1. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria1 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 “Individualisation in the learning process” “Individualisation in the learning process” and the role of “GÖD-Lehrer” and the role of “GÖD-Lehrer”

2. ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 “Individualisation in the learning process” has been one of the magic words in education policy of the last years. Teacher- centered instruction as a synonym for the one and only learning organisation is gone. Educational institutions will develop from places of teaching and input-oriented knowledge transfer to a forum of discussing knowledge transfer, attitudes and opinions between the generations and cultures, with clear common responsibilities for the aims of the learning process.

3. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria3 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 The learners should have more freedom to design the mode, the time schedule or the way, how her/his talents are involved in the learning community. The transfer of these aims into the real classrooms is still far from realization in Austria, because the classes brim over with more than 30 students and the environment is not fit for group work or individual learning. But there is common consensus, that information technologies and virtual learning communities are an important part of the individual learning future. The learners should have more freedom to design the mode, the time schedule or the way, how her/his talents are involved in the learning community. The transfer of these aims into the real classrooms is still far from realization in Austria, because the classes brim over with more than 30 students and the environment is not fit for group work or individual learning. But there is common consensus, that information technologies and virtual learning communities are an important part of the individual learning future.

4. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria4 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 Some approaches towards learning concepts based on individualisation are discussed now: Some approaches towards learning concepts based on individualisation are discussed now:  Individualisation according to (e)contents and learning scenarios;  Individualisation according to places and timetables of learning;  Social impact on learning and self competence;  Evaluation and assessment of individual learning processes.

5. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria5 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 Since e-learning was introduced at secondary schools in Austria in 1998, notebook classes and learning platforms have been established and after some years clear constructivistic learning arrangements have been realized. Since e-learning was introduced at secondary schools in Austria in 1998, notebook classes and learning platforms have been established and after some years clear constructivistic learning arrangements have been realized. This development marks one important milestone on the way to more individualization by introducing e-learning methods at school. But it also marks a milestone for teachers-training and education! This development marks one important milestone on the way to more individualization by introducing e-learning methods at school. But it also marks a milestone for teachers-training and education!

6. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria6 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 As a consequence of e-learning, interdisciplinary and cross-curricular approaches should be strengthened. Administration will be changed from class-oriented to individual learning paths. As a consequence of e-learning, interdisciplinary and cross-curricular approaches should be strengthened. Administration will be changed from class-oriented to individual learning paths. This means new and additional challenges for the teachers! This means new and additional challenges for the teachers!

7. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria7 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 New roles for teachers New roles for teachers The role concept of teachers must be enhanced: additionally to his/her role as an expert in presentation he/she must also take on the role of an evaluator of self-organized processes: The role concept of teachers must be enhanced: additionally to his/her role as an expert in presentation he/she must also take on the role of an evaluator of self-organized processes: Expert Trainer Coach Evaluator Expert Trainer Coach Evaluator

8. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria8 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 New Roles for Students New Roles for Students Also the learning reflection and evaluation concept must be enhanced. First of all students should become qualified to reflect their learning path, to evaluate their own abilities (1) and to give feedback to others(2). Most of the help and fault finding should be covered by the learning community, before teachers evaluate the work (3). Therefore evaluation corresponds to the following pattern: Also the learning reflection and evaluation concept must be enhanced. First of all students should become qualified to reflect their learning path, to evaluate their own abilities (1) and to give feedback to others(2). Most of the help and fault finding should be covered by the learning community, before teachers evaluate the work (3). Therefore evaluation corresponds to the following pattern:

9. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria9 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 Self evaluation -> Self evaluation -> Peer evaluation -> Peer evaluation -> External evaluation External evaluation

10. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria10 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 Approach Virtual Laboratory Approach Virtual Laboratory In the last years new concepts of engineering education and e-learning environments in the laboratories have been improved at colleges of engineering in Austria (students aged 14 to 19). Some important elements are studies, whether systems in laboratories and construction lessons can be substituted or even completed by virtual systems and simulations. In the last years new concepts of engineering education and e-learning environments in the laboratories have been improved at colleges of engineering in Austria (students aged 14 to 19). Some important elements are studies, whether systems in laboratories and construction lessons can be substituted or even completed by virtual systems and simulations.

11. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria11 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 In a project technical and didactical solutions In a project technical and didactical solutions of virtual laboratory concepts have been of virtual laboratory concepts have been approved of. Online labs and laboratory approved of. Online labs and laboratory simulations play an important role as an simulations play an important role as an enrichment for theoretical lessons and for enrichment for theoretical lessons and for preparations of laboratory work of the students preparations of laboratory work of the students especially in VET. especially in VET.

12. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria12 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 By the means of the Austrian education By the means of the Austrian education authorities „the implementation of innovative authorities „the implementation of innovative and expanded learning strategies could now be and expanded learning strategies could now be realized at an undefined dimension by using realized at an undefined dimension by using digital environments and devices. digital environments and devices. Futur(e)Learning intends to encourage pioneers Futur(e)Learning intends to encourage pioneers and settled teachers as well.“ and settled teachers as well.“

13. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria13 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 The role of the Austrian Teachers Union in the field of e-learning: 1. Prevention against the misuse of teachers pioneering spirit by the employer. 2. Fighting for less students in a classroom. 3. Succeeding in getting better environment and working conditions in classrooms and schools. 4. Separating teachers work from the technical assistance and care of the systems.

14. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria14 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 5. Considering the increase of administrational work by changing from class-oriented to individual learning paths in working hours of teachers. 6. Training for teachers introducing e-learning methods at school has to be provided and financed by the employer. 7. Access to Internet for all teachers free of charges.

15. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria15 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 8. In initial education „Blended learning“ should assist direct learning and not replace it. 9. VE(ducation)T should not be reduced only to training using the instrument of e-learning. 10. We consider e-learning as a useful instrument and additional alternative in LLL.

16. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria16 11. Approval of the expenditures (PC equipment etc.) for the teachers “third workplace” at home by tax exemption. 12. Providing legal protection for teachers in the field of copyrights and the respect of intellectual property.

17. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria17 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 Finally the union has to find a way between protecting the teachers from negative results of the introduction of new techniques like ICT, but not playing the alleged role of preventing progress in technology and science. Finally the union has to find a way between protecting the teachers from negative results of the introduction of new techniques like ICT, but not playing the alleged role of preventing progress in technology and science.

18. Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria18 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009 Danke für die Aufmerksamkeit! Danke für die Aufmerksamkeit! Thank you for your attention