Vocational education institutions are currently facing the challenge of seeking the innovate ways of conducting their education work (teaching, training, mentoring), especially in light of the recent technological, economic and social changes resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu) published in 2017 describes the digital competencies specific to the teaching profession. However, there appear to be certain competencies (not all of them necessarilly digital) that are inevitable for a quality online education delivery. Recent study of the European Commission "Fight against COVID-19" among educators has shown that education systems of the EU member states were unprepared for the crisis of this size. Although there is a vast number of online courses/learning modules available, they are mostly not VET specific. Ready-made material with VET specific content is less developed or missing completely. In most cases, these focus exclusively on theoretical knowledge; in a few cases, demonstrations in ad-hoc videos, or step by step instructions are used to show the more practical skills linked to a specific VET profession. Vocational education and training appears to be strongly disadvantaged. This gap is most significant in two distinct areas: 1. the VET teachers need to upgrade their teaching skills to the requirements of the online, digital or virtual training delivery. While there are still plenty of similarities between teaching online and in the classroom, there are many areas that are qualitatively different. The role of the teacher changes and becomes also a: - E-learning Designer - Technology Specialist - Content Coach - Social Director - Managing Correspondent All these roles need to blend in a new teacher able to deliver engaging lessons. 2. the VET teachers need to be equipped by new (digital) tools to design and develop their digital online or virtual training lessons, such as: - Learning Management Systems - Learning Experience Platforms - Video Training Tools - Microlearning Platforms - Mobile Tools - Project Management and Planning Tools - Content Creation Tools - Content Management Tools - Communication Tools The COVET project intends to design a quality training program for VET teachers and trainers to help them meet current and future requirements on digital training delviery in VET. This CPD training program will cover both above mentioned areas to make the VET teachers competent for the quality online training and its overall management.
The goal of the project is to enhance the quality of digital teaching in vocational education and training (VET) by addressing the need for preparedness, proactivity, and utilization within the VET system. The project aims to provide VET teachers with a tool for coordinating the work assigned to students on an everyday basis, as well as upgrade their digital skills and knowledge. By doing so, they will be better equipped to utilize electronic materials for everyday teaching and be prepared for unpredictable situations, such as a crisis or an internet blackout. The project also aims to improve communication channels with students and improve the efficacy of instruction and education. The ultimate outcome of the project is the adaptation of VET educators to the requirements of quality digital teaching, resulting in improved teaching and training in partner organizations, improved readiness for unexpected situations, and increased potential for involvement in other international projects.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the education system to shift to online teaching, causing a major disruption in the traditional classroom-based teaching approach. Teachers have faced challenges in adapting to the new system and have had to change their teaching methods to ensure effective learning for their students. This project aimed to address the need for continuous professional development for vocational education and training (VET) teachers and trainers in digital competencies required for effective online teaching. The project's main objective was to design a CPD program that would upskill VET teachers in online lesson design and delivery, and the program would focus on independent, participation-based, and interactive learning to improve their capabilities. The target group for this project was professional teaching staff looking to upskill and become effective online teachers and trainers. Overall, this project aimed to facilitate the necessary changes in the education system brought about by the pandemic by improving teachers' digital literacy and enabling them to provide high-quality online education to their students.