europe
European Skills Passport launched
The European Skills Passport, which helps people to assemble their skills and qualifications online, has now been launched by the European Commission.
The Passport enables people to improve the presentation of their CVs by bringing together their educational and training certificates in one place, providing evidence for the qualifications and skills declared in the CV. It is available for free in 26 languages on the Europass portal where an on-line editor helps users to create their individual passports. It complements the Europass CV which is used by more than 20 million Europeans.
By giving a clear and comprehensive picture of the skills and qualifications users refer to in their CVs, the European Skills Passport helps job-seekers to improve their chances on the labour market and employers to find qualified personnel.
The European Skills Passport is one of thirteen actions launched under the Commission's Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, which aims to make Europe's labour markets work better.
New VET and E-Learning Standard NP4512:2012 Now Available
The European Lifelong Learning Programme research project Q-Cert-VET has announced the availability of the new and tested VET standard NP4512 - “Training Management System, Including Technology-Enhanced Learning – Requirements” for certification bodies and training institutions.
The Q-Cert-VET project has announced that the standard NP 4512:2012 "Vocational training management system, including technology enhanced learning – requirements” is now available after initial testing and publication. Due to approval of certification scheme OEC010 by the Portuguese Institute for Accreditation (IPAC) on November 23rd, all certification bodies can apply to IPAC for accreditation and thus gain the ability to certify training institutions with the standard. Furthermore, all training institutions can now request accredited certification for their management system, if it has been implemented in accordance with the requirements of NP4512. “We are very satisfied with the progress of the standard and the potential it has shown in the first pilot-tests,” remarked Christian M. Stracke, scientific coordinator of the Q-Cert-VET project and ISO Convener of the international standard committee ISO/IEC JTC1 SC36 WG5 Quality Assurance and Descriptive Frameworks, “thus it is with great joy that we announce its general availability to all relevant certification bodies and training institutions.”
Q-Cert-VET partners in Portugal, Germany, and Romania responsible for pilot-testing have been active since the beginning of the public inquiry phase last April. Pilot-testing began in Portugal with the initial version of the standard in the Portuguese language, allowing for punctual testing without the need for translation. Two different training companies in Portugal, Prisma and iZone, have been using the standard to assist in structuring their training programmes. The Prisma Training Institute, located in Lisbon, has adopted NP 4512:2012 to its various training offers in the fields of IT and project management. iZone Knowledge Systems, also located in Lisbon, is using the standard in similar fields. Their use of the standard provided the first feedback on its practical advantages, helping to prepare the standard for its international application at Q-Cert-VET pilot-testing partners in Romania and Germany. They now await auditors to examine their implementation of NP4512 and to determine that it fulfils the prescribed requirements.
The implementation process of the Portuguese Standard NP4512:2012 at the Regional Training Centre for Local Public Administration Cluj-Napoca has been systematically and successfully carried out. Active preparations for the pilot test started in July 2012, before the Romanian version of the NP4512:2012 had been delivered and the actual implementation process could be started, the Romanian project team prepared themselves by getting familiar with ISO 9000:2005 and ISO 9001:2008, since CRFCAPL possessed no implemented quality management system and thus no experience with the terminology and requirements of such standards. However, this lack of specific knowledge proved to be no impediment at all for the conduct of the pilot testing. According to CRFCAPL, once the project team became acquainted with the Portuguese Standard all worries were lifted – the new standard successfully extracted the structure and requirements of ISO 9001:2008 and integrated them into the context of training institutions. Thus, most of the requirements seemed very precise and self-explanatory to the CRFCAPL team. The more complex requirements are accompanied by notes explaining terms and statements which could give raise to uncertainties. All of these, together with the very useful annexes which add informative value to the standard, provided great help during the implementation process. As soon as the training centre concludes its preparations, auditors trained in NP4512 will investigate its implementation in the Romanian context.
In Germany, Q-Cert-VET pilot-testing partner Helliwood Media & Education is underway with the implementation of NP4512 through certification scheme OEC010. Helliwood is currently identifying and defining the processes and sub-processes required for the structure of the new standard. As Helliwood had already implemented another standard, the “Quality Mark E-Learning” (QSEL), a comparison of the QSEL with the NP4512 made particularly evident the innovative aspects of the new NP4512 standard. The new standard fits Helliwood’s needs for E-Learning very well – their typical work processes include the development, implementation, and maintenance of professional multimedia and E-Learning applications for clients and in cooperation with different partners projects within the fields of learning and literacy, media competence, and community. As with the other pilot-testing companies, auditors trained in NP4512 will examine their implementation of the new standard, to ensure that the proper steps have been taken and that Helliwood’s identified work processes fit its requirements. Thus an example case for the applicability of the standard in the German national context will be established.
For more information on the Q-Cert-VET project and the standard NP4512, as well as more specific information concerning its pilot-testing phase (upon its conclusion), please visit the project website at www.edu-certification.eu/, like the project’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/QCertVET, and follow the project Twitter account at twitter.com/#!/QCertVET for the latest project news.
The Joy of Learning - Call for Papers
The European Distance and E-learning Network – EDEN announces its next annual conference to take place on 12-15 June 2013 in Oslo, Norway at the premises of The University of Oslo. The conference is organised in collaboration with NADE – Norwegian Association for Distance and Flexible Education. The EDEN 2013 Conference will discover and present the latest best practice in e-learning, open, distance and flexible learning, share progressive concepts, inventive solutions, and promote joint-thinking and collaboration. The Conference launched its Call for Contributions to academic staff, researchers, professionals and practitioners of the field. This year’s special strand focuses on mapping new technologies in school level education and training. The deadline for paper submissions is 5 February 2013, while registrations open mid-February.
The Conference
Academics, researchers, practitioners gather every year at the EDEN Annual conferences to discuss the latest developments of e-learning, open and distance education. These have been increasingly important fields of intellectual excitement and innovative development. The challenges posed by the new technologies are permanent, and students constantly keep teachers under pressure to develop. In Europe, despite economic and social pressures, there is a collective drive towards realising the creative potential. Learning is becoming more and more individualized and self-managed. Personalization helps foster engagement and supports awareness and motivation. The 2013 EDEN Annual Conference thus explores themes such as “Engaging and challenging learners” „Enhanced learning experience by participation and collaboration” or „Joy, Fun and ICTs”.
Call for Papers
The Call for Contribution launched recently invites full paper proposals for presentations in parallel sessions, poster submissions for short poster sessions as well as interactive, often with webinar combined workshops and short demonstrations that relate to the conference themes. The Conference Committee double peer reviews submissions and upon acceptance, paper submissions are published in the electronic Conference Proceedings and Book of Abstracts. The Best Research Paper title is awarded after the selection process takes place in collaboration with the Ulrich Bernath Foundation for Research in Open and
Distance Learning, with the support of a distinguished Jury. All full papers accepted for the conference quality automatically for the selection. The Award Ceremony takes place at the Conference Dinner.
The conference will be intensively supported and accompanied by social networking, sharing, online and virtual presence and involvement possibilities.
Hosted by...
Norway is a world leading country in openness, digitisation and modernisation of education. The University of Oslo is a top higher education institution in the country and
will ensure a stimulating environment, making the conference experience unique. Oslo has a special combination of city life and easy access to the great outdoors, the Oslo fjord and the forests. You may enjoy the view on the roof of the new Opera House, the new Ski Jump Holmenkollen, the old Vigelandparken Sculpture Park with 212 wonderful sculptures, the world's two best-preserved Viking ships from the 9th century and also the polar ships in Bygdøy. Or you may pay a visit to the Munch Museum and the Nobel Peace Center where all Nobel Peace Prize laureates throughout the years are presented on digital screens. Oslo is sometimes referred to as a most expensive city and this is true in for certain categories of services and goods. The average conference traveller however may be able to find reasonable solutions and there are still ways to enjoy the city without maxing out your credit card.
The partnership of the Norwegian Association for Distance and Flexible Education guarantees the smart involvement of the national distance and e-learning community and effective liaison with the Nordic stakeholders.
About EDEN
Established in 1991 as an international educational association and not-for-profit organisation, EDEN is open to institutions and individuals dealing with e-learning, and – more broadly speaking – open and distance education. It’s aim is to share knowledge and improve understanding amongst professionals in the field and to promote policy and practice across the whole of Europe and beyond. With more than 200 institutional members and over 1200 members in the Network of Academics and Professionals (NAP), EDEN assists a wide range of institutions, networks and individuals to become involved in professional information and networking activities. It does so through the organisation of acknowledged European conferences, its publications and information services, and by taking an active role in a wide range of important EU projects. EDEN has also proved successful with thematic activities such as the Open Classroom Working Group (school level distance education), and by contributing to, and promoting, ‘cutting edge’ research in the field. In addition, EDEN has also provided extensive secretarial support to the European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning (EURODL).
European Ministerial Level Conference on Opening up Education
The Ministerial Conference "Opening up education through technologies: Towards a more systemic use for a smart, social and sustainable growth in Europe" to be held in Oslo, Norway on 9-11 December 2012.
Sufficient return on public investments in education and our ability to innovate are today more important than ever for future growth, competitiveness and strong social cohesion. The conference will constitute a unique opportunity to capture the key issues that matter for a systemic approach to educational innovations which facilitate quality 21st century education for all. Our goal is to dedicate particular attention on how education and training systems can fully reap the benefits of modern technologies so as to create innovative ways of accessing learning content, building creative learning environments and fostering virtual learning communities.
As part of the Cyprus EU Presidency Program during the second half of 2012, the Conference will bring together Ministers of Education from the Member States of the European Union, candidate countries, as well as the EFTA States. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture will co-host the conference, in close cooperation with the European Commission. The debates will be stimulated by key notes from highly profiled international experts from both academia and the private sector and will aim at identifying good practices at national level.
Input from the recently closed EC Consultation on the topic of "Opening up Education - a proposal for a European Initiative to enhance education and skills development through new technologies" will be presented at the Conference.
Grundtvig course in Rome on Personalization in Adult Learning
Improve your skills attending a Grundtvig course in Rome. Apply for a Grundtvig grant to attend the course on Personalization in Adult Learning; the deadline for application is september 17, 2012.
If you are a teacher, a trainer, or part of non-teaching staff involved in adult education, you can improve and upgrade your professional skills attending a Grundtvig course in Rome.
Association educommunity promotes an in-service course to develop skills in the field of Personalization in Adult Education.
The course aims to spread and improve personalization culture, to show a model of intervention shared at European level and to introduce the guidelines to design and produce learning personalized experiences for adult and elderly people.
Course sessions: session 1: 11-15 march, 2013; session 2: 02-06 april, 2013.
The deadline for grant application is september 17, 2012.
The course is registered in Comenius-Grundtvig Training Database.
Detailed information about the programme and next steps to take in applying for Grundtvig grant is available in our educommunity blog.
If you are interested, write to mobilty@educommunity.it for the pre-registration and further information about the course.
European Design Innovation SUmmit 2012
The main event of the European Design Innovation Initiative in 2012 will be held on September 17 and 18 in Helsinki, World Design Capital in 2012. The report of the European Design Leadership Board “DESIGN FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY” will be presented and discussed during the event
The European Design Leadership Board was established in early 2011 by Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Enterprise and Industry. Vice President Tajani invited the Leadership Board to provide recommendations on how to enhance the role of design in innovation policy in Europe at the national, regional or local level and to develop a joint vision, priorities and actions to enable design to become an integral part of innovation policies in Europe, in line with the Innovation Union. Over a period of one year, the European Design Leadership Board held seven meetings and a co-design policy workshop with over fifty key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, the design industries and the public sector.
Taking a broad-based view of design, the Leadership Board identified twenty-one policy recommendations, in six strategic areas for design action:
- European design on the global stage
- Design in Europe’s Innovation system
- Design in Europe’s enterprises
- Design in Europe’s public sector
- Design in Europe’s research system
- Design in Europe’s education system
The twenty-one recommendations will be spelled out during the Summit. All participants will receive a copy of the report “DESIGN FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY”
The Summit will be hosted by the City of Helsinki and is expected to start at 16.30 on 17 September and to close at 15.30 on 18 September. The audience is limited to 200 participants and will be completed in the order of registration. REGISTER NOW!
The European Design Innovation Blog is constantly updated and provides most recent news about the Summit.
EU granted training courses in Greece
Develop new skills even as you share intercultural experiences in an enjoyable setting like Greece. Funding is available through the LLL Programme, and the deadline for applications is September 17, 2012.
Service training grants are now available for participation in lifelong learning programs offered in Piraeus or at the summer resort Loutra Oraias Elenis, in Korinthos, Greece. Courses are organized by IDEC and aimed at those working at schools and training organizations registered in the Grundtvig - Comenius database.
Projected courses for 2012 - 2013 include:
- International Development Officer (Grundtvig, Comenius)
- Stress Prevention in Training Organisations (Grundtvig)
- Stress Prevention in Schools (Comenius)
- Evaluation and Quality Assurance (Comenius)
- Software Assisted Skills Assessment Methodology (Comenius)
Learning new skills, or sharpening old ones, is an essential component of professional and personal development, and an affordable endeavour thanks to scholarships from your National Agency. The deadline for grant applications is September 17, 2012.
If you are interested in participating, register on-line or fill in the registration form and return it by e-mail (natassa@idec.gr) or fax: +30 210 4286228. The number of participants in each training course is 16 and applications will be treated in priority order.
Open Discovery Space
ODS is the result of collaboration between 51 organisations from 23 countries. The aim is to create a socially-powered, multilingual open learning infrastructure to boost the adaptation of eLearning Resources in Europe.
Objectives:
- To empower stakeholders through a single, integrated access point for eLearning resources from dispersed educational repositories
- To engage stakeholders in the production of meaningful educational activities by using a social-network style multilingual portal, offering eLearning resources as well as services for the production of educational activities;
- To assess the impact of the new educational activities, which could serve as a prototype to be adopted by stakeholders in school education
Expected results:
Upon the completion of this project, Open Discovery Space will have contributed to the modernisation of school education, supported stakeholders in acquiring digital competences, stimulated demand for innovative eLearning resources and engaged teachers and pupils in the development of innovative educational practices. Crucially, this project will strengthen European integration by increasing cooperation across state borders, bringing together different cultures and supporting multi-lingual practices.
More information about the innovative aspects of this project is available on the ODS home page.
Europa 2111
Through the work of the partnership – 9 members coming from different European countries - it focuses on the development of new Educational tools and new forms of Training, combining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the need to explore in its complexity the developing concept of European Identity.
Digital media have an important role both in everyday life and in Culture and therefore a role to play in Education and Training, offering the opportunity to learn within both informal and formal approach and responding to the needs to improve and update an educational system in a Europe living a great generational change.
The project seeks to develop a pedagogical approach for Key/Transversal Competences acquisition, which is based on the use of media production and specifically on the production of Audio-visual Documentaries. By creating the methodological basis for this technical product, the project translates a specific technical process, into a learning tool.
Moreover, in order to satisfy the need to study the changing perception of European Identity at its various socio-geographical levels, the main theme underlining the project is “Imagining Europe in 2111”. The different partners will apply these principles within the boundaries of their respective countries and will exchange information and know-how in order to draw a comprehensive outline of the evolving European consciousness, projected into the future.
The objectives are:
- To develop a new pedagogical tool applicable to different target groups and, what is more important, to both informal and formal learning contexts. The “Video-Doc Making” becomes a new learning model, through which the project develops an educational method designed to promote growth and enhancement of the person. Referring to social constructivism, the product must work as a cultural heritage. Each step of the process allows to acquire knowledge and to live constructive experiences.
- To promote key competences acquisition, both for the partners and the target groups: each of the necessary steps for the Audiovisual product corresponds to a specific competence area. Besides, the complementary nature of the Partnership is functional to the development of a shared activity based on the exchange of information and know-how.
- That applies also to the promotion of a new didactic path: the sharing of knowledge is the foundation of the model promoted by the project. Not a traditional vertical approach to teaching but a network environment breeding on the exchange.
- Accordingly, the partners will provide training to different target groups in order to promote both ICT use and Key and Transversal competence acquisition throughout the whole lifelong learning domains.
Join the project by clicking here!