a successful Adult Learning Model & International Collaboration using an online learning platform Ioana Ursache, EuroEd Foundation, Romania Simon Crowe, Westminster Adult Education Service, UK

Project coordinates n 2-year Leonardo da Vinci project Co-ordinator: Norwegian Institute for Adult Learning (VOX) Partnership: Norway, UK, Spain, Romania, Sweden n Aim Develop, pilot, release model for improving the New Basic Skills at the workplace – communication, ICT, teamwork, intercultural awareness n Target –2 areas of activity: Health & Care, Tourism Participants’ profile: risking marginalization at work, typically less qualified workers, 1 st language not English n Evaluation: Ongoing during piloting (4 rounds), by both tutors and participants After each pilot round: refinements to model Overall internal evaluation: focused on the process Overall external evaluation: focused on the product

The InterAct Model n Role-play problem-solving exercises –5 step scenario on work-related topics n Use of a simple online platform –tutored online meetings of national teams –staged release of information by tutors –creation/organization/sharing of documents –mail conferences/forum/chat

Step 1 Relationship building Target Skills: Communication - Exchange personal information using online communication. - Summarise and present information using images and text. ICT - Use an online platform. - Create html. with text and images Getting to know each other… Interview and write an introduction to members of another group - match your description to the person’s photograph.

Step 2 - Research Target Skills Information Technology - Plan and use different search facilities to locate and select information - Present information using images and text (as.html) A group of Europeans are coming on a round trip to the areas you have chosen. They will stay for 3 days in each area. Plan and present 5 activities which meet the stated criteria.

Step 3 - Negotiation Target Skills Problem Solving - Listen and respond sensitively to others, and develop points and ideas. - Structure what you say so that your reasoning and ideas may be easily followed, and understood. The European Commission announces a reduction in the project budget. You are requested you to negotiate a reduction in the number of activities from 25 to 17 according to the set criteria.

Step 4 - Collaboration Target Skills Problem Solving - Explore problem, analyse features, agree on how to present results ICT - Create a Power Point presentation using text, images, animation. The Commission asks each group to make a PowerPoint presentation of 2 of the remaining activities. In order to ensure objectivity you must make your presentation about another group’s activities

Step 5 - Review Target Skills (Self)Evaluation - Assess and comment on work done - Reflect on own achievements and progress Working with others - Agree and report how teamwork has been successful and objectives have been met - Suggest ways of improving teamwork to help achieve results The commission wishes to judge the the activities... You give your points according to how good you find the activities in terms of environmental friendliness... You must be prepared to justify your decisions.

The InterAct Model benefits for participants

Practised and improved n Language and communication skills n ICT skills n Teamwork n Intercultural awareness n Confidence n Motivation

The InterAct Model benefits for the project team

Successful Ingredients n Using the same online platform for project management –Increased familiarity with it in the pilot rounds –Instrumental in model development n Combination: periodical project meetings + work on online platform –Sense of continuity –Flexibility –Efficient model development and project management –Inclusiveness in decision making n The personality factor –Excellent working relationship and emerging friendships Developing a creative “buzz” and sense of common identity as the “InterActors”

Some challenges n Pedagogical concerns –script design accurately addressing learning aims participants’ skills, interests, needs and objectives –success depends greatly on tutor’s qualities n Organizational concerns –convincing the management –freeing employees from other responsibilities –setting up simultaneous online meetings n Technical concerns –adequate equipment –power and/or internet connection failures

The InterAct Potential n Target: institutions and companies opportunities for employees to develop New Basic Skills induction programs for new-comers learning and business partnerships across borders management of international project partnerships Education and training providers n Total flexibility local, national, international inter-disciplinary and/or cross-sectorial targeted skills – general or specific scenario – theme, complexity level of difficulty fictitious scenario vs. real life choice of online platform (e.g. Moodle)

InterAct International Conference n Date –September 21-23, 2006 n Venue –Iasi, Romania n Highly demonstrative –also organized as a Grundtvig 3 course n Excellent opportunity to visit Romania –educational discovery trips after the conference n Contact: –