methodology

The purpose of this project - funded by the EU programme Leonardo da Vinci - is to educate vocational teachers in a range of e-learning methods, innovations and technologies to better prepare them for a rapidly changing workplace and, hence, to connect them with a new generation of learners.

The iEducate project transfers learning technology innovations developed in European and other projects which were originally developed for and with learners to vocational education and training professionals (VETPROS) across Europe. The project developed an e-learning course on Learning Technologies, a virtual teacher training island in Second Life with virtual workshops and resources, an interactive web 2.0 Website and live training courses. The project website also provides lots of resources to download, use and develop further.

The idea is to achieve a reciprocal arrangement whereby VETPROS in receipt of training/support are encouraged to provide ideas on how they have implemented technologies in their learning for use by others, thus forming a continuous cycle of exchange and transfer across Europe.

The partnership is made up of six partners from the UK, Sweden, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany and combines a wide range of complementary skills and expertise including expertise on technologies for learning/e-learning, access to vast numbers of VETPROS across Europe, research, evaluation, experience and contacts to facilitate an effective dissemination/valorisation process.

Vocational teachers and trainers can also participate in our thematic working groups to exchange ideas and experiences with European colleagues in the area of:

• Self employment and enterprise
• Media, language and communication
• Culture and heritage
• ICT and Disabilities

The project regularly organises transnational meetings. It is the aim of every project meeting to involve national stakeholders, teachers and trainers, people from IT companies etc. for an exchange about the topic.

The important input given supports the team members in their work and guarantees the creation of customised and useful offers for vocational education.

The e-learning course “Approaches to e-Learning & Developing a paedagogically sound e-Learning course” developed within the project and offered from June 2011, with a duration of 12 weeks is open for registration on the iEducate project website.

This course is suitable both for those with little or no knowledge in developing e-learning or those wishing to formalise their existing knowledge and gain an accreditation in the subject of e-learning. This course is particularly suitable for the following groups:

• Trainers or vocational teachers who wish to gain skills and knowledge in developing e-learning to support their teaching practice
• IT developers who wish to understand pedagogical principles and effective ways of embedding learning into e-learning.
• People with a responsibility for overseeing the development of e-learning within their organisation but have little prior knowledge of e-learning development.