Domain Academy had the advantage to work before the submission of the Erasmus+ Project with potential destination countries and hosting organisations. Both confirmed partners, Faculté Des Métiers de l’Essonne from France and Glemmen videregående skole from Norway showed immediate interest to join the ‘VOCATIONAL EDUCATION LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGIES DEVELOPMENT’ project. The fact that Domain Academy had already worked with both vocational institutions in a number of internships in Malta helped a lot. The preliminary discussions that we had concerning the staff mobility’s and the possibility of internships started on a positive environment. During a webinar with each respective organization and a chain of emails, the following have been targeted to be implemented during the Erasmus+ Project period: • Staff mobility: An overview of the subjects taught at each Institution. Brief curriculum overview, typical scheme of works and lesson plans. Teaching resources and Job shadowing. In this part a list of participants have been exchanged between the two institutions. These details served to assist in the planning of the activities. The proposed planning gave a realistic representation of what it is intended to be implemented. Of course, all plans must evolve. It has been agreed that during implementation one will be allowed to change details such as destinations, the number of participants and duration of activities, as long as you continue working towards the same objectives. Methods of assessment and online platform used. Strengthening and motivate staff through exchanges. Keep staff updated and abreast on the technologies being used in lecturing and hands on experience. Visit prospective companies to accommodate interns during their internship. The cultural aspect. • Internships (Work Placements): To have intensive discussions about the possible companies who are interested to take onboard interns for their internship. Visit possible accommodations close to the work placement. Prior to the internship to explore tasks to be implemented. • Students’ Engagement in the Institution management structure: The countries support that exists to students for a successful, sustainable guidance interventions, has been considered and included during the interns’ internship. The institutions agreed to consider the innovative ways that the institutions use their resources and technology to assist and enhance the engagement of the learners during their internship. Thus the learners couldn't find themselves isolated. The learners engagement at the work placement and its impact on their respective set outcomes, where discussed and evaluated prior to the internship. The learners’ possibility to use Glemmen’s premises in their free time have been an added value during their internship. This gave the learners the possibility to participate in some cultural activities. It is important to note that during the staff mobility visit to Faculté Des Métiers de l’Essonne, in France, discussion were held about the possibility to involve Domain Group in the delivery of one of the modules of a Master’s programme. Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic these discussions have been temporarily suspended.
The Domain Academy Philosophy of Education is a holistic conception of education that focuses on all aspects of the human experience including the importance of dialogue and inter-culturalism. Domain Academy endorses a student-learning pedagogy methodology that acknowledges the importance of differentiated learning and instruction. Domain Academy believes in the importance of all kinds of research including academic and action-based research which produces tangible results. Domain Academy strives to achieve the highest quality standards in vocational and higher education. The Vision of Domain Academy is to offer high-quality education and learning experiences supported by active and research activities in a variety of fields connected to recognized and developing professions ( such as ICT and Computer Studies, Business, Management, Leadership, Hospitality, Sport) while offering learners a genuine multicultural and intercultural experience. Moreover, Domain Academy promotes a holistic and centered perspective to learning, pedagogy and the academic and professional experience keeping in mind the importance of diversity and inter-culturalism. In keeping with the Bologna Process, Domain Academy believes that regular learners and staff feedback and involvement are crucial and rigorous quality assurance process within the institution. This process forms an integral and crucial part of the quality assurance system within Domain Academy. Domain Academy has created a number of strong partnerships in teaching and learning with universities in the UK. Plans are currently in place to continue to expand these international partnerships with other Universities both in UK and other countries. These include partnership with University of Derby and Pearson Edexcel (through BTEC). Our project should link to an education program with mobility for staff members on educational subjects such as IT, Quality Assurance, curriculums, internships, work placements and delivery of lessons and where applicable attend lessons and explore other related areas. There will also be discussions in relation to apprenticeship schemes being adopted. It is important to compare both institution’s educational structures so that it is clear where learners exchange can take place. During these discussions one needs to explore the possibility to study UNITS/MODULES at each respective college. From recent learners’ surveys and staff members’ feedback, it resulted in relatively good results on motivation, but it has been noticed that motivation is somewhat worse in some classes especially in the Diploma courses. Technologies are evolving at a very fast pace, both nationally and, not the least, internationally. In Malta and Europe, the electives are in rapid development. Automation and robotics, together with IT and internet technologies are increasingly incorporated in industry.