Technology is developing very fast and technology is an indispensable element nowadays, which has been developing in a vertical way very quickly paralleling with the horizontal improvement in past years. So, it is a fact that the technological developments force a person to permanently improve himself/herself in his/her profession. More than in other other fields, a rapid development has been made in electronical and information and communication technology. These developments have lead to the production of more complex control systems and microcontroller production takes over to control these complicated systems. Beside the development of microcontroller productions hardware, the software technology has also made a great progress. Therefore, as we are educational institutions teaching microcontroller technology, it is necessary that we follow developments in the world. “Teaching and learning microcontrollers via PicBasicPro(PBP) language in VET” aims to investigate which microcontroller and programming language should be used, which methods should be followed in curriculum, which equipments should be used in applications and which tests should be applied during lessons by computer and electronical educational institutions. That is the reason for which we are planning to develop a model in which students and teachers can compare their knowledge with other countries by interacting with each other. In this way, they will have the opportunity to gain these knowledge, to develop the microcontroller applications and adapt them to their institutions. The main objective of this project is to compare one's own different educational systems and training methods with other participating schools’ and to exchange best practices, to introduce one's microcontroller models to the other participants during the visit in the host country. The participants of the projects are electric, electronic, ICT, automation VET teachers (from Turkey, Italy, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Greece) and they teach microcontroller at VET schools. The total number of of mobilities in the project is 72. Every partner, but the coordinator, will implement 10 mobilities. Only, the coordinator will implement 12 mobilities because of its heavy workload. Project activities will include the exchange of the information, sharing and analyzing best-practice models; comparing them and adapting them to each partner’s own activities and environment, creating experimental kits and modules. Our project activities are aimed to establish conditions for successful learning and teaching for all VET teachers and the students. As a condition of successful learning, teachers need to strengthen their roles as facilitators of learning. They need new experimental kits, modules, autonomy, time, and space for innovation, teamwork, feedback, self-reflection and evaluation. They need access to enhanced opportunities for continued professional development. The main outcomes of the project are clarified as; Some microcontroller modules and applications will be prepared, the experimental (training) kits will be developed, a website, a DVD and a guidebook will be produced for the project. The methodology to be used in carrying out the project is transparency. Every duties and responsibilities will be registered or written. The products of the project are not only written, documental products but also practical kits and circuits. In long term, we aimed to disseminate the project to all the related people, teachers and VET schools who have a role in students' VET educational and social life. They are; teachers, labour market, VET centers, other organizations leading the same type of activity, local schools in each partner school’s area, local authorities, European authorities by the help of European partners, public, wider life learning community, decision-makers at local, regional, national and European level. We believe that our project results will have long term effects on VET and labour market with the help of dissemination activities.
Context/background of the project; Our project was based on the improvement of electronics´ training. “Electronics'' was considered especially in regards of the design and engineering and because of the fundamental changes in the production of industrial technology and, therefore, vocational education it had. Electronics, especially micro controlling, is essential for today´s technology as digital devices and robotics are widely used in all fields. By means of our project, we intended to address the issues, described below: -There was a deficiency of equipment in microcontroller applications such as development kits and not enough application to the VET curriculum. -We tried to solve the complicity of the existing development kits. -We solved the problems that both students and teachers encountered during the application of microcontroller in VET schools. -We set up cooperation with institutions and partners from across Europe. -We addressed the need of further qualification in electronics to fulfill companies´ needs of staff. Objectives; As we implemented our project, Our concrete objectives for this partnership were emphasized as below; -We got information about the use of microcontrollers in Vocational education, -We learnt about the PicBassicPro language and different types of equipment which were used in education, -We found out about the microcontroller applications used in industry, -We visited the local companies which were very important in the field of microcontrollers in the international meetings, -We developed teachers' and students’ professional skills and job vision, -We compared the various educational systems and training methods of the participating schools and exchanged best practices, -We introduced the microcontroller models each partner prepared to the other participants during the visit in each host country, -We provided the sense of qualified manpower to both teachers and students, -We increased awareness of the importance of microcontrollers throughout the Europe, -We improved the quality of teaching and learning on microcontrollers lessons, -We promoted intercultural awareness and reinforced European values (demolition of prejudices, xenophobia, cultural differences). Number and profile of participating organisations: The number of participating organisations was 6 VET schools and institutions in the projects. In all partners’ schools, students are learning microcontrollers at electronic, automation, electrical, ICT departments. Gölbaşı MTAL(Turkey) Liceul Tehnologic Grigore (Romania) EPRALIMA (Portugal ) HETEL (Spain) The 2nd EK of Piraeus (Greece) IPIAS G: GIORGI (Italy) Description of undertaken main activities; During the project, main activities below were realized: A1: Activation of the project team and set up of dissemination channels; (Logo, Flyer, Dropbox, twitter, YouTube, Facebook ): A2: Preparing the project web page (www.pbpinvet.eu) A3: Celebration of 6 transnational project meetings during the two years´ project A4: Production of 7 training kits (Button and a LED Module&Kit, Dot Matrix Module&Kit, ADC converter Module&Kit, Keypad Module&Kit, Motor (DC, Servo, Step) Module&Kit, LCD Module&Kit, Sensor Module Kit). A5: Development of the PBPinVET Guidebooks in Turkish, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Greek, Italian. A6: Preparation and delivery of Project DVD, A7: Elaboration and dissemination of 6 Newsletters, A8: Selection of the best photo of the Project, A9: Planting of Erasmus+ trees (6 TPMs =6 Erasmus+ trees) A10: Implementation of dissemination activities, A11: Final works, Financial and administrative reporting from project partners. Results and impact attained; We had two types of results and impacts: Regarding tangible results, we delivered Open Educational Resources, namely: -A guidebook addressed to VET teachers in 7 languages to be used as a tool to teach microcontrollers in VET programmes. -A common methodology to teach microcontrollers, including different training kits divided in different teaching modules addressed to different aspects of microcontrollers. -Dissemination materials, including a project Website, tutorial videos with subtitles in English, a logo, a short film, banners and posters, a DVD, including all documents of the project, a Project Facebook, a Twitter, Youtube Regarding intangible results, we could mention: -Increased knowledge on electronics, particularly microcontrollers, of participants in the project, both VET teachers and VET students. -Reinforcement of the international strategies of each partner organization. -Gained skills by the staff participating in the project, related to better intercultural, organizational and managerial skills. -A better knowledge of the different VET systems and curriculums in electronics training across Europe. -A higher sense of belonging to the European project by the staff and VET students involved.