VACCINE-project is a joint effort between four different EU partners to tackle with the major question of online learning during a pandemic or similar major shock in society that drives the teaching away form traditional methods. The chosen approach is called “hybrid pedagogy”, which means organizing learning so that it takes places simultaneously in a physical space such as classroom or a workshop and online. This project also defines it’s target groups as VET staff members, who work with special needs, or vulnerable students. Main project outcomes include the following: - literature review - methodology for readiness scale - the readiness scales combining teachers’ pedagogical and technical competences with corresponding ones for their students - collection of teacher toolboxes connected with the produced readiness scales The desired impact of this project is aimed as being strong and immediate. This is achieved with efficient dissemination and exploitation of results in both learning, teaching and training events together with multiplier events and social and multimedia information sharing.
VACCINE project's main aim was to find solutions and tools for inclusion of vulnerable students and tools for their teachers to use modern technology and pedagogical principles. The practice is called “Hybrid”. Hybrid pedagogy simply means teaching arrangements where one part of the training takes place in learning facilities and at the same time another part is done online. The arrangements aimed to fit both a school based and a dual system based VET learning setting. This project aimed at having significant impact on its final target groups, students with special needs together with primary target group being teachers and trainers working with the students. The impact is created in creating and distributing concrete toolboxes for teachers. Also the point of view of school / education managers was taken into account. They are the ones making decisions about the resources and strategy. Along with the development of concrete tools, VACCINE's goal was joint international learning. The development of digital pedagogical methods for students with special needs is a big challenge all over Europe. VACCINE is a part of the development of digital tools and means in European Union. At the same time VACCINE supports equality and inclusion.
COVID19 pandemic effects revealed new ongoing needs for new VET hybrid practices. During the sudden change on spring 2020 VET organisations started organize teaching and training online with some background, but not carefully planned model suitable for all pedagogical needs. Students with learning difficulties and problems with inclusion suffered the most. The real danger was that these students would drop out from their studies due to several different reasons: socio-economic, behavioural and learning style-related challenges. Reasons varied also between different European countries and cultures and their pedagogical arrangements. This was one main reason why “VACCINE” was carried out transnationally. Finland represented “Nordic approach”, Germany and Austria the so called “Dual Model approach” and Italy “Southern European method and tradition”. Each approach was bringing some elements to the project outcomes. VACCINE project's main aim was to find solutions and tools for inclusion of vulnerable students and tools for their teachers to use modern technology and pedagogical principles. The need for suitable hybrid pedagogical means for SNE-students was obvious and concrete.