The world today is digital. In trainings, various types of digital devices are used. This includes desktop PCs, laptops, notebooks, Chromebooks, tablets, covertibles and smartphones. We call them “Multiple Devices”. They enable the use of technology enhanced trainings with an implementation of multimedia-based and interactive (M&I) training materials. This sounds simple – the problem is the delivery of content so that it is displayed (and can be used by the trainees) on all types of devices. Another issue (in this context) is the creating of high-quality multimedia-based and interactive (M&I) content – especially in smaller Adult Education organisations. The project serves to exchange experiences and to develop digital skills, especially in the multimedia area within the staff of the participating organisations. Furthermore, the development and use of M&I learning materials should be worked out together, brought into context with multiple devices and developed in a comprehensive documentation. A special focus is put on methodology and approaches to support seniors in this digital-oriented learning and trainings. Furthermore, the organisations will use the gained experience and knowledge to promote Erasmus+ programs - and in this sence especially courses - to all generations in their home countries. The project aims to increase the knowledge and skills in the participating organizations to create and use M&I content, with particular attention to multiple devices and a specific focus to seniors.. The project’s objectives are planned to achieve the goals described. * Analyses of the use of multiple devices in Adult Education courses. This analysis does not exist for Adult Education currently. * Analyses and testing of the possibilities (tools) to create interactive and multimedia-based content (dependent of the course environments) * Analyses of possible platforms that support creating interactive and multimedia content. (Moodle is the standard here, but also alternative options, like some populas and easy-to-use Content Management Systems (like WordPress) as a learning platform will be analysed. * Establishment and set up of a community of adult education institutions, which uses multiple devices as well as they develop strategies to develop multimedia-based and interactive training materials. Four Adult Aducation (AE) organisations, well distributed in Europe and with complementary profiles will cooperate in this project: * EBI/EIE is an AE focusing on older people, established in a small town/rural environment (Austria); * AJITER focuses on younger people on a remote place (Azores, Portugal); * Brainlog is involved in AE in near context with authorities in a bigger city in Denmark, and * EuphoriaNet is a business-oriented AE organization in a European capital town (Rome, Italy). The planned activities focus on a practical case study about the versatile use of Multiple Devices, an analyses of available Multimedia & Interactive freeware tools, their usability and possible utilization for planning and developing training content (including the development of examples/pilots). Also, an analysis of possible learning platforms - as described above - will be done. Finally, the findings will be summarized in an “implementation guide”. A special focus is put to develop methodologies that support seniors best. Parallel to these activities networking will be undertaken to create a community of interested Adult Education providers in Europe. An ePale group will work as the core instrument to create this community. The methodology to achieve the desired results will be based on a cloud-based working platform where the content will be developed; ideas will be published there and developed in a joint group process using the classical tools like comments and suggestions. Physical transnational and virtual meetings will be part of the creation process. The project’s result will be several documents summarizing the findings with a central document, the “Implementation Guide for M&I based trainings using Multiple Devices”. Material will be published web-based as PDF end ePub but also in a printed version in English language. The impact of the project to partners and stakeholdes will be the competences to create efficient technology-enhanced trainings (using Multiple Devices and M&I tools) for the participating organisations and the upbuild community. The long-term benefits of the project will be the chance of further development of M&I based on the project findings. The availability of appropriate free tools paired with the knowledge of their use and the competence to deliver the M&I based content equally on all currently available devices is the starting point of further developments and amendments in AE trainings.
The following objectives were planned to achieve the goals described in the project’s aim: The first step was creating an analysis of the use of Multiple Devices in Adult Education training courses. This was followed by an analysis of the possibilities (or tools) to create interactive and multimedia-based training content (dependent on the course environments and matching the organisation’s needs). To implement the multimedia and interactive content easily, an analysis of possible platforms was initiated. Focus was put on platforms that support creating interactive and multimedia content (Moodle is the standard here, but too complex – especially for small Adult Education organisations with limited technical skills). Therefore, alternative options, like the use of WordPress as a learning platform, were checked). Finally, the establishment and set up of a community of adult education institutions was done, addressing organisations and trainers which use multiple devices and will use multimedia and interactive training materials in their training. This was done with an EPALE group, supported by other well-selected dissemination channels. Additionally, an OERCommons group has been created to share the project's outcomes.
The EBI identified problems in the effective use of multimedia-based and interactive materials in adult training. Additionally, obstacles occurred in these courses, which were based on the diversity of the devices used (called “Multiple Devices”). Not all material could be displayed in a correct manner. Additionally, efficient, and free-to-use tools were missing as well as the more profound going knowledge and skills of the trainers. The significant identified need was to develop multimedia content, displayable on all devices using free tools. Regular exchanges with other organisations (in the frame of conferences and former projects) showed that this problem also exists in these organisations in other countries. Therefore, the EBI started an initiative with other organisations to solve these problems and improve the training situation. This was the start of the project. As part of the planning, finding simple learning platforms was included in the objectives as an additional task. The project aimed to increase the participating organisations' knowledge and skills to create and use multimedia and interactive content, with particular attention to Multiple Devices, and to implement them in easy-to-handle learning platforms.