DIVERSELY CODING: coding for improving the social inclusion Erasmus Project

Project Title

DIVERSELY CODING: coding for improving the social inclusion

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); Disabilities – special needs

Project Summary

diversamente coding is an Erasmus+ project to develop a training course enabling people with disabilities to learn digital skills + programming competences.
Our target group is people aged between 18-55 who are deaf or hard of hearing. Why have we chosen this target group? Deaf or hard of hearing persons have additional skills in communication, perception and visualisation. They are used to using alternative and creative means to communicate and interact with hearing people. The project built on this valuable skill set.
diversamente coding enabled the target group to augment their real-world skills, training them to become producers of digital culture. In fact, the project simply applied the skills the target group already possesses. Inclusive teamwork was a vital element, encouraging great social interaction and building intercultural bridges.
A transnational survey on the digital competencies and skills of our target group was carried out.
To be more specific, some of the most important findings from the survey at transnational level are the following:
– 170 deaf people from 5 European countries took part;
– 50 organisations and associations working with Deaf communities participated;
– Interest in further training in digital skills and programming was high.
– Learning with a mentor or learning with partners or friends was resulted as the best learning method to be implemented.
– Quizzes and competitions were the most popular interactive exercises.
From the survey it was also pointed out that people who are deaf and hearing-impaired see the need to improve their digital literacy skills and are looking for training opportunities that are tailored to their specific requirements (i.e. accessible training methods and materials with a particular focus on visual strengths and bilingualism – in Sign Language and written language).
With these skills, the survey participants hope to put themselves in a better position to overcome barriers to employment, and find skilled and well-paid jobs. Being a part of the digital world will facilitate greater societal inclusion of people who are Deaf or hearing-impaired.
Thus, the findings of the survey provided an analysis of training needs. These were used to develop a training methodology and training content. Using a blended learning format, training content was incorporated into an e-learning platform. More specifically, the platform content includes educational materials such as tutorials, videos, documents, links, articles and useful tips – which areavailable in English,in German, in Greek and in Spanish.The diversamente coding Consortium decided to use Scratch to introduce coding to the target group. Scratch is a programming language, developed by the MIT Media Lab and released in 2007. Scratch 3.0 is a great tool for introducing coding to all ages. Scratch can be used when developing various multimedia projects such as: video games, interactive storytelling, animations, and graphical artwork. Scratch is particularly good for working with Deaf learners because it uses visual tools (graphic coding blocks) which represent commands. The learner simply snaps the blocks together in order to create various effects. Scratch is a fun way to introduce learners to basic coding, and at the same time, playing to the visual strengths of Deaf learners. Finally, training course was piloted by selected participants.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 283417,07 Eur

Project Coordinator

Associazione Ergon a favore dei Sordi & Country: IT

Project Partners

• PLATON M.E.P.E
• A & A Emphasys Interactive Solutions Ltd
• FUNDACION TECNOLOGIA SOCIAL
• European Digital Learning Network
• EQUALIZENT SCHULUNGS UND BERATUNGS GMBH