Digital technologies are impacting not only on the way we work and play but also on how we teach and learn. It is creating opportunities for VET teacher/trainers, VET institutes and the VET sector to innovate how training and education is delivered. However, the adoption of these technologies remains slower within VET than in most other sectors. One study by the European Commission (Survey of Schools: ICT in Education) found that only twenty-five per cent of students in the European Union are taught by digitally confident and supportive teachers: another study by the OECD found that fifty-six per cent of teachers report that they have “moderate to high development needs” when it comes to using technology at work. Most VET teacher/trainers do not fully understand the potential of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and how to integrate technology into their training. Building the digital skills of teacher/trainers and students is essential if European enterprises are to compete effectively in the global marketplace. One group that is often overlooked when it comes to technology skills training is VET teacher/trainers. Many find the pace of technological change frustrating. Others feel intimidated by technology in the classroom, especially as millennials have high expectations regarding the use of technology at work, at home and in learning. VET teacher/trainers and institutes need to embrace digitisation and modernise how they deliver VET courses: the sector needs to innovate, and design VET courses fit for the 21st. The E-Growth project to support the continuous professional development of VET teacher/trainers in the use of TEL within in VET courses. It will promote modern pedagogical, training methods and teaching practices, and develop learning materials and tools that support the effective use TEL. E-Growth will be executed by a partnership of six organisation from five different EU countries: CZ, UK, ES, HU and EL. The partners hip comprises an NGO, a university a VET centre and SMEs. Partners will demonstrate how VET teacher/trainers and VET institutes can develop and deliver TEL training. This will be achieved by creating a set of VET tools and resources which can be used in the delivery of entrepreneurship training. It will involve the design, development and implementation of a new digital simulation called, Entrepreneurs - Going for Growth, and the publication of an e-book called ‘A Guide to Using TEL in VET’. What makes this project innovative is that the E-Growth project will provide a complete package of materials and tools enabling VET teacher/trainers, VET institutes and other stakeholders to develop and implement their own TEL training courses. It will showcase the latest digital technologies and how they are being used within VET. The E-Growth project will impact on the professional development and skills of VET teacher/trainers. It will also impact on institutes and stakeholder involved in VET education by demonstrating how digital technology can support the development of new training and teaching methods and improve the effectiveness and impact of courses. Finally, E-Growth will contribute to the development of a modern and digital VET sector that is better equipped to meet the needs of the 21st students leading to a more digitally competent and productive European workforce.
Two objectives were established: 1) How to develop a VET sector to meet the demands of the digital era and 2) how to support entrepreneurship by using digital technologies widely. VET teachers need to know how to use digital technologies in different teaching situations: in lectures, practical exercises, projects, homework and ways of testing. In doing so, they will work with young students with extensive experience with digital gadgets because they already grew up in the digital technologies' development periods. This requires new procedures to the current standard teaching methods: new methodologies, new study aids, and a new way of communicating with students. In addition, the new learning approaches and curriculum organisation must also be accessible to older students who attend adult courses as part of lifelong learning. This requires a great emphasis on the content and forms of presented educational materials. Most educational materials must include topics that will inspire students – both young and old - to use TEL in their daily practice. This means using examples of good practice, overviews of managerial skills and interactive study materials such as online tests, quizzes, and computer games.
The project E-Growth (the project) aims to implement "Technology Enhanced Learning" (TEL) to increase the impact and effectiveness of digital technologies in VET training courses to fit better the needs of millennials entering the labour market. The project follows the European Commission's long-term strategies "A Stronger Digital Europe: Our Call towards Action 2025", "Communication on the Digital Education Action Plan", "New Skills Agenda for Europe" to prepare VET teachers, young people, entrepreneurs have the skills necessary for tomorrow's jobs and new work-based challenges. The project enables VET institutes and the VET sector to provide students and VET teachers with the opportunity to use digital tools and materials in their daily teaching and learning activities leading to the upgrade of their digital skills and personal performance. The idea of the project directly impacts the continuous professional development of VET teachers as well as the indirect development of others involved in their process of digitalisation. Implementation of TEL will support the development of VET teachers and VET institutes more widely outside of the project and also will help the entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises.