Web Based Trainers´  Wide Open Resource for Learning and Development

www.wbtworld.ro

Project: RO/02/B/F/PP-141053

Duration: 01/08/2004 - 31/01/2006, 18 months

WBT WORLD intents to develop a flexible educational tool supported by Internet and new ICT technologies. This will enable WBT to use the information and instruction necessary for designing web-based courses in a better way. Through its informational content (eLearning, articles, periodical reviews, presentation of new technologies in the field, etc.) the WBT have the possibility of updating their knowledge continually. The course packages are designed for the WBT specific needs and guarantees continuous development. Besides, the flexible and accessible character of the courses raises the chances for access in an ODL-specific instruction for larger categories of teachers and trainers. Furthermore, a self-developing, wide open virtual community of the WBT will be accessible to any professionals willing to share his/her experience.

Partnership:
► Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania – the Coordinator
► Elite Training & Development Ltd, Romania
► TEMPO Training & Consulting, Czech Republic
► European Centre for Education and Training (ECET) , Bulgaria
► Foundation ECCA , Spain
► General Foundation of the Valladolid University, Spain
► IONIAN TECHNOLOGIES Ltd., Greece
► VISIOLINK LTD., Finland
► WiTEC Finland
► Infinity Ltd., Hungary

Tempo´s role
► Attending trans-national meetings; cooperation within partnership towards achieving project goals;
► Participating in the research activity upon the best practices, methods and competences of WBT in own country;
► Elaboration of the web-based modular interactive courses upon specifications to be established in partnership;
► Assistance to courses' implementation;
► Implementing and evaluating the courses (including the delivery of the web-based modular interactive courses) upon specifications to be established within partnership;
► Participating in designing of the promotional materials (informative brochures and CDs);
► Publishing and updating the information regarding the project on their web-site;
► Translation and adaptation of the materials created within the project;
► Dissemination of the information related to the project development and its results, using specific means.

Aims, objectives
► To contribute at the quality improvement of the web-based courses, at European level, streamlining this way to the EU policies and initiatives in the direction of stimulating the eLearning and specifically the Internet-based ODL system.
► To create the premises of lifelong development of WBT' competences, by developing interactive on-line courses tailored on their specific needs, as well as promoting and maintaining a close contact with their changing needs
► To create the premises of an more effective use of the educational resources of the Internet by taking into consideration new methods and pedagogical instruments enabled by the current technological development (e.g. the continuously larger use of videoconference will enhance the use of experiential learning methods over the Internet) and not sufficiently exploited in the pedagogical structure of the existing ODL system
► To create an active and open community of the WBT, that will contribute to the raise of competitiveness and continue development of the web-based learning, as well as to finding new technical and pedagogical solutions for designing high quality courses, accessible in the same time to a larger number of users.
► To raise the chances for access at ODL specific instruction for broader categories of teachers and trainers, contributing this way at diminishing the existing differences between various education institutions (schools, private universities vs. public universities) or between different geographical areas in Europe.
► To contribute at improving and enlarging the offer and spreading (as area of applicability) of the Internet-based courses

Results/Products:
►ASK-eAccess-LDT
► A comprehensive directory of best practices used in Web-based learning across Europe, gathering information from different countries, types and levels of education; it will include pedagogical approaches, methods and, of course, specific results obtained. Two packages of on-line courses (16 titles) just tailor made on the specific needs of the target group, with the following characteristics: The topics will cover 2 set of competences: technical (aiming at developing skills for using Internet as a pedagogical tool) and pedagogical (aiming at developing skills for using best pedagogical approaches and methods for web-based courses).
► There will be taken into consideration 3 degrees of complexity (basic, intermediate and advanced). There will be covered both the background information of the topic and exercises for skills improvement.
► The courses will be modular and will include on-line evaluation questionnaires, at the beginning and at the end of the course, as well as after every module. For each course, the trainees will have the possibility to download in electronic format a handout for future reference.
► The necessary time to go through every module will be no longer than 2 hours, in order to maintain the flexible character and the time limit pressure-free of the learning process.
► A self-administered on-line questionnaire meant to help the WBT to evaluate their competencies, to discover their strengths and weaknesses, and to act consequently; several courses will be recommended in order to satisfy the specific needs.
► The WBT WORLD site will be completed by: A section containing policies and successful initiatives in web-based learning from different European countries, that could bring together and share experiences and good practices among WBT.
► A section of articles, news, books reviews, events, on the topic of Web-based ODL development on open submission (anyone in the world with a good article might publish in this section).
► A continuously updated database of web-based educational software (demo, freeware or shareware versions), on open submission, as well.
► A newsletter server, in order to provide an effective dissemination of the results and information related to the project. There will be a free subscription for everyone who is interested on these specific issues.
► Other Internet facilities that will help the WBT community cohesion (forum, IRC etc.).