Flipping the classroom in adult education Erasmus Project

Project Title

Flipping the classroom in adult education

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 2015

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

Adult learners differ from younger students in several ways: their time is limited due to other life responsibilities, they have different levels of prior knowledge and some lack ICT skills, some work in shifts and are unable to participate in courses and some have negative experience with prior educational process (drop-outs) and need special attention.
For those reasons classic school lectures often do not meet their needs and requirements. The option is pure e-learning, but this presents difficulties for those who lack ICT skills and need additional support. In addition, many experience difficulties engaging in education after a longer break and require guidance and support. Personal contact is valued and is hard to replace by modern technology.

To meet all these requirements, adult educators need to be well equipped and able to present the subject/content in a way that is understandable, acceptable and tailored to the individual learner’s needs. In adult education educators differ greatly; some come from school sector, others are professionals primarily working in non-educational sector and some are self-employed. If teachers in regular schools are often acquainted with new teaching approaches, educators in adult education rarely have the same opportunity. Taking into consideration the adult learners needs they are however the ones that need to use most creative and innovative methods, adapted to each individual’s needs.
The project focused on such innovative technique and aimed to adapt it and implement it for adult educational purposes.

Within the frame of the project:
1. Conceptual framework was prepared regarding flipped learning, the needs of adult learners in participating countries were identified and desk research done on existing practices.
2. FTC online modules were developed and Flipping the Classroom (FTC) technique was introduced to educators in adult education during the training. (15 educators participated in the training, additional 56 were acquainted with the FTC technique)
3. Educators transferred the FTC technique to adult education, by designing classes and developing materials adapted to the adult learners’ needs; pilots were done in partner countries, 179 adult learners were involved and tested the approach.
4. After the pilots additional modifications were done according to the feedback from adult learners. Trained educators participated in multiplier events for other educators, providers and policy makers presenting the outcomes and experience.
5. A learning guide on FTC in adult education was developed with aim to transfer the method and the design of the materials to further fields (subjects).

The consortium consisted of 6 partners active in different fields, but all involved in adult education. Most partners were experienced in delivering training to educators. It was a balance between smaller private educational organisations, universities/colleges and adult education institution.
Project results include Conceptual framework on flipped learning, online modules available in 5 languages, 15 (+1) trained educators on how to use flipped classroom methodology, 16 lessons designed in flipped way and Guide on flipping the classroom in adult education, available in 6 languages.

The impact on educators is significant – they can now design lessons in a new and innovative way which proved to be well accepted with adult learners. The flipped classes were evaluated as engaging, interesting, motivational and well adapted to learners needs. During the events interest was raised among other educators and modules were shared to provide support. Guide serves as a starting point and as introduction to implementation.

The 2 main results – online modules and Learning guide – have therefore a great potential for long-term use and transferability to other educational fields. The modules were already introduced in another ongoing project and will be implemented during the training to a new set of educators.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 213681,43 Eur

Project Coordinator

Andragoski zavod Ljudska univerza Velenje & Country: SI

Project Partners

• ARTEVELDEHOGESCHOOL
• Stichting Kenniscentrum Pro Work
• Unipa e-learning
• Akademia Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna w Lodzi
• Natsionalen ucheben tsentar