Context: Digital media is a new, engaging and effective learning opportunity for low qualified employees in small SMEs. In many countries, the formal education level of employees is still comparatively weak. Migration in Europe has led to an inflow of additional learners and employees who often have low levels of competence in written ‘educational’ language, in spite of good practical skills. Digital media can help to overcome the language barriers to learning by using more audio, video and visual material to support learning, and through working with practical materials in VET training institutions. Many VET trainers and SMEs, however, lack even basic digital competences which they would need to produce digital learning material or to use the media young learners actually use (smartphone applications, social networks, etc) for learning purposes. When organising their own in-company learning, SMEs must use digital media including pictures, visual instructions, well-designed short instructional texts, and video and audio formats, in order to reach out to low qualified employees for whom reading long and complex texts may not be the preferable method of learning. Often owners and managers of SMEs have not been educated in the effective use of digital media. Nevertheless, they act as the main source of training for their employees. Up to now owners, managers and trainers in small SMEs have frequently not caught up in developing their digital media skills. Small SMEs, particularly in more peripheral areas, lack the resources and time to attend training requiring a physical presence over long periods. As a consequence, they lack the competences to fully exploit the potential of a competent use of digital media for training their staff. Solution: Development of modular video online learning programmes, developed for the field of VET learning, shaped by guiding principles and concepts which were used, implemented and evaluated with very good results in Germany by ISOB and associated partner ‘SoWiBeFo e.V.’ (‘CoDiClust’ and ‘Media Pedagogy for Teachers’). Objectives: Enhance learning opportunities for low qualified employees through work-based learning, by developing skills for the competent use of digital learning media in VET trainers in and trainers in small SMEs. This was achieved through: - the support of trained Digital Media coaches - training of VET trainers and small SME trainers - the provision of training material - the provision of online learning Number and profile of participants: - 35 coaches trained - 70 VET trainers and small SME trainers trained - 350 facilitators in SMEs supported in developing training that uses digital media - 3,500 end recipients (low skilled employees trained with the materials) - 200 online users supported Description of activities: Development of 4 Intellectual Outputs: - Matrix of Competences for Digital Learning Coaching based on the State of the Art and Best Practices of Digital Workplace Learning and use of Digital Media in SMEs - Development of a Handbook of Media Competencies for Coaches of small SMEs - Handbook and Video guidelines for SME and VET trainers and facilitators responsible for training low-skilled employees and employees with weaker language competency - Development of Online Learning Platform and User Community - Delivery of learning activities in SMEs using digital media 14 Multiplier Events (300 participants) Wide dissemination activities (relevant networks of all partners). Promotional video Methodology: The VET trainers and SMEs profit from a sustainable support network based on 35 trained coaches for digital media use in work-based learning, state of the art training materials and an online learning portal. Face-to-face training of a core group of users as well as online support will kick-start a wider community of users of digital media in work-based learning. Results and impact: The project resulted in the availability of state of the art digital media for work-based learning. These were used on a wide scale as a consequence, which benefitted particularly learners with fewer qualifications and weaker language competences. Digital media and work-based learning were used more frequently. There is a high level of transferability to additional sectors and groups of learners. Long term benefits: Introducing digital media as a means to support work-based learning changed the learning culture in VET and SMEs. The system is more adaptable to changing technologies as more employees can qualify faster and more effectively through digitally supported work-based learning at the workplace, whilst working, in contrast to classroom training. This enhanced the learning opportunities for a wide range of employees and enhance their employability. SMEs enjoyed a more productive workforce. Using Digital Media this way contributed to the key competences for lifelong learning, ICT and digital literacy.
The objective of the project was to enhance the use of visual digital media in SMEs, to support the training of employees with low levels of qualifications. This was done through the development of modular online learning programme about the use of visual digital media. The focus was on using visual material for VET learning and shaped by guiding principles and concepts which were used, implemented and evaluated in through other projects in Germany by ISOB and ‘SoWiBeFo e.V.’ (e.g. ‘Coaches for Digital Learning’ and ‘Media Pedagogy for Teachers’). The competence of VET trainers and facilitators in SMEs for digital learning for producing digital learning was developed in two steps. The: a) acquisition of basic skills in digital visual media use b) use of digital media in training of staff who have low levels of qualifications A key feature of the project was the provision of support from trained coaches within the partner Organisations, for in-company trainers and facilitators as they introduced digital learning. In-company facilitators worked with the end recipients (low qualified staff as learners) to provide training through digital media in the workplace.
Digital media offers a new and effective way to engage employees who have low levels of qualifications and work in SMEs in learning. In many countries the formal education level of employees is still weak and migration within and to Europe has led to an inflow of additional learners who lack the levels of language to engage in learning using traditional techniques. Digital media can help to overcome this barrier to learning by using more audio, video and visual material to support learning. However, the majority of VET trainers and SMEs lack the competences needed to use digital media in this way. Indeed, a study by the German Institute for Vocational Training revealed that this is the case even in advanced industrial countries (BIBB, 2016). Needs addressed: Universities and VET Organisations The consultancy capacity of universities and VET Organisations needed to be strengthened in line with international good practice. This project has provided a matrix of competencies to guide the development of coaches. It has gone on to develop and implement training to coaches on how to support the development of training that uses digital media in SMEs. SME Organisations The project has also contributed to the priority “Supporting the uptake of innovative approaches and digital technologies” through increasing the use of digital media for training and development in SMEs. Owners and managers of SMEs that had not had the opportunity to learn how to use digital media effectively to train their staff have now been able to. The project has addressed the need for professional training of trainers in SMEs for the use of digital media and technology for VET. SME staff The project partners, based on literature and their own experiences, found that SME staff need to be upskilled in “the promotion of innovative pedagogies and methods for teaching, learning and assessment”, and to “support educators and learners to use digital technologies in creative, collaborative and efficient ways” (Erasmus+ Guide 2019, p.103). The project has taken the opportunity to use these new and effective learning and development techniques to enhance the skills of employees in SMEs and especially those from disadvantaged groups (e.g. migrants). Digital media has helped overcome language barriers to learning by utilising audio-visual material. It has proven particularly useful in supporting learning of practical skills, and work processes as it is easy to access and understand by people irrespective of their language abilities.