Virtualisation of work-based learning – challenges, tools, competences: WBL_GOES_VIRTUAL Erasmus Project

Project Title

Virtualisation of work-based learning – challenges, tools, competences: WBL_GOES_VIRTUAL

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

The current SARS-CoV-19 crisis together with its implications on practically all societies and economic systems worldwide has shown impressively, in fact how fragile economic systems work and which (negative) impact a necessary lock down of systems may have also on education and training level. While in school-based education the European member states have tried to maintain and provide services via distance and online learning; on the level of companies, on the level of work-based learning, apprenticeship training, internship programmes etc. the consequences are indeed massive and problems are still practically unsolved. Once companies need to close (or at least reduce) their production and service offers, practically no work-based learning and training will take place since it would require functioning work/services for work-based learning. No one has ever thought about such a situation before and possible strategies to tackle these challenges to work based learning in front of a lock down on company and work based-learning level we are not only lacking infrastructure for virtualisation and distance work-based learning, we are also massively lacking competences on the level of trainers, instructors, foremen, all staff involved in work based learning offers in competences.
In front of the described situation it is crucially important to develop digital-pedagogical competences as well as digital infrastructure to virtualise WBL content and especially apprenticeship training programmes / contents in companies to be better prepared for any force majeure events hindering face to face and presence learning in WBL in companies and businesses in future.
For this reason, the project is going to envisage the following main aims:
1) Development of a modular and compact training programme for this target group (WBL trainers, professionals, mentors in companies) to be able to develop virtual learning content, employ modern learning and communication technology (e.g. web 2.0 tools but also virtual and augmented reality hardware (holo lenses, VR glasses etc.), develop storyboards for video tutorials, online learning chunks, select and use learning management and authoring tools etc. The training course shall be developed and implemented in blended learning format to offer a concrete learning by doing possibility for the target group.
2) Development of a toolkit for companies about adapting work-based learning in a virtual format. The toolkit will contain a selection of suitable learning software, hardware recommendations, concrete step-by-step guidelines for companies to prepare the own WBL system for any future disruptions caused by force majeure.
In front of these two sub-aims, the results expected for the WBL_GOES_VIRTUAL project are:
IO 1: modular training programme for WBL staff: on the basis of feedback talks and research of the project partners prior to the project start, the partnership is going to develop a tailored and compact, modular training programme for WBL staff (trainers, instructors, teachers, foremen, mentors, professionals etc.) about how to virtualise their learning content. The training will develop didactical and technological competences, include topics such as learning technology (including VR and AR based learning), development of tutorials, storyboard development in training, communication technology and a step-by-step approach for virtualisation of learning content also by using learning management and authoring software.
IO 2: Toolkit for companies – virtualisation of work-based learning, challenges and solutions for businesses: Besides the training programme for WBL trainers / professionals and staff in companies, a concrete and practical toolkit for companies will be developed supporting them with virtualisation of their WBL content. The toolkit contains a selection of software available, tutorials, hardware and infrastructure recommendations and practical advice. It will allow the companies to select between suitable offers in relation to their needs, business sector, learning content, WBL offers and programmes. Moreover the toolkit will provide advice to companies during a process of development of digital infrastructure in the own company to foster virtual work-based learning and especially apprenticeship training.
The target group of the project are trainers and professionals in companies for WBL programmes, HR staff, company managers/owners, line managers, foremen and shop stewards in companies with responsibility for work-based learning. The partnership of the project consists of 5 organisations (chambers of commerce, VET institutions, NGOs) from AT, DE, ES and SI which all have a high degree of work-based learning in their VET systems and therefore a huge urgency in supporting companies and trainers / professionals with this digitalisation and virtualisation need.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 145411 Eur

Project Coordinator

Auxilium pro Regionibus Europae in Rebus Culturalibus & Country: AT

Project Partners

• IHK- PROJEKTGESELLSCHAFT MBH
• FONDO FORMACION EUSKADI SLL
• WIRTSCHAFTSKAMMER STEIERMARK
• GOSPODARSKA ZBORNICA SLOVENIJE