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Discussion

EPALE discussion: digital skills as a way of accessing learning opportunities

As part of our April-June 2020 focus on Digital skills as a way of accessing learning opportunities, EPALE is organising an online discussion.

EPALE Online Discussion Digital Skills.

 

As part of our April-June 2020 focus on Digital skills as a way of accessing learning opportunities, EPALE is organising an online discussion.

The large number of adults with poor basic digital skills represents a major obstacle in achieving an inclusive society and reducing social inequalities. Too few adults have access to adult learning resources, and this has a real impact on their personal development and employment prospects.

Providing adult-specific teaching methods to help trainers to become more effective in their work requires specialised training and continuous professional development geared towards adult-specific teaching strategies.

Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced everyone to adapt to new ways of working and pushed adult educators to explore and adopt new online tools and techniques to allow them continue their training and learning activities.  

The discussion will take place on this page on 27 May between 10:00 and 16:00 CET and will be moderated by EPALE Thematic Coordinator Altheo Valentini and by EPALE Content Assistant Claudia D'Eramo.

► Share your stories, tips, case studies and good practices with the EPALE community!

Also, if you’ve ever been involved in successful projects, or if you have developed any relevant methodologies – share your story with the other participants in the comments below!

The discussion on 27 May will include the following topics:

  • digital inclusion
  • barriers to digital access
  • distance learning
  • how to reshape adult education at the times of Covid-19

► Comments will be open on 20 May so participants can introduce themselves or post their comments in advance.

Likeme (38)
Themes addressed
Basic skills
Digital inclusion
E-learning
Teaching methods

Comments

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 13:02

I think that one of the most valuable lessons we learn from the current situation is the value of the human contact. But we are also rapidly exploring new, additional ways of engaging in online education. Activities that were never expected to be able to carry out online are now forced to be exercised online. One of the possible gains of this period could be that education will be differently accessible for students and learners who, for whichever reason, cannot attend physical classes. They will not fall behind for missing out, but they will be able to find all classes and sources online. Institutes are also finding alternative ways to assess students skills. What are your thoughts about this? Do you think that online education will be leading to a more inclusive environment, enabling those who cannot physically attend to participate? I am curious to hear which aspects of online education will/should remain and which ones won't. 



Wed, 05/27/2020 - 14:42

I think that one of the most valuable lessons we learn from the current situation is the value of the human contact.

Online education will be leading to a more inclusive environment, enabling those who cannot physically attend to participate.
Mon, 01/24/2022 - 17:35

I agree nothing replaces the social aspect of education.  At school students learn, socialise and participate in extra curricular activities.  Online learning is effective and has a major role as well especially when students cannot physically attend in schools.  

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 14:45

Hello, Manouk, thanks for your thoughts.
I see great advantages for people in rural areas, because there are not so many topics (and advanced topics) to offer. Educational institutions in rural areas often do not reach enough participants for specialist topics and advanced seminars because fewer people live in their region than in large cities.
I also see advantages for people with handicaps who cannot simply leave home. If we manage to create barrier-free digital learning offers, then it would be easier for these people to participate. Unfortunately, many offers are not yet barrier-free.
However, one should be careful: Maybe people with disabilities would like to attend events in other places than at home (in front of the computer) - simply because they are often alone and at home.
I also would like to know which aspects remain and which do not :-))
I think we will need time to work out differentiated offers. But we have now learned about many new possibilities and this can lead to more suitable forms of learning for many participants. That is a good prospect, isn't it.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 15:16

Hi Dörte. Thank you for elaborating on your thoughts. Based on what you said, I think that one should always consider the needs of the group or the students in order to decide what the best means are. This situation offers us many new, additional means to choose from. Differentiation is also necessary in online educational environments!
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:38

EPALE UK and Ireland have noted a high level of interest in shift to online learning provision as well as growing concerns about the digital challenges within the Adult Education sector. As a result, in June we will be hosting a collaborative online event ‘Digital Challenges and Opportunities for Community Adult Educators'.

This webinar will concentrate on the experience of the community sector where providers may not have access to resources and support to the same degree as those in HE and FE. It is also in the community sector where the human capital benefits of learning are particularly emphasised/important, and this is not always a strength of online provision.

 We seek to discuss whether the community sector have the necessary resources/expertise? Where is there good practice? Will the changes due to lockdown continue, or will we revert to previous methodologies? What of the loss of the social aspect of learning – can this be replicated remotely? Will this shift further isolate the technologically disadvantaged? 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 15:51

Hi Sara
This is very interesting. Will this event be open to all and where will I find more info. This is an issue we are very much thinking of, that is, will things go back to what they were or can we really use this opportunity to make changes that will last. I would be very happy to receive more info either here or by email gudfinna@smennt.is
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:35

Hello and greetings from Germany,
the current situation shows that there are a lot more possibilities in teaching online as we thought there were before Corona.
Teaching is one thing but measuring of the learning outcome another thing. Many distance learning providers now start with e-testing but there are many open questions. On December 2nd the European Association for Distance Learning (www.eadl.org) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (www.bibb.de) will organize a pre-conference-workshop within the Framework of the Online Educa Berlin (https://oeb.global/), that hopefully will take place from 2. - 4. of December 2020. The main topic of the pre-conference ist e-testing and I´m searching for speakers to present best practice in this field. Are there any specialists in the epale community? Please feel free to contact me. Best regards Jens Greefe
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:45

Dear Jens
It is really good that European Association for Distance Learning is considering so important problem as e testing  and of course the issues on evaluation and giving of feedback are of utmost importance for every learner as well as for any tutor. It will help to support quality in distance education.It will support the development of learning materials corresponding to distance learning methodology.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 13:03

Hi Jens, 

the OEB is a fantastic place to be when it comes to learning in the digital space! Are you going to particiapte this year?

Here you can also find some helpful information about experts in VET and Digitalization. I am sure that there are people there with expertise in e-testing but maybe it is difficult to find this out from the project descriptions. Just have a look and I will also address the colleagues directly: 

Best wishes! 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 13:55

Hi, Jens,

thank you for raising that important topic of e-testing in online education.
I work as an EPALE coordinator at Slovenian national support service, on the other side I am a student of master programme (Innovation Management in Social and Education Sector) at DOBA Business School in Slovenia, which offers 100% online study programme and has more than 20 years of experience in this field. I have to say that I am very satisfied with their online study and support!
Just an idea - maybe you can check their webside or contact them, I am sure that some of their employess would love to share their knowledge and experiences.

Kind regards from Slovenia,
Marusa


Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:27

Greetings from the Netherlands, my name is Manouk. The outbreak of the covid-19 and all the measurements that have to be taken in order to manage the situation asks a lot from our ability to adapt and to learn. We not only have to adapt to a new way of living (keep distance at all times, wash your hands regularly, etc.), but we also have to process this stream of new information that's coming to us. Especially for those who have difficulties processing all this information and experience barriers on how to access the right information sources, these are very confusing times. In the Netherlands, I've seen organizations launching platforms or webpages that made all this information accessible and understandble for specific groups. For example, the platform www.steffie.nl offers free programs where complex topics are explained in Dutch that is understandable for everybody. Another example is Pharos published information in different languages, to also enable non-Dutch speakers to learn the essentials about the current situation. These initiatives support those for who it is difficult to learn from the regular public communication. 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:37

Those are of course very good opportunities for people to get better informed about the Corona virus! 
My question on that is: How do people in the Netherlands know that those pages exist? Is there a specific way of addressing people/ making them aware that they can get proper information there? 
Thank you!

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 13:24

Hi Lena! Good question, thanks. Most of the platforms already existed for a while and have been informing certain target groups for a longer time already. Furthermore, I have seen many videos and animations shared on social media, explaining how people could reach the platforms and I think I have even seen an animation on television about it. Those are the main ways during this period of inmediate need to information. 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:38

Yes, very important: in Germany there were many efforts to curate the knowledge for special groups (e..g in sign language, in easy language) and sites that helped you to find out for yourself who to trust and where to find reliable information on the topic of Corona. But this is not the only topic where reliable information is needed: same goes for financial or health literacy, political topics ... so this a need: teaching methods how to learn to find reliable and objective (!) information...
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:25

Hello everyone from Wales in the UK! 
It is great to read your comments and reflections. I come from WISE KIDS in Wales in the UK, which focuses on developing digital literacy, digital citizenship and wellbeing for young people, their parents/carers, and other professionals. During this lockdown period, we are delivering more 'live' workshops through video conferencing. We are also working on adapting our other face-to-face programmes for online delivery. Now more than ever, we feel there is a need for 'critical digital literacy' as more of us turn online to get our content, access services and learning. I wanted to share two resources we have created for addressing fake news and misinformation. https://forms.gle/Qfqo9bHVAsGuchzU7 and https://forms.gle/ezxmVU73WkmSmjeF8 Very happy to connect and share further.

Best wishes,
Sangeet
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:21

Hello, I am prof. Ilze Ivanova , University of Latvia. I would like to say,that we need to be more positive speaking about virtual learning.We have a lot of gainings  from this  rapid  change of learning form.We have to say , that we were not ready neither psychologically neither practically for so rapid  tranasition from face to face to virtual learning.We learned to be flexible,to react quickly on the needs of learners. We had to think about the content of the learning, because one thing is to work in the mood of  face - to-face and the other - to implement the same content virtually. It requires from the staff to choose carefully not only the content , but also the methods, how to work with adults.And let us remember , that students are also adults and they like to construct their knowlegde by themselves. We all were practically ""forced"" to improve our digital skills to cope with the learnind process, administration and different scientific activities. We succeeded to communicate across the world in different projects and also to work with students abroad. We learned to use different platforms.We learned to exchange experiences ..........So we could go on with gainings of this difficult period, even that it learned us  to wash carefully our hands.
Of course different platforms cannot substitute  a student, teacher, tutor, colleague. May be we will evaluate more human contacts, working together, understanding of different people.
The topic for this discussion is very acute and interesting , it will promote us personally  to think  about personal digital skills,critical thinking , flexibility , ability to teach in different ways.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:36

I totally agree with your opinion! Can you imagine, how more difficult would be this pandemics only 20 years ago? (without smartphones, speed internet, online content...?)
Now, we have to prepare ourselves for such situations - the hardware is ready enough, software more and more as well - so the last "unprepared" are we - the users :). 

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:57

Dear , Peter Balaz , I think you agree with me that the situation made us to learn more , to develop our skills.We all passed through several stages -uncertainty- what will be now ? How will we go on ? First experiments,attempts- learning from each other and now of course we are already in the stage - we can work on line  and we have to go on developing distance learner s support system and support system for tutors, educators.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:58

Using digital means for learning is more than knowing how to turn on a computer. For some it setting up programs, logging in, turning the TV on and choosing the right channel, accessing program through their phones etc.etc. I'm curious to know, how adult educational providers prepare their learners for using those tools. Any general tips and tricks about that one?
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:07

Hello!
This is actually a very good point in my eyes! 
Probably it would be necessary to offer presence courses (learning how to turn on the Computer etc.) previously - before starting with online learning. Obviosly this is a huge issue at the moment... which means starting with online learning now is indeed very difficult even though digital skills nowadays are more important than ever.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:21

'Hey!
Maybe we can't show an improvement from zero to ten. We can't expect people to be professionals about digital skills. However, raising awareness is a good start on this path. People have realized that the importance of digital world and literacy of digital skills. They are discovering good websites to educate themselves at home, there are really incredible websites,they are creating first step. Therefore, I am hopeful about the future of digital revolution. 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:40

Hi, that is a really good question. In the UK we have really good projects like Digital Communities Wales https://www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales/ who focus on Digital Inclusion (including working with social care settings) to help people to get online and develop their digital skills. We also have organisations like the Good Things Foundation https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/ which run websites like https://www.learnmyway.com/subjects which provide support with basic digital skills. In this work, so much depends on whether people have connectivity, who did not previously, and whether there are people who can support them in the initial stages when they have the most questions about doing things online.

The work of my organisation WISE KIDS is focused more around the digital media literacy needs of users once they begin accessing online platforms and communities.

Best regards,
Sangeet
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:50

Hi!
Here in Latvia we can share very successful examples of digital learning. Someone previously mentioned there were no smart devices available to learn. In regard to this our government found opportunities and gave them to pupils:) 
Also EPALE NSS "switched" to remote online trainings. The fact that five candidates applied for one place in our seminar is already a success story:)
We have also organised very successful Covid-time-related online vebinars (e.g., on safety in digital world, humor as a teaching methods and energisers, about successful lifelong learning e.c.), reaching a very large audience. In our opinion, organising activities remotely saves both time and resources. Moreover, our EPALE ambassadors even want to take advantage of such remote workshops and organise distance seminars also when Covid's time is over.
We think that people are very motivated to learn digital skills, especially at this specific moment. Also older generations.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:34

Hi Sandra, I see the same in Germany and Switzerland: all of  a sudden new communities form on Twitter or Instagram to help each other and support, exchange new ways of teaching and learning. The biggest effort so far was a community of more than 300 persons gathering ideas and tips for online learning in a Collection of FAQs, and they are as good (or better) as any book or e-book you could by on that topic. They did that in the Course of 3 weeks, organized by 3 persons that are well known in the community. 'It was called "edunauten", which means  "Educational nautic specialists", check it our here:
https://edunauten.de/ unfortunately only in german...
Heike
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:47

Covid-19 really opended up for opportunities of using digital means for learning and communicating. Lately I heard of an intersting thing, it was a group of young adult learners in a program, which had to be put online due to Covid19. Many of those youngsters were in this program because of their inability to cope with everyday life and work. During Covid19 their attendance and participation increased as it was easier for some of them to get out of bed and meet and communciate with other people in the digital world than in the real world. Than again we also have adult learners who come to courses to meet others and learn in a physical community. So digital teaching and learning will not come instead of the physical way, it's about making the method fit the learner and the learner's needs, right?
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:07

Hi from Austria!
I absolutely agree with what you say and I am glad that you mentioned the importance of meeting every indidual's needs in order to provide suitable settings for the digital learning process. 
And you're totally right, online conversations will never ever replace face-to-face communication and human interaction - and I'm glad it won't!
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:11

You are right, there a different needs and we should not think in terms of either digital or analogue/face to face: both will be needed and brought into a fitting and fruitful combination. But if we switch back to learning in a classroom, we might loose persons who learn best alone at home or online. I've read many comments on Twitter where parents say that their child never enjoyed learning as much as now…. funny! Giving multiple and equal opportunities and learning about your own learning style is the best way to prepare the students for a world that is in constant change. 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:28

Hello! 
As you say multiple opportunities are important for finding your own "learning style". I think that we should consider that not everybody has the same opportunities for digital studying/ distance learning at home. Maybe including forms of digital learning into the lesson would be a good option as well? Consequently the students could decide how they´d like to reach a specific goal with choosing their own method of studying as they would have multiple opportunities at school. In that case everybody would have the same range of requirements for studying.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:45

Dear all,
let me please just add my modest opinion based on an observation of on-line space during coronacrises times and a searching for some good examples of on-line learning.
In my opinion on-line courses are future (and also current reality) of adult learning in generaly. Digital inclusion has never been as urgent as in 2020. 
I wish that skills and qualifications obtianed via on-line learning are recognisable for all adults! 
To me that´s the way how to react on changing labour market and ensure the individual learning pathway.

There are some good examples of European union funded projects (INTERREG Central Baltic) of succesful on-line learning of adults - in any field, including health care, social care or cleaning services (for ensuring safe and hygienic enviroment.
E.g. see the case of increasing digital skills of healtcare staff to ensure the working of the digital healthand also for increasing of participants´ digital skills in everyday life in the region of Baltic sea.

Thank you.
Best Regards,

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:42

Hi guys, Greetings from Prague, Czech republic. 
I am Learning designer and also EPALE CZ expert. I would like to share with you our success story from topics around digital inclusion, barriers to digital access, distance learning. I was a member of the Digikatalog project, where we were developing an interesting tool for digital inclusion. Our approach was pretty complex because we were trying to develop an assessment and diagnostic tool with combination with distance learning courses. The target group of the project was adults and seniors. The idea behind the project is straightforward: in the online simulation environment you can try to solve few everyday life situations, e.g. make an online appointment in the city office, buy something in the e-shop, etc. The diagnostic tool behind the simulation process you actions and offer you results. The next step gives you personalised recommendations based on your results. The guidance contains free online courses, tips and trick and other sources. The pilot was a great success, now we are waiting for public launch and we are expecting that COVID crisis and limitations can really highlight the digital competency needs. 
 
Evaldo - the simulation tool https://evaldo.cz (link is external) 
Project website https://portaldigi.cz (link is external) 

Unfortunately, the project websites are only in Czech, but if you are interested, I can give you more detailed info. Just drop me a message.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:29

Hi Branislav,
the Evaldo simulation tool and the assessment and recommendation framework behind it is really interesting. The DCDS project has tried to developed a similar learning path, which starts from the compilation of a quite structured self-assessment tool mapped on the basic competence levels of DigComp and, based on the results obtained by the users, it provides them with a suggested learning path focused also on their personal interests and professional attitudes. 
These and other digital skills' assessment and recommendation tools are continously presented and discussed in the DigComp Community of Practice which you can access here: https://all-digital.org/invitation-to-digcomp-community-of-practice-cop/
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:12

Yia sas from CYPRUS,and have a nice day everybody.
Distance learning is very important  for many people ,especially now with the virus I am glad to say  that  some  Cypriots  are studying  through distance learning ,whilst they are working.
Digital knowledge is now more iimportant than ever ,especially ,for senior citizens and persons ,who are 
away  from town centers .We have to give emphasis  to
 digital education for these people ,but we
still need more computers and more educational  seminars on this aspect .Once people get to know 
  how digital  access helps them ,in to their day life their happy and  they feel more secure ,to 
have  access to their Bank accounts ,or to communicate on line with different govermental parts,or even see and order things from their home security 
Irini Georgiou 
Educator

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:45

Hello from Austria!
I think so too: We should put more effort in digital education for elderly people as they are not "growing up" with modern multi media as younger generations do. Digital knowledge is getting more and more important… not only regarding the current situation caused by Covid-19 but also when looking at daily life situations (online banking, communication with relatives or friends via Whats App etc.). This is a very important issue as elderly people can´t acquire digital skills at school. In my opinion offering more courses and finding better waysto address this group of people would be very important here.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:22

I agree!  I think that more lessons about how to use technologies, especially, for elderly people, is very important and needed. And I think that the Covid-19, is not going to leave us for some time, therefore, it is extremely important. 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:48

Hey, Irini. İnsanlara dijital dünyada okuryazar olmayı öğretemedik, ancak COVID-19 salgını bunu başarabilecek gibi görünüyor. Öğrenme, kötü koşullarda, öğrenmeniz gerektiğinde gerçekleşir. insanlar artık dijital tesisleri nasıl kullanacaklarını biliyorlar, çünkü hayata devam etmenin tek yolu bu. alışverişten çalışmaya kadar bu becerilerle olur. Dijital dünyanın geleceğinin parlak olduğunu görüyorum
Tue, 06/02/2020 - 10:03

Dear Irini, Thank you for sharing your views with us and for bringing up the matter of the acquisition of digital skills for domestic use. I agree with you that nowadays it is very important for seniors to know how to access their bank accounts and how to communicate online with different governmental departments and services (eg for completing their taxes form)
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:08

Hello from Hungary, my name is Dora. After shifting to emergency remote teaching at my university, I noticed that it was not necessarily the instructors with higher academic degrees who were able to develop the most effective solutions, but the flexible lecturers with the right digital skills. Some feedback from my students show that even within a small group, there are big differences in learning styles and also in socioeconomic status, which is more pronounced in online space (e.g. someone with tactile learning style or with poor quality internet access online learning was way less effective). Though this shift was a big challenge to everyone, it provided good opportunity for students to develop in self-regulated learning, and  it gave me an opportunity for methodological renewal and more thoughtful planning, in addition to the obvious development of digital skills.
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:15

Hi, 'Dora, I think this is a very important issue: the ability and willingness of teachers in all educational areas to do the "switch" and do it properly. From " I will not make myself superfluous as a teacher" (primary school) to " this will go away" (university) every imagenable excuse. The opportunity is there to make a real improvement, and it can come from any side, teachers, learners, I don't care. But it has to be embraced as a real chance for a permanent enlargement of learning opportunities and accesses. And the one skill teachers are lacking (sometimes, not always!!) is the trust in their own importance!
Heike 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 12:03

Hi Dora! Thank you for your contribution. I do recognize your observation that instructors with longer experience and higher academc degrees might have more difficulties switching to (for them) new ways of teaching. I imagine that for many teachers, interaction with the students plays a big role in their education and they need to invent new ways of establishing interaction online. I hope that the teachers with more digital skills can help out the ones who need more help in it! 
Manouk 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:03

European countries need to continually review and develop new strategic policies and measures to meet the new demands for high quality digital education.
The development of teachers' digital competence is a critical component if investment in digital technologies is to be maximised, and if education systems are to keep pace with 21st century needs. 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 10:58

Dear all, 

given the actual global situation, we couldn't focus on a more relevant topic then “Digital skills as a way of accessing learning opportunities”! In fact, during the last couple of months, we have already shared several resources to support you in orienting in the field of distance learning and taking out the most from the unexpected COVID-19 outbreak. EPALE interviews, Community Stories, Resource Kits are some of the new resources available through the platform in different languages. 

We now want to learn more about your personal stories, needs and plans to improve the digital learning experience of adult learners in Europe. Let’s join the discussion by sharing your good practices or posting a comment here below! 

Altheo Valentini and Claudia D'Eramo 
EPALE CSS Moderators

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