QUEST - Qualifying for the Ultimate Engaging Smart Training

COVID-19 imposed emergent remote teaching and learning globally, leading to a steep learning curve for teachers, trainers, learners, and families, and exposing weaknesses in integrating digital te...

The QUEST project successfully contributed to skilling educators in effectively using digital technologies in their teaching and training processes, aligning with the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027. By providing high-quality Instructional Design (ID) training, QUEST achieved its specific objectives: A) It harmonized the skills of the Instructional Designer profession at a European level, B) Facilitated the mobility of Instructional Designers across Europe, C) Significantly increased the capacity to develop engaging eLearning throughout Europe, and D) Qualified professionals with pre-existing knowledge and skills in Instructional Design. This led to a remarkable enhancement in the quality and effectiveness of digital education across the continent.

The main activities of the QUEST project were successfully implemented, including: - Regular online meetings, augmented by two impactful transnational meetings for collaborative work sessions with all partners, in parallel with project management and implementation monitorization actions. - The C1 - EIDe training transferal activity, which effectively supported trainers in implementing the training course. - Comprehensive peer-review stages by all partners, ensuring high-quality production of all results. - Thorough evaluation activities conducted both internally and externally by project partners and activity participants. - The European Instructional Designer specialist's eLearning course pilots, skillfully implemented by UTU (Finland), FIP (Ireland), IADE (Portugal), and ISQe (Portugal). - Successful RPL Pilots by UTU, FIP, IADE, and ISQe. - Regular and engaging web-based sharing and communication activities by all partners. - 5 multiplier events, one of which online and international, with over 350 people assisting. Each of these activities significantly advanced the goals of the QUEST project, contributing to its overall success.

The QUEST project achieved outstanding results, including: 1) the development of the European Instructional Designer Expert' Curriculum, featuring the EIDe Professional Profile and Competence Matrix for an EQF level 6. This comprehensive curriculum outlined Learning Outcomes (Knowledge, Skills, Autonomy + Responsibility) for each Competence Unit, along with admission requirements, unit descriptions, actions, and performance criteria, contact hours, total workload. All aspects were aligned with EQAVET mechanisms, covering CU1 - Foundations for ID 101, CU2 - Learning Methodologies, CU3 - Design Considerations, CU4 - ID Development, CU5 - ID Implementation, CU6 - ID Evaluation, and CU7 - ID Project Management. 2) The creation of the European Instructional Designer expert eLearning course, which included an innovative pedagogical architecture, training methodology, and interactive training materials such as Responsive eLearning screens, Downloadable sheets, Expert Videos, and Interactive diagrams, all supported by an Artificial Intelligence tutor bot (also present on the project website at all times) 3) The establishment of the European Instructional Designer expert's Recognition of Prior Learning Process by two different approaches: the classical RPL approach encompassing the RPL Scheme, RPL Tools (Registration form, Self-Assessment, Portfolio Checklist, Technical interview guide, theoretical examination with multiple-choice questions, practical examination, EIDs Diploma and Competence Unit Certificate), and the RPL final framework; but also the proposal of an alternative approach of Open Badge Certification, including a Competence Matrix, an implementation guide and a Certification Guideline. 4) The development and implementation of a sustainability strategy to support external stakeholders in adopting the QUEST results. This included a comprehensive exploitation strategy with project overview, detailed result descriptions, target group identification, market analysis, general recommendations, specific ITC specifications for digital materials (like SCORM version compatibility with LMS).