LEARNIFY aimed to improve the quality of online language learning and teaching. Our primary goal was to enhance the digital gamification skills of language tutors to boost student engagement and learning quality. Objective 1: Increase confidence of 50 language tutors by 20% in using digital game elements. Outcome 1: 50 tutors felt more confident and used at least 5 new digital tools. Objective 2: Enhance teaching skills of 10 language tutors through digital game-based methods over 10 months. Outcome 2: Reduce the dropout rate of adult learners by 20% over 12 months. Objective 3: Build the capacity of 100+ language tutors with innovative digital tools over 12 months. Outcome 3: Create an educational toolkit with contributions from 20 tutors. By enhancing digital teaching skills, we improved quality assurance in vocational education and training (VET). This project built digital readiness among tutors, increased resilience, and enhanced online teaching. Key outcomes included training courses and a resource toolkit. Gamification and game-based learning were chosen to empower tutors and foster motivation, proving effective for adult learners.
We applied for this project to enhance the digital gamification skills of our language tutors, aiming to increase student engagement in online classrooms. The lack of digital skills among our teachers was impacting both our organizations and adult learners, leading to unengaging lessons and high dropout rates. Our analysis highlighted that tutors' limited skills created one-way lessons, negatively affecting the learning experience. On a European level, adult participation in education declines with age, as confirmed by the International Adult Literacy Survey, with various deterrents affecting participation rates. This project equipped 10 language tutors with essential skills to create interactive lessons, benefiting over 300 adult learners weekly. Multiplication events and an online community extended these benefits to over 150 additional tutors. Improved teaching quality reduced dropout rates and positively changed perceptions of language learning, leading to better social skills and a more inclusive society. An online survey of our tutors revealed challenges in maintaining motivation and using digital tools. Our activities addressed these needs, enhancing teaching methodologies and reducing dropouts.