Adult Learning Conference, Budapest,
8 March 2011
Learning, networking and gaining
self-confidence through the use of ICT
Brian Holmes
Head of Department, Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture
A digital world
The oldest blogger in the world
María says…
“No one listens to old people”
“Life has to be lived. Don’t
take pills and fall asleep in
the armchair”
“Internet has given me a new
lease of life. But I don’t see
any old people’s homes
offering their residents
internet”
http://amis95.blogspot.com
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/holmes-adult-learning-Budapest
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A digital world
Social, networked learning
• Flexible learning; any time, anyplace,
anyone, any reason
• Personalised, networked and social
• Collaborative, with peers, in communities
• Creative, innovative, stimulating
• Formal, non-formal, informal
• Learning orchestrated by teachers,
trainers, facilitators, ...
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/holmes-adult-learning-Budapest
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A digital world
Learning 2.0
Study on the impact of social computing
on education and training (E&T)
Conclusions include:
• Organisational innovation in E&T,
opening up to society, new partnerships
• Fosters the development of transversal
skills
• Can help mitigate inequalities and
encourage active citizenship
• Can provide great opportunity for
inclusion and equity
Redecker et al (2009)
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/holmes-adult-learning-Budapest
4
A digital world
Online learning communities
Study on new learning communities
supported by ICT
Ala-Mutka (2008)
Conclusions include:
• Online communities support intentional
and non-intentional learning
• Participants can follow and observe life
of others, encouraging reflection
• Support active learning of all key
competences and transversal skills
• Digital competence important, as is
attitude
• Provide new opportunities for equality
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/holmes-adult-learning-Budapest
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A digital world
Skills & competencies for the 21st Century
OECD conference on New Millennium Learners
• 21st century skills to support creativity and innovation:
– Digital competence
– Ability to work in teams
– Autonomy
– Sensitivity to different cultures
– Ethics, etc
• From specialists to ‘versatilists’
http://www.nml-conference.be
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/holmes-adult-learning-Budapest
6
Challenges
Importance of motivation and self-esteem
Policy Observatory for Lifelong learning and Employability,
POLE project
POLE (2004)
Conclusions include:
• E-learning has deepened rather than widened
learning
• Adult learners and the disadvantaged have yet to
be reached
• Insufficient consideration of the social context for
learning and motivation
• Need to focus more on self-esteem and
self-confidence
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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Challenges
Overcoming the digital divide
Typical barriers and challenges
•
•
•
•
•
•
Physical access
Socio-economic background
Physical and mental disabilities
Digital competence
Language skills
Lack of guidance and pedagogical
support
• Lack of self-confidence, self-esteem,
motivation, inspiration ....
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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Example projects
Grundtvig – Migrant ICT
Integrating migrants into a new
culture and also helping them
to develop IT skills and secure
a relevant job or go on to
further education
134275-LLP-1-2007-1-IE-GRUNDTVIG-GMP
http://migrantict.ning.com/
Products and results of interest
to Adult Education Authorities
and Providers, Tutors and
Guidance Counsellors working
in the education centres and in
the community
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/holmes-adult-learning-Budapest
9
Example projects
Grundtvig – Key competences kit
To offer a quality methodology
and didactic materials focused
on the acquisition of the 8 key
competences of Lifelong
Learning recommended by the
European Commission
For adults with lack of training
and education gaps in order to
strengthen their personal
fulfilment, social inclusion and
142210-LLP-1-2008-1-ES-GRUNDTVIG-GMP
employment access/
http://www.keycompetenceskit.eu/
improvement
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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Example projects
Leonardo da Vinci - Tips
Designed and developed a training
course for people interested in
working in the field of cultural
mediation in Europe
Based on T-learning methodology
integrating E-learning, mobile
learning and TV-learning
134119-LLP-1-2007-1-IT-LEONARDO-LMP
http://www.forcom.it/tipsproject/
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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Example projects
Key activity 2 – Signs2go
Website and e-learning support
for deaf people wanting to travel
and communicate using
British Sign Language
143392-LLP-1-2008-1-UK-KA2-KA2MP
http://www.acm.no/signs2go
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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Example projects
Key Activity 3 - Bridge
To help older people to use ICT in daily
life and to take advantage of the
opportunities of the information society
Develop educational materials in the
main partner languages (English,
Italian, German, Polish, Slovenian) for
older people, for use in training
courses and self-instruction
504867-LLP-1-2009-1-SI-KA3-KA3MP
http://www.seniors-bridge.eu
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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Example projects
Further examples
A document giving further examples
from the LLP, Socrates and
eLearning Programmes is available
here:
http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/
adult-learning-budapest-examples
EACEA - Lifelong Learning Programme
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References
Ala-Mutka, K. (2010) Learning in informal online networks and communities,
Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), JRC, European
Commission (ONLINE http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=3059)
POLE (2004) Technologies for the Knowledge Society & Lifelong Learning,
Policy Observatory for Lifelong Learning and Employability, MENON
Network EEIG. (ONLINE - http://thor.lrf.gr/pole/key_report_web.pdf)
Redecker, C., Ala-Mutka, K., Bacigalupo, M., Ferrari, A. & Punie, Y. (2009)
Learning 2.0: the impact of Web 2.0 innovations on education and training
in Europe, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), JRC,
European Commission (ONLINE http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=2899)
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Thank you !
‘I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think’
Socrates
DG Education and Culture:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/index_en.html
The Lifelong Learning Programme:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/static/en/llp/index_en.htm
The Executive Agency:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu
eacea-info@ec.europa.eu
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