invented by Prisma (Centre for training and jobs, Voitsberg) in the framework
of an EU-Project and the development-partnership „learn forever“. It was
transferred to the adult education centers Carinthia in 2008.
The procurement
of ICT-skills for older generations is also very relevant in the following
project and linked with cultural and historical heritage.
GRUNDTVIG PROJECT(2009- 2011) “HEuRIT(AGE)”
HEURIT(AGE)
deals with senior citizens learning groups, promoting their cultural and historical
heritage and developing their European citizenship, in dialogue with younger
generations and using new technologies.
During the
project a multilingual searchable web tool has been developed. This tool
"www.heuritage.eu" offers local groups and communities a web platform
to upload pictures, movies, documents from the past. By doing this, they built
up a global local memory site from localities all over Europe. All local groups
and partner organizations can share memories on community life and patrimony in
a multilingual database web tool; pictures, stories and movies from the past.
BEST PRACTICES
Each partner
organization worked on a own rhythm and structure with senior citizens groups:
some partners organized computer courses how to deal with images, others
organized on regular base workshops on the same theme or brought together small
groups of seniors citizens on the theme of local heritage.
The web
platform was the general outcome from the project, but besides that local
partners developed publications and other forms of presentations on the local
heritage, brought together by senior citizens.
INNOVATIVE CHARACTER
The innovative character comes from the fact that we
have a collection of very simple pictures whose subject is just real life but,
because of the explanation which goes along with the photos, he becomes a
testimony of the past for the BIG HISTORY and a transfer of memories for the
next generation.
SUSTAINABLE
STRATEGIES
The Heuritage web
platform is an ongoing process, open for all local organizations in Europe.
This project
has been funded with support from the European Commission. This
publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the
Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein
The following
project presents something new for all partners: the intention to use ICT for
transnational activities and also to research and as innovative in Natural sciences.
This project is coordinated by the Senior University of Evora:
GRUNDTVIG LEARNING PARTNERSHIP “Project Natural
Sciences for Adult Learners Natur(S)_AL”
All
Institutions in the partnership work with adult education. The idea of a
project considering natural sciences seemed very good idea considering
specifically four main areas in which we intent to act: Community;
intergenerational relations; gender and ICT.
Community,
because we want to open the doors of our work and make it available to the
community living around us.. Natural Sciences are the perfect aim for captivate
new learners and explore realities around us and show them to the community.
Intergenerational
relations are a path to relate adult learners with children and make profitable
relations and atmospheres, considering the adults knowledge and life experience
in opposite with children’s.
In the
activities of the partners there are a highest number of learners’ women,
meaning that men are not so available or motivated to participate in
educational activities. Considering natural sciences we believe that it’s an
area that allows both man and women to participate, but within we can see
different subjects that are more specific for men and some for women.
We can use ICT
in the learning of natural science as an instrument of research, knowledge,
developing subjects and work in groups or individual. The use of ICT in adult
learners can also be considerate a very innovative way of doing experiments.
Transnational activities can also be done using ICT resources.
BEST PRACTICES
To
execute this project, first we’ve identified the following problems:
—
big distance
and no relation between different generations
—
low number of men in educational activities
—
low interest in natural sciences area
—
low interest in keep the environment around us
— difficulties
using new technologies
To solve the mentioned problems we’ve chosen, as best
practices to:
—
Create and
develop an activity that encourages learners to take an active role in the net.
Gather and test different approaches to achieve this active involvement.
—
To apply the
concepts acquired from the partnership over one or more courses with our own
learners.
—
Write out new
curriculum for the college on natural sciences, environment protection and
sustainable development.
—
To implement
the good practices in the methodology of senior's teaching.
—
Approach
natural sciences considering some uncommon practices.
—
Create, develop
and update a website for the project activities.
—
Do
experimental workshop where master plans are carried out in the fields of the
environment, welfare, cultural assets and environmental protection.
—
Organize
common learning activities for the children and old people - intergenerational
relations.
—
Share
materials and experiences considering previous activities in Natural Sciences.
INNOVATIVE
CHARACTER
In this project we consider very innovative the
possibility to work in four main areas, in order to solve some identified
problems:
-
ICT
-
Age
-
Community
-
Intergenerational Relations
SUSTAINABLE
STRATEGIES
Within
our institutions our sustainable strategies are to make an approach to the
community, to promote intergenerational relations, to allow both men and women
to participate in educational activities, but especially men and finally to use
ICT to transnational activities and also to research and as an innovative tool
in Natural sciences.
This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This publication
[communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information
contained therein.
The final project presented in this document, is carried out by the
spanish partner, which carried out a needs assessement (with questionnaire)
among the target group +45 and can therefore deliver very useful information
for all partners. Furthermore Aula de Maiores de le Universidad de Malaga
offers importatn inputs for a successfull design of outdoor ICT projects.
GRUNDTVIG
LEARNING PARTNERSHIP E-COM+45 “E-Competences and e-communication for People
from their Mid-forties and Seniors”
We can state that the first aim of our project was to
adopt a multidisciplinary approach to ICT (Information and Communication
Technologies) education for people from their mid-to-late forties and seniors
in order to analyze crucial aspects underlying this issue. In particular, we
were interested in aspects such as: (a) how these people can integrate
themselves in the current scenario designed by the application of ICT in new
forms of work organization and new opportunities of employment or civil
engagement, (b) how to encourage them to have a longer working life either as
professionals or as volunteers, or (c) which pedagogical methods and practices
can most effectively promote learning processes for that purpose. All in all,
our aim was to give answers to the following research questions:
(1) What does this population segment want to learn
regarding ICT to improve their skills in order to enlarge and improve their
working or social life?
(2) Which are the main pedagogical methodologies and
practices that the different partners use?
(3) How effective are such pedagogical methods and
practices with our senior students?
The participants of the 7 institutions from all over
Europe:
- have explored subjects together,
- have shared ideas on teaching methods and
techniques,
- have exchanged ideas on topics concerning the
main interests of this population segment, and
- have discussed about best practices carried
out.
The research methodology has been extensively based on
questionnaires. Moreover, participants have exchanged visits organized by the
different participating teams alternatively which have proved invaluable in
enabling the teaching/researching staff to experience first-hand other teaching
techniques and models and thus improve their own practices. But central to this
project has been the fact that the students themselves have been invited to
play an active role in the development of it by cooperating to achieve the
goals of the project. Students exchange visits and regular contact by the
internet have enabled them to reach common topics of interest in ICT that have
certainly nourished our own conception of the state of the art.
We were of the view that ICT learning and the
development of e-competences on their part could facilitate both their
integration and also a higher standard of living to this group of population in
several ways:
1. It may enhance their everyday tasks (shopping,
arranging medical appointment, general information search, etc.) even if they
are physically handicapped.
2. It may strengthen their social links (social
groups, blogs, chats, etc.) and hence improve their perceived quality of life
at the realization that isolation does not exist any longer.
3. It may empower them to become familiar with and
develop a new form of work organization, such us E-work, particularly useful
for promoting the qualification of the weakest segments of the society1 .
Regarding the suggestions we would like to make, based
on our previous experience with reference to aspects of innovation and sustainability
aiming at succeeding, the following seem of particular relevance:
BEST PRACTICES
A good plan to disseminate the results through
adequate means and events, enhancing access to reliable materials through the
internet, and supporting it also with other mass media communication (printed
press, TV, radio, Facebook, and so on) that may echo the conclusions achieved
is also of importance.
Another aspect that should never be neglected is the
attention to the materials created while the project is being implemented,
whatever their nature: written materials, power point presentations, videos,
etc. All of them must have a carefully designed layout (colour, aspect,
typology of letters, images, etc.) so that it is motivating. Also, the
information must be well organized and be reader-friendly with indexes, charts,
summaries or mind maps. The interface is of remarkable importance in the case
of on-line materials.
INNOVATIVE CHARACTER
It is important to take into account the target
group’s point of view, in this case, seniors with an open mind, flexible, and
eager to live new leisure experiences and to improve their digital competences
through geocaching. Passing questionnaires and making interviews, knowing their
opinion first hand so as to include it in the implementation of the teaching
materials are just about essential keystones to guarantee the success of any
project. Interestingly, it seems to us essential to build a learning community
so that we can interact with them all the time long while the project is being
implemented. The feedback we can obtain is critical in order to obtain valuable
and quality results.
SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES
Moreover, it seems essential to involve local
institutions as much as possible so that they contribute to achieve the pursued
goals. They can facilitate useful resources for the project (contacts, access
to mass media, dissemination local events, etc.) as well. It is very important
that the community surrounding the project appreciates not only the potential
usefulness of it, but also the manifold benefits associated with it.
This project has been
funded with support from the European Commission. This publication
[communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information
contained therein.
This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This publication
[communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information
contained therein