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BonJour! Project Meeting – big step into the project’s future!

PeterMaz BonJour, news
BonJour! Project Meeting – big step into the project’s future!

The intermediate project meeting of the BonJour! Project, organised by Europäische Bildungsinitiative, took place in Wiener Neustadt, bringing together all project partners for an engaging and productive exchange. The meeting was characterised by a positive working climate, valuable discussions, and exciting presentations, reflecting the significant progress made across all work packages.

Key Topics and Outcomes

The meeting opened with WP1: Administration, where partners received feedback on the intermediate report, discussed financial matters, and reviewed necessary amendments. Additionally, key dates for the final Transnational Partner Meeting (TPM) were confirmed. Updates on the evaluation process were also presented.

A major focus was on WP3, with insightful presentations and discussions on the Handbook and the next steps in the local training course for educators. Partners exchanged views on the competencies of educators, ensuring that the training approach meets high-quality standards.

The development of the low-threshold learning platform (WP4) was another highlight of the meeting. Partners were introduced to the possible learning content formats and technical requirements, followed by in-depth discussions leading to key decisions on content structure and methodology. A crucial aspect was the development of learning spaces, both for individual learning on the platform and group-based onsite training. The topic of content translation and localisation was also addressed, ensuring accessibility and cultural adaptation. For this platform, a specific colour coding system has been developed.

Learning Platform Colour Coding System BonJour! Meeting
The colour coding system of the platform will make it easier for training course participants to navigate in the platform.

A special session focused on training for seniors in Wrocław, where partners explored evaluation methods for assessing seniors’ digital and media competencies. This provided valuable insights into adapting training to meet the specific needs of older learners.

Another essential area of discussion was WP5: Dissemination and Improvement. Strategies were reviewed to enhance visibility, engage stakeholders, and further improve project outcomes.

One of the most exciting aspects was the discussion on recognition frameworks based on Micro-Credentials, which will provide structured validation and certification for learners, ensuring their newly acquired skills are recognised.

Final Reflections

The meeting concluded with a WP1 administration summary, highlighting key takeaways and ensuring that all partners are aligned for the final project phases.

Overall, this meeting was a great success—a combination of valuable exchanges, collaborative spirit, and concrete progress. The presentations on the learning platform sparked enthusiasm, and the extensive discussions on content development and competencies helped shape the next steps. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to developing a high-quality, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for older adults and educators alike.

The partners left motivated and inspired, ready to implement the next phases of the project with clarity and confidence.

Follow-Up of the BonJour! Meeting

This BonJour! Meeting – as an intermediate event of the project – will be followed by the final meeting in November in Madeira.

EBI joins the FIRST Network

Europaeische Bildungsinitiative news
EBI joins the FIRST Network

A Leap Forward for Collaborative Learning

The European Initiative for Education (EIE) has recently announced its membership in the First Network, a groundbreaking educational network developed due to a collaborative EU-Project. This new partnership marks an exciting step forward in promoting innovation, cooperation, and exchange of best practices among educational institutions across Europe.

Webpage FIRST Network
Screenshot of the FIRST Network webpage

Background on the First Network

The First Network (“First International Realisation Support Team Network), established through the joint efforts of five European institutions, aims to revolutionize education by fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and shared learning. By bringing together a wide array of academic institutions, educators, and experts, the network creates a dynamic environment that encourages the development of innovative teaching methodologies and learning experiences.

Founding members of the network and project partners

European Initiative for Education’s Role

As a member of the First Network, the European Initiative for Education will play a crucial role in promoting cross-border educational collaborations, and by doing so, contribute to the overarching goal of improving education standards across the continent. The EIE will leverage its expertise in educational policy, research, and development to identify and address critical challenges facing the sector.

Benefits and Opportunities

Joining the First Network presents numerous benefits and opportunities for the European Initiative for Education and its partners. By tapping into the extensive network of European Adult Education organisations, the EIE can effectively share resources, knowledge, and ideas, leading to a more cohesive educational landscape. Additionally, the partnership will facilitate the exchange of best practices. This enabls educational institutions to learn from one another and adapt successful strategies to their specific contexts.

Moreover, the collaboration will open doors for developing joint projects, research initiatives, and grant applications. That is an issue which can significantly enhance the quality and impact of the work carried out by the EIE and its partners.

Future Prospects

The European Initiative for Education’s membership in the First Network is a testament to the organization’s commitment to driving progress and innovation in education. As the network continues to grow and evolve, it is expected to foster even more meaningful connections and collaborations. Ultimately, the network will contribute to a more robust and inclusive educational landscape across Europe.

The partnership between the European Initiative for Education and the First Network is a promising development that will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of education in Europe. By working together, these organizations can pool their resources and expertise to create a more interconnected and innovative educational environment, benefitting students, educators, and institutions.

FIRST Network members

Here is a list of the currently registered members. You are welcome to join the network. Contact: Agnieszka Dadak (Poland).

Link to the webpage: https://first-network.eu/

SEMIFIT Seminar for Intercultural Trainers

Europaeische Bildungsinitiative Miscellaneous, news, Project, Staff Education
SEMIFIT Seminar for Intercultural Trainers

Stefanie Mayrwöger attended the SEMIFIT Seminar for intercultural trainers, on Project Design under Erasmus+, from 1st to 6th of December 2018 in Almuñécar, Spain. The week was structured in panel discussions, presentations and workshops, which were all designed and held by the participants. During the seminar all participants found themselves in different roles, such as documentarists, speakers, workshop leaders and marketers. Tools and methods were shown, projects presented, and ideas shared. The aim of the seminar was to create an open space for youth trainers, learning designers and educators to talk about difficulties, tips and ways to improve their skills in project design and management of (inter)national projects.

Here is a video from the event (produced by Steffi)

The variety of topics, that were covered and discussed, was extensive. Therefore, workshops took place, in which the group focused on difficulties in international projects, active learning through games, and how to calculate important factors in project management. In several presentations certain project management methods, successfully designed projects, and the work with open source and free licences were showed. Also, panellists talked about the topic of managing projects including groups with different or difficult social backgrounds. All in all, it was a very enriching week with a big amount of useful knowledge and interesting minds.

Here are some impressions from the work and the working environment.

New Project Launched: TEST

PeterMaz news, Project
New Project Launched: TEST

The EBI/EIE is partner in a new ERASMUS+ project where the EBI/EIE has written the application.The project aims to develop and evaluate multimedia based teaching material using the innovative “Analogous Compare and Transfer” Method (acronym ACAT) approach to teach science subjects, namely physics, biology and chemistry. The ACAT method is a methodology concerted on the pattern of thinking of girls enhancing the well-known logical paths boys are using normally and supports the learning of boys as well.

A study from 2017 proofs the acceptance of the pedagogical approach and confirms the usability with an evident preference of female students. In general, the students appreciate the method with higher approval of the female learners. In the same way, the female learners show a stronger agreement to the use of multimedia material, specifically using the described method and to enable the transfer from everyday life images to scientific imagination and clear ideas dealing with the currently discussed problem.

Project Objectives

The objectives are

  • Use of an “image-based teaching system” which favours the scientific learning behaviour of (approx. 70 % of) girls with a good learning success for boys as well
  • Developing multimedia-based and/or interactive examples of best practice (called tools in this application) focusing on physics (for example quantum physics), biology (for example virtual dissections) and chemistry (comprehending chirality utilizing VR-technology).
  • Use a self-evaluation model for students to estimate their increase of competences
  • Evaluation of these examples in several schools (transnational)
  • Development of a transferability guide for teachers
  • Publishing of the created and evaluated material as OERs

The project starts with December 2018 and lasts for two years.

The applicant organisation is the Colegio Internacional Costa Adeje (Spain), partners are Dragonskolan (Sweden), the Europäische Bildungsinitiative (Austria) and the Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (Ireland).

Kathi – our new head of the training department

Europaeische Bildungsinitiative Miscellaneous, news
Kathi – our new head of the training department

Kathrin Zehrfuchs

Kathi Zehrfuch, the new head of the training department

Kathrin just finished her Master study (business) with focus on business administration and controlling at the University of Applied Studies. During her studies, she has been working for the EBI assisting in courses and in the planning, implementation and performing of the “Blended Learning Conference” in Wiener Neustadt in 2014.

In the last three years, she was also working in application writing and she coordinated the scientific publications done by the EBI.

 

 

Stefanie – our new head of the technical department

Europaeische Bildungsinitiative Miscellaneous, news, Project
Stefanie – our new head of the technical department

Stefanie Mayrwöger

We proudly present our new head of the technical department!

Stefanie just finished her Bachelor studies (BSc) in Media Technology with focus on Interactive Media at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. During her studies, she lived in The Hague, The Netherlands for one semester where she studied Photography and Internet Marketing.

In the last two years, she participated in the LeaD in Practice blended-learning project for which she also traveled to Athens, Greece and took part in the STEPS Education Practitioners Seminar in Potsdam, Germany.

Stefanie started her Master studies in Digital Design & Graphic Design in September and will attend the 3rd ASEF Young Leaders Summit on Ethical Leadership in October in Belgium, Brussels.

Stefanie will be responsible for technical production of intellectual outputs and the technical background for the learning platform. She also is engaged in interface development in the frame of EBI’s project involvement.

SemiFit – EBI/EIE is partner!

Europaeische Bildungsinitiative Miscellaneous, news, Project
SemiFit – EBI/EIE is partner!

The EBI is partner in the Youth Project Seminar for intercultural trainers in HRE.  The EBI/EIE is mainly focusing on the 50+ generation in Adult Education. Participating in this project we have the chance to educate our younger trainers to work with international youth groups and younger adults. Two of our trainers, Stefanie Mayrwöger and Kathrin Zehrfuchs, will be in charche to cover this target group.

SemiFit in HRE is an example of Peer and Lifelong Learning where educational practitioners have the chance to share their competencies and experiences and learn new concepts from peers. In SemiFit, every participant is actively involved in the preparation and design of the learning space: content and flow. The project is linked to key European youth policy developments where non-formal educational youth work needs to be better connect.
Additional the project also brings in its expertise: upcoming European Youth convention III in 2020, COE rec on Youth work, European Training Strategy for YW, the development of a European Charta on Youth work, the further development of the European Youth Strategy, but also reference cooperations such as “becoming a part of Europe”, “Youth for Human Rights” all indicate youth issues become more political. Such there is a need to foster strategically the processes of capacity development of EDC/HRE work in the field of youth, as in the recent years barriers in a lot of European countries have become higher.

Stefanie Mayrwöger from the EBI/EIE will participate at the training event organized in Almuñécar, Spain (Málaga area) from 1 to 6 December 2018.