enhanced Communication iN Nursing through Exchange of Clinical Teaching experiences Erasmus Project

Project Title

enhanced Communication iN Nursing through Exchange of Clinical Teaching experiences

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 vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Open and distance learning; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

eCoNNECT was a transnational, cross-sectoral project in the field of nurse education, including two vocational and three higher nurse education institutions from Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. The project aimed to develop an online / blended learning module to foster best workplace learning in nursing. Main objectives of the project were: (i) to strengthen workplace communication processes between school based teachers, practice based teachers and learners within and across three European countries, (ii) to employ state of the art technology to enhance teaching and assessment during the module, and (iii) to foster cross-sectoral and cross-country collaboration through the development of interprofessional and cross-cultural awareness. In the context of European nurse education, programs are provided at various levels from apprenticeship training to degree level education. Communication and teacher-learner collaboration have been identified as key factors for the development of effective workplace learning. The project aligned with the EU (2009) “Strategic framework for European cooperation and training (ET 2020)”, in particular as the module was based on shared learning outcomes for teachers and learners and as it facilitated cross-country collaboration within participating countries.The project was centered around the implementation and testing of innovative online technologies such as the use of video scenarios, interprofessional and transnational virtual classroom meetings and interprofessional, multilinguistic online discussions. The project utilised shared learning approaches between school-based and practice-based teachers from vocational and higher nurse education institutions and learners from pre-and post-registration nursing programs. This led to discussions and reflection about nurse education within European countries and fostered a better understanding of the different educational systems. Roles and responsibilities of teachers and learners within and across the three participating countries were reflected and compared with each other. Within the project, four outputs have been produced. The first was the curriculum as the foundation of the module. The curriculum e.g. includes learning outcomes and describes main aspects of the teaching and learning philosophy. The second output included the development and testing of learning materials and learning activities, centred around general aspects of nurse education within Europe as well as around communication practices in the context of workplace learning. The development of video-based scenarios was at the focus of the third output, related to the different phases of a practice placement (preparation, beginning, during and end). A handbook for the implementation of the module into other countries or settings was produced in the final (forth) output. The handbook aims to assist other countries, settings and potentially other health care professionals, to benefit from the project. The handbook includes main experiences of project partners (lessons learned) as well as recommendations for others for use of the module or further development. Parts of the module were tested during the project with a group of 87 participants from Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. School-based teachers, practice-based teachers and learners from vocational and higher education took part. They experienced transnational and interprofessional communication in a virtual environment and tried out different features of the module.The impact of the project relates to the project participants and module testing participants in that they developed enhanced role- and cultural awareness. The project supported the reflection of communication and interaction processes between teachers and learners within and across different organisations and countries. Especially the use of video scenarios stimulated reflection of communication skills and led to a deeper understanding of influencing factors in workplace learning. Online technology competences were fostered, as the use of interactive online learning features was part of the module. Moreover, the project enhanced multilingualism by integrating English language activities as well as national language parts (German, English, Dutch) and the use of translation tools. Long-term benefit of the project will include the integration of the module or parts of it into preceptorship training and nurse education. Due to different educational systems in Europe, a flexible use of the module or of parts of it will help to disseminate the overall idea of best communication and cooperation in workplace learning for nurses. The inclusive approach of the module can assist to bridge the gap between VET and higher education and foster new ways of cooperation between these.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 272520 Eur

Project Coordinator

Hanse Institut Oldenburg – Bildung und Gesundheit gGmbH & Country: DE

Project Partners

• DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY
• Schul – und Studienzentrum am Klinikum Neumarkt
• ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS GRONINGEN
• HANZEHOGESCHOOL GRONINGEN STICHTING