Digital Education for All - Development of Technology Enhanced Learning for Unemployed Persons

During 2020, there was a need to change the way of implementing formal and informal education, from traditional way of learning that took place in classrooms, to online education. Although online education was known even before the COVID 19 pandemic, pandemic had a significant impact on the implementation of regular classes as well as on the way adults participate in education processes. The aforementioned situation required the development of new and innovative solutions in the education. New approaches in education could potentially influence the increase of differences in access to education (related to technical prerequisites and IT knowledge of the participants).While younger people adapted very quickly to "new normal" in the field of education, older people and less educated had a harder time adapting, which resulted in their non-participation in adult education programs. With this project, we brought online learning closer to people who had a negative attitude towards online learning, especially the long-term unemployed and people with a lower level of education. Through the project, we also strengthened the capacities of institutions that provide support for the unemployed in order to work in an online environment.

Five partner organizations from four European Union countries that have experience in the field of formal and informal education of adults and belong to different sectors (university, college, non-governmental organization, company and institution that provides services to the unemployed) have decided to unite their knowledge and experience from their previous work and developed an innovative tool that will be widely used in online adult education activities, and which is adapted for use by people who have basic IT knowledge. The goal of our project was to include long-term unemployed people (with an emphasis on women) in the processes of online education and/or hybrid classes through the development of an innovative digital tool that will enable them to acquire the competencies needed in the labor market. In order to achieve the goal, we have developed a web application that is accessible for use by people with minimal IT literacy, access to the application is also possible through mobile phones, and in addition to the assessment of candidates, participation in selected courses, the implementation of virtual practice and the evaluation of education results are also possible

1. Development of a web application for online education of the unemployed RAD (Rapid - application development) methodology was used to develop this APP. It consists of 4 phases: 1. Requirements planning phase – combined elements of the system planning and systems analysis phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Users, managers, and IT staff members discussed and agreed on business needs, project scope, constraints, and system requirements. It ended when the team agreed on the key issues and obtained management authorization to continue. 2. User design phase – during this phase, users interacted with systems analysts and developed models and prototypes that represent all system processes, inputs, and outputs. The RAD groups or subgroups typically use a combination of Joint Application Development (JAD) techniques and CASE tools to translate user needs into working models. User Design is a continuous interactive process that allows users to understand, modify, and eventually approve a working model of the system that meets their needs. 3. Construction phase – focused on program and application development tasks similar to the SDLC. In RAD, however, users continue to participate and can still suggest changes or improvements as actual screens or reports are developed. Its tasks were programming and application development, coding, unit integration and system testing. 4. Cutover phase – resembled the final tasks in the SDLC implementation phase, including data conversion, testing, changeover to the new system, and user training. Compared with traditional methods, the entire process is compressed. As a result, the new system was built, delivered, and placed in operation. Web Application Development: A domain was leased for this activity. Following that, a web application design proposal was created, taking into account visibility rules and the ease of access for the target audience, with a focus on long-term unemployed individuals, those with lower levels of education, and limited IT knowledge. The web application (platform) includes the following components: initial tests, course list (10 courses), online learning materials (PDF, Genially interactive presentations, video materials in partner languages, and in English language), final tests, confirmation, and online internships (10 legal entities). All partner organizations participated in the development of the web application, with the leading roles played by the "ŽENA" association and Eurokreator (design and implementation of the web application). HZZ-CISOK and Palacky University took the lead in creating the initial test, allowing the selection of courses based on knowledge, skills, experience, and personal characteristics of potential participants. Other partner organizations participated in the finalization of tests through online Zoom meetings. As part of this activity, all partner organizations selected organizations offering virtual internships for online courses: in Croatia (ŽENA, Spartak; LAG More, Društvo za pomoć osobama s intelektualnim teškoćama Osijek), the Czech Republic (Palacky University, Spolek Škola porozumeni a sdileni), Poland (Eurokreator, ERA Association), and Slovenia (The Butterfly Centre for the Elderly, Ljudska Univerza Slovenska Bistrica). Each organization filled out a letter of intent which defined the details of the online practice implementation. The practice was further defined by an educational program developed within R3 (number of hours of practical work). As part of this activity, a certificate was designed and created for participants upon completion of the courses. Additionally, a Holland test was developed, suggesting careers in line with participants' demonstrated knowledge and skills. Link: https://educate-me.eu/ 2. Creation of Digital User Guides for Web Application Usage: Three digital user guides were created to facilitate the use of the platform for users, organizations offering online internships, and administrators. The reason behind this was to make it easier for all participants in the process of using the web application. The user manuals are available in PDF and online formats. Two organizations, "ŽENA" and Eurokreator, participated in creating the manuals. 3. Development of Online Courses for Unemployed Education: Each partner organization developed two courses, including an educational program, materials in PDF format, an Genially interactive presentation format, and a video format. Additionally, a test was developed to assess acquired knowledge at the end of each course. The courses themes are following: Communication Skills, Active Listening, How to look for a job via internet, Skills needed in the labor market, Cybersecurity, E-Citizen, Basic English, Basics of IT, Project Thinking, and Development and Implementation of non-institutional social services. 4. Organization of a Three-Day LTT Activity (Blended Mobility) for Web Application Testing: The three-day LTT activity was held in Šibenik (originally planned in Zadar). 36 individuals participated, including 11 experts, 4 students, and 21 unemployed individuals, of which 19 were unemployed women. Before the LTT activity, invitations were posted on the web and Facebook pages of participating organizations, and four preparatory meetings were held in each partner organization country. An evaluation of this activity was conducted at its conclusion. 5. Organization of Four Multiplier Events (4 Hybrid Conferences in Each Participating Country): A total of 413 people participated in the hybrid conferences (Croatia – 68 in person and 57 online, Poland – 63 in person and 7 online, the Czech Republic – 88 in person and 45 online, Slovenia – 65 in person and 20 online). 6. Organization of Four Transnational Meetings: Five transnational meetings were held in total (the first kick-off was held online). Therefore, in September 2023, a meeting was organized in Drniš, considering the project's extended duration and the need to coordinate hybrid conferences and finalize project results. 7. Project Management, Administration, and Promotion Activities: For management purposes, each partner organization appointed a person responsible for leading and monitoring activities within the organization. At the kick-off meeting, all partners received necessary documentation for the successful implementation and monitoring of the project. During the implementation, additional materials and tables with explanations (description of activities, outcomes, deadlines, budget item explanations) were created to facilitate the implementation for partner organizations. For improved communication, a dedicated email address for the project (erasmus.zena@gmail.com) was created, and materials were shared via Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/my-drive). Alongside regular forms, detailed tables explaining project tasks, deadlines, days for experts, and amounts were available to partners. Regular communication via email was maintained, along with partner meetings and team meetings (online) on: 23.02.2022., 03.03.2022., 23.03.2022., 01.04.2022. - online meeting with partners from the People's University of Slovenska Bistrica to clarify certain costs, 14.04.2022., 25.05.2022., 07.07.2022., 18.07.2022., 27.07.2022., 25.11.2022. - meeting with HZZ representatives in their premises, 28.03. 2023., 05.04.2023., 05.05.2023., 02.06.2023., 16.06.2023., 20.07.2023., 23.08.2023., 05.09.2023., 25.09.2023., 09.10.2023., 16.10.2023. Meetings were organized with the help of Doodle tools, and a record was made for each meeting, posted on Google Drive. A meeting was organized on 15.11.2023. to prepare for the final report. For project promotion, promotional materials were created, including 125 posters in Croatian and English, 70 notepads, 100 pens, 2 banners, 200 leaflets. Additionally, posters and leaflets were printed by partner organizations in the languages of their countries. 15 articles were published in local media (7 in Croatia, 4 in Slovenia, 3 in the Czech Republic, 1 in Poland), over 10 articles on EPALE, 32 posts on partner’s websites, and 30 posts on Facebook pages of partner organizations. A project Facebook page was created, publishing 40 articles. Promotional materials were distributed during project activities and at an INFO stand during NGO Day (June 2, 2023). Flyers about the project were also distributed in HZZ branches.

1. A web application has been developed which embodies the following workflow: The user undergoes an initial skills evaluation test, facilitating tutoring institutions in gaining better insights and identifying areas for improvement more efficiently. Users receive professional career development advice and can freely choose career education/training that emphasizes modern digital collaboration tools and is entirely conducted online through the web app. Upon successful completion of the education/training, the user takes a remote internship position in a partner stakeholder company or institution. At the end of the process, the platform issues a certificate for acquired skills (formal or informal) to a user who successfully completes the program. Educational materials are available in the languages of participating organizations, as well as in English, in PDF format, as an Genially interactive presentation, and as a video material. We have also taken into account web accessibility to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Internet. Link for the platform: https://www.educate-me.eu. 2. A manual has been created (3 types) that contains instruction on how to use the application, but also informs the target audience about the benefits of online education (a digital manual available in PDF format). 3.Ten online courses have been designed and developed for long-term unemployed individuals, which can be adapted to the specific needs of different groups, such as a video for the elderly and an interactive presentation for younger individuals. Each organization has developed two programs that are uploaded to the web application. The programs include a theoretical part (in PDF format, an interactive presentation, and video), exercise materials, and tests. 4. Application testing conducted (LTT activities - blended mobility) with the participation of 36 participants, including 11 experts, 4 students, and 21 unemployed individuals, of which 19 are unemployed women. The participation of at least 25 long-term unemployed individuals was planned to present different groups, with a minimum of 60% women and experts working with the unemployed. 5. A minimum of 10 legal entities involved in the implementation of virtual internships (Croatia - ŽENA, Spartak; LAG More, Društvo za pomoć osobama s intelektualnim teškoćama Osijek, Czech Republic - Palacky University, Spolek Škola porozumeni a sdileni, Poland - Eurokreator, ERA Association, Slovenia - The Butterfly Centre for the Elderly, Ljudska Univerza Slovenska Bistrica). 6. Four two-day hybrid conferences held to present project results with 413 participants. 7. 247 long-term unemployed individuals have used the web application (minimum 50 from each country) by the end of the project. 8. Five transnational meetings held with a minimum of 8,2 participants on average at each meeting. 9. 22 online project management meetings held. 10. A project package has been created for the successful implementation of projects, including a participant list template, Gantt chart, cost table, table with expert work hours, cost tracking table, implementation rules, reporting form, press clipping form, and announcements form. 11. Printed and distributed 125 posters, 2 roll-up banners, created a project's Facebook page 40 posts, published a 30 posts on the Facebook pages of partner organizations, and 15 articles in local media. Additionally, a film about the project results has been produced.