A framework for the design and implementation of European Virtual ScHoolS Erasmus Project

Project Title

A framework for the design and implementation of European Virtual ScHoolS

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 : Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Open and distance learning; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

CONTEXT
The pandemic is accelerating digital transformation in education and work. The physical distancing imposed around the globe, is forcing education organizations around Europe to consider remaining fully online for months. Within a week, after general lockdown, universities and primary and secondary schools were asked to transform to virtual schools. A recent UNESCO (2020) report estimates that over 1.5 Billion students and youth had to stay away from schools and universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although EU countries have been pushing ICT in schools and including the digital competence on the European but also national competence frameworks, this is the first time that almost ALL schools in Europe are asked to move so fast and adopt distance learning methods and tools.

Understanding the complexities of online learning and designing effective online courses, is not an easy task. However, schools across Europe were asked overnight to become virtual schools, without all the pieces in place. This project brings together a consortium which consists of 6 partners, from 5 European countries which cover a wide range of expertise related to the aims of the project, as well they have a Pan-European outreach in their activities. The consortium ensures both a balanced geographical representation of EU countries as well as representation from different types of organizations. The complementary nature of the partnership is evident, since there is a good balance of Ministries, eLearning centres, Schools, SMEs, and NGOs.

OBJECTIVES
– Develop school leaders and teachers’ capacities to design and deliver online education.
– Develop a practical toolkit aligned with the DigCompEdu, with practical, step-by-step guides on how to design and deploy virtual schooling.
– Adapt and use the SELFIE and TET-SAT tools to be tailored for Virtual Schooling.
– Develop the digital skills of teachers and learners.

TARGET GROUPS
The project builds on the existing knowledge developed by partners and aims at supporting schools, teachers and leadership teams to design and deploy Virtual Schooling and online courses. The primary target groups for this project include:
– Teachers and School Leadership Teams
– Learning designers, educational technologists and support staff
– Students and their parents (indirectly)

INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS
– IO1 Virtual Schooling Toolkit for School leadership teams and teachers
– IO2 Training course for teachers and school leaders on Virtual Schooling
– IO3 Training course for students on how to be effective online learners.
– IO4 eLearning platform with OERs on Virtual Schooling

The expected results of the project are:
– Improved capacity of schools and education systems to design and deploy virtual schooling
– Improved competencies for school leadership teams, teachers and school staff to design and implement virtual schools.
– Improve the capacity of schools and education systems to engage in online education.
– Improve the understanding of parents on the factors influencing successful online learning and their role
– Improved learners’ capacity to learn online

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 211882 Eur

Project Coordinator

Akademie Klausenhof gGmbH & Country: DE

Project Partners

• University of Nicosia
• DOUKA EKPAIDEFTIRIA AE – PALLADION LYKEION EKFPAIDEUTHRIA DOUKA
• Spectrum Research Centre CLG
• CENTRO PER LO SVILUPPO CREATIVO DANILO DOLCI
• CENTRE FOR ADVANCEMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY LTD-CARDET