Although the number of VTCs registered in Bulgaria is impressive, access to know-how and innovative practices is still an obstacle to the development of some organizations working in the vocational education and training sector. The current project proposal "Interactive Teaching -" iTeaching "- Key Competences for Teachers in Vocational Training Centers (VTCs)" aims to develop and pilot a web-based platform for key competence training. This will help develop new educational practices to test innovative pedagogical approaches, curricula, through collaboration and exchange of experience. The project will provide an opportunity for the transfer of innovative European practices to enhance the integration of information technology in teaching through the implementation of joint initiatives, exchange of ideas, knowledge and know-how as well as the promotion of cooperation in generating added value in the field of vocational education and training. The specific objectives of the project are: • Building a web-based platform for key competences training - language communication and digital competence • Training of instructors with practical skills and tools for training and use of resources on key competences training to improve the educational capacity of teachers and employees in vocational training centers to provide a wide range of teaching ideas by introducing IT in the learning process; • Increasing teachers' key competences to upgrade their language and digital skills; • Introducing new teaching technologies that meet European standards and expectations in the field of vocational training in the context of stimulating the development of borderless education; • Modernization of education in Bulgaria and its engagement with business to increase the competitiveness of the Bulgarian society and economy in the future by increasing the capacity of the vocational training centers. The project is divided into eight Work Packages, each having its own leader - one of the partner organisations. Work packages and their leaders are selected according to their experience and capacity, relevant to the activities concerned. WP1. "National Reports on Good e-Learning Practices in Key Competencies in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. Final Analyses" - Leading Organisation ‘’Discordia Ltd”. WP2. "Methodology development - Leading organisation" EMTrajning " WP3: Platform development - Leading organisation "Discordia Ltd”. WP4: "Materials Testing and Assessment - Leading organisation - "Instituto per Formazione IÓccupazione e la Mobilita " WP5: Learning Management platform- Leading organisation "Discordia Ltd” WP6: "Internal Evaluation and Quality Assurance"-Leading organisation - "Instituto per Formazione IÓccupazione e la Mobilita " WP 7: "Management and Implementation" - Leading organisation “Diskordia Ltd”. The expected results from the implementation of the project are as follows: -Innovation web-based platform for key competence training - language communication and digital competence; Trained instructions on how to work with the platform; - Develop a training system and training materials for "iTeaching" that can be applied in a variety of sectors, as the introduction of ICT in teaching and evaluation processes has a wide range of implications. - Introducing a systemic approach to VTC - VET requires a systemic approach linking the various measures aimed at enhancing the qualifications of professionals throughout their lives. The iTeaching project will encourage various public and private institutions working in this area to offer retraining opportunities for teachers. - Better experience in managing international projects - With the management of the entire project cycle, the lead organization will gain more confidence in designing project proposals, applying for future invitations and leading foreign partnerships. - Contributing to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy and the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training. The long-term effect of the project implementation is expressed in: Modernised VET in VTCs in the partner countries of this project - transition from traditional teaching to vocational training to interactive one through ICT use and improvement of the language skills of the teachers.
Although the number of VTCs registered in Bulgaria is impressive, access to know-how and innovative practices is still an obstacle to the development of some organizations working in the vocational education and training sector. The current project proposal "Interactive Teaching -" iTeaching "- Key Competences for Teachers in Vocational Training Centers (VTCs)" aims to develop and pilot a web-based platform for key competence training. This will help develop new educational practices to test innovative pedagogical approaches, curricula, through collaboration and exchange of experience. The project provided an opportunity for the transfer of innovative European practices to enhance the integration of information technology in teaching through the implementation of joint initiatives, exchange of ideas, knowledge and know-how as well as the promotion of cooperation in generating added value in the field of vocational education and training. The specific objectives of the project were: • Building a web-based platform for key competences training - language communication and digital competence. • Training of instructors with practical skills and tools for training and use of resources on key competences training to improve the educational capacity of teachers and employees in vocational training centers to provide a wide range of teaching ideas by introducing IT in the learning process; • Increasing teachers' key competences to upgrade their language and digital skills; • Introducing new teaching technologies that meet European standards and expectations in the field of vocational training in the context of stimulating the development of borderless education; • Modernization of education in Bulgaria and its engagement with business to increase the competitiveness of the Bulgarian society and economy in the future by increasing the capacity of the vocational training centers. The project was divided into seven Work Packages, each having its own leader - one of the partner organisations. Work packages and their leaders were selected according to their experience and capacity, relevant to the activities concerned. The Package WP1. "National Reports on Good e-Learning Practices in Key Competencies in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. Final Analyses" - Leading Organisation ‘’Discordia Ltd” was removed from the project, which necessitated work on it, although not to the same extent, as the results of this package were the basis of the WP2 and WP6 packages. WP2. "Methodology development - Leading organisation" Move on solution /EMTrajning/" WP3: Platform development - Leading organisation "Discordia Ltd”. WP4: "Materials Testing and Assessment - Leading organisation - "Instituto per Formazione IÓccupazione e la Mobilita " WP5: Learning Management platform- Leading organisation "Discordia Ltd” WP6: "Internal Evaluation and Quality Assurance"-Leading organisation - "Instituto per Formazione IÓccupazione e la Mobilita " WP7: "Management and Implementation" - Leading organisation “Diskordia Ltd”. The set results for the implementation of the project were achieved, including: -Innovation web-based platform for key competence training - language communication and digital competence; Trained instructions on how to work with the platform; - Develop a training system and training materials for "iTeaching" that can be applied in a variety of sectors, as the introduction of ICT in teaching and evaluation processes has a wide range of implications. - Introducing a systemic approach to VTC - VET requires a systemic approach linking the various measures aimed at enhancing the qualifications of professionals throughout their lives. The iTeaching project will encourage various public and private institutions working in this area to offer retraining opportunities for teachers. - Better experience in managing international projects - With the management of the entire project cycle, the lead organization will gain more confidence in designing project proposals, applying for future invitations and leading foreign partnerships. - Contributing to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy and the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training. It should be added that the web-based platform developed under the project can also be used for Vocational training by VET and Vocational High Schools. The long-term effect of the project implementation is expressed in: Мodernization VET in VTCs in the partner countries of this project - transition from traditional teaching to vocational training to interactive one through ICT use and improvement of the language skills of the teachers.