August 2017 – Local dissemination meeting
Deinde organized local dissemination meeting for local community based on the final training held in Floriana (Malta), June 2017. We shared the outcomes of the activity and discussed digital toolkit for adult educators.
June 2017 – Concluding Conference
Concluding conference took place at 20th June 2017 in Malta. Coordinator from Malta presented the outcomes of the project. Participants shared of best practices as regards to digital literacy and basic skills adult learning.
June 2017 – final training in Malta
Final training meeting took place in Malta (June 12-16, 2017). The event was organized by Breaking barriers project coordinator – Directorate for Lifelong Learning. Final training was focused on using digital tools in adult learning process. During the event partner’s countries shared their experiences and good practices and used digital media toolkit.
May 2017 – Local dissemination meeting
Deinde organized local dissemination meeting for local community based on the in-service training held in Rome (Italy), February 2017. We shared the outcomes of the activity and discussed digital toolkit for adult educators focusing on the use of storytelling and/or innovative digital media.
March 2017 – Peer Learning Activity in Malta
Secend within the project peer learning activity took place in Malta (20-24 march 2017). The event was organized by Breaking barriers project coordinator – Directorate for Lifelong Learning. During the event digital media toolkit was presented by Malta, Netherlands and Italy to the other participating countries. It was presented how digital media toolkit works and how to implement it amongst adult educators and adult learners.
February 2017 – in-service training in digital media in Rome (Italy)
In-service training event took place in Rome, Italy (February 20-24, 2017). The event was organized by Associazione Agenzia Intercultura e Mobilità and focused on a digital toolkit for adult educators focusing on the use of storytelling and/or innovative digital media.
December 2016 – Local dissemination meeting
Deinde organized local dissemination meeting for local community based on the job-shadowing activity held in UK, November 2016. We shared the outcomes of the activity and discussed digital as well as cultural resources for literacy teaching and learning.
November 2016 – job shadowing in London (UK)
Job shadowing event took place in London, UK (November 14-18, 2016). The event was organized by the UCL Institute of Education and focused on:
a) Observation of functional English class in Barking and Dagenham College London
b) Observation of GCSE Mathematics class in Barking and Dagenham College London
c) Exploring the use of digital tools and resources (e.g. google classroom, kahoot) for teaching and learning in Barking and Dagenham College London.
September – October 2016 – ten week course
Deinde organized course “USEFUL COMPETENCES FOR THE ILLITERATE ADULTS”.
Course Program:
- Communication
- Writing and reading comprehension
- Computer and internet skill
Objectives and aims:
- aid semi-literate adult learners to improve their day to day life and facilitate practical daily activities through active participation in 10-week training course program
- encourage the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes in basic functional skills, i.e. oral, literacy and Internet digital skills, based on the needs and problems of the adult learners
- enable the learners to actively participate in their personal development and that of their community
- develop positive attitudes towards learning and work
- raise public awareness as for adult functional literacy issues
- improve standards and quality in adult literacy teaching and learning.
June 2016 – Local dissemination meeting
Deinde organized local dissemination meeting for local community based on the joint staff training held in UK, March 2016. We shared the outcomes of the training and discussed digital as well as cultural resources for literacy teaching and learning.
June 2016 – Transnational project meeting in Macedonia
Transnational project meeting took place in Tetovo, Ma (April 16-17, 2015). The meeting was hosted by ADAE – Association Alliance for Development of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning (www.srov.mk). More information in the section: Działania/Activities.
April, May, June 2016 – Partner working on Digital Toolkit
During these months and further on, partners are working on the Digital Toolkit for adult educators focusing on the use of digital resources to teach literacy to adult learners – one of the main outcomes of Breaking Barriers Project.
March 2016 – Joint staff training in UK
Short-term joint staff training event took place in London, UK (March 7-11, 2015). The event was organized by the UCL Institute of Education and focused on adult literacy pedagogies and learning contexts as well as using digital and cultural resources for literacy teaching and learning.
February 2016 – Interim Report
Partners are working on the Interim Report of the partnership to be submitted to Maltese National Agency.
December 2015 – Local dissemination meeting
Deinde organized Local dissemination meeting for local community summarizing the results of Transnational partner meeting held in Netherlands April 2015 and Joint staff training held in Norway September 2015.
December 2015 – Peer Learning Activity
Peet Learning Activity took place in Malta, 30/11 – 04/12/2015. The event was organized by Breaking barriers project coordinator – Directorate for Lifelong Learning with the presence of representatives from partner organizations from Italy, Netherlands, UK, Poland, Cyprus and Macedonia, as well as local participants from Malta (adult educators, teachers, trainers, researchers).
November 2015 – Preparing to Peer Learning Activity
Partner organisations are preparing for the first PEER LEARNING ACTIVITY (PLA) within Breaking Barriers project which will be held in Valetta, Malta from 30/11 till 04/12/2015. PLA aims at exchanging knowledge and experience on the subject of Adult Lietracy and Digital Media, including participation of international guest speakers and trainers. We invite all adult educators, digital media professionals and students to register and take part in this event. More information is available in the PLA Leaflet and via email: lifelonglearning@gov.mt
September 25th, 2015 – Local dissemination training
Deinde organized first Local dissemination training for local community on the subject of adult education and adult literacy, based on the short-term joint staff training held in Cyprus.
September 2015 – Joint staff training in Norway
Short-term joint staff training event took place in Oslo, Norway (Sept 7-11, 2015).
May 2015 – Joint staff training in Cyprus
Short-term joint staff training event took place in Larnaca, Cyprus (May 27-31, 2015). More information in the section: Działania/Activities. Photos available in the section: Galeria/Gallery.
April 2015 – Transnational project meeting in the Netherlands
Transnational project meeting took place in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands (April 16-17, 2015). More information in the section: Działania/Activities. Photos and video available in the section: Galeria/Gallery.
January/February 2015 – Signing agreements
Partners sign the agreements with the coordinating organisation.
December 2014 – Initial workshop in Malta
Initial Workshop took place in Floriana, Malta (December 11, 2014). More information in the section: Działania/Activities.
September 2014 – Beginnig of project implementation
8 partners from different EU countries start the implementation of Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership Project “Breaking Barriers – Embracing Literacy through Digital Media” under the coordination of the Directorate for Lifelong Learning from Malta.
About project:
“Breaking Barriers – Embracing Literacy through Digital Media” (BB project) is a Strategic Partnership project implemented by Deinde Ltd within the Erasmus + Programme.
Implementation period: 01-09-2014 – 31-08-2017
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This website reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
https://ec.europa.eu/epale/en/node/11121 – Breaking Barriers Project on EPALE (ePlatform for Adult Learning in Europe)
https://www.facebook.com/EPALE.MT/?fref=ts – Breaking Barriers Project on Facebook (Adult Learning in Malta)
https://www.facebook.com/edukazzjonimalta/videos/1676727852606211/?fref=nf – Film promoting Breaking Barriers project
http://erasmusplus.org.pl/ – Information about Erasmus+ Programme
http://www.frse.org.pl/ – Polish National Agency
Partners:
Directorate for Lifelong Learning (Floriana, Malta) – www.lifelonglearning.gov.mt
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (London, England, UK) – http://www.ioe.ac.uk
Friesland College (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands) – www.frieslandcollege.nl
Vox, Nasjonalt fagorgan for kompetansepolitikk (Oslo, Norway) – www.vox.no
SYNDESMOS EKPEDEFSIS ENILIKON KYPROU (Nicosia, Cyprus) – www.euroculture.com.cy
Deinde Sp. z o.o. (Lublin, Poland) – www.deinde.pl
AIM Agenzia Intercultura e Mobilità – AIM Agency for Interculture and Mobility (Roma, Italy) – www.associazioneaim.it
ADAE – Association Alliance for Development of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning (Tetovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) – www.srov.mk
Within Erasmus + Strategic Partnership project, partners implement international activities (transnational partner meetings, joint staff training events, study visits etc.) and local activities depending on each partner possibilities and joint arrangements made by all partners.
LAUNCHING WORKSHOP
Initial Workshop took place in Floriana, Malta (11/12/2014) and was hosted by the project coordinator from Malta – Directorate for Lifelong Learning. Key objectives and activities:
– introduction to the project and ice-breaking,
– workshops on defining the objectives and mission of the project,
– discussion on activities and their implementation throughout the 3 years of cooperation.
TRANSNATIONAL PROJECT MEETINGS
First partner meeting took place in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands (16-17/04/2015) and was hosted by Dutch partner – Friesland College. Key objectives and activities:
– focus on defining the target of the project and next steps to be undertaken (timetabe of activities),
– planning the research on the impact of using digital media in teaching basic skills,
– presenting the program of the adult education staff training event in Cyprus, May 2015,
– participation in the Conference on low literacy in the province of Friesland held in Leuuwarden.
Second partner meeting took place in Tetovo, Macedonia (06-07/06/2016) and was hosted by Macedonian partner – Association Alliance for Development of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning. Key objectives and activities:
– update on project implementation and activities,
– working on project outputs – Digital Toolkit and Course on adult literacy,
– presenting the Macedonian context – adult education, innovation in education, visits to providers of non-formal education verified by the Center for Adult Educartion in Macedonia.
PEER LEARNING ACTIVITIES (PLA)
First PLA took place in Valetta, Malta (30/11 – 04/12/2015) and was hosted by the project coordinator – Directorate for Lifelong Learning. Key objectives and activities:
– focus on the research on adult literacy and digital media carried out by project partners,
– exisiting digital media tools for teaching literacy,
– educator and learner needs – sharing experience (workshop session),
– designing a toolkit for adult educators – sharing ideas (workshop session).
Participants of the PLA: project partners from UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Cyprus, Poland and Macedonia, as well as local participants (adult educators, teachers, trainers, lecturers and researchers from Malta).
JOINT STAFF TRAINING EVENTS
- Job shadowing for adult educators and coordinators in basic literacy courses in the United Kingdom.
- In-service courses for adult educators in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Italy (short-term joint staff training events)
TRAINING IN CYPRUS
In-service training for adult coordinators took place in Larnaca, Cyprus (27-31/05/2015) and was hosted by SYNDESMOS EKPEDEFSIS ENILIKON KYPROU.
The training was conducted by Mr Klitos Symeonides – school Inspector and in charge of the Adult Education Centres of the Ministry of Education and Culture – responsible for adult education at the Ministry of Education and Culture and Grundtvig National Agency; the president of the Cyprus Adult Eduction Association; for 5 years member of the Executive board of the European Association for Adult Education.
Five participants from five different countries ook part in the event: Poland, Malta, the Netherlands, Italy and Macedonia. Moreover, quests from Cyprus (University of Cyprus – Literacy Department and The Adult Education Centres of the Ministry of Education and Culture) were also invited to hold short presentations and take part in the training.
The training encompassed such subjects as:
– Introduction to the course (adult education, literacy)
– Principles of adult learning and teaching
– The adult learner
– Development of the training program
– Group dynamics
– Intercultural learning and strategies to recruit and understand participants and their communities
– Learning and teaching methodologies
– Literas strategies and methodologies
– Literacy and disabilities
– The learning environment
At the end of the training each participants conducted 20 minutes microteaching module on a chosen subject. Moreover, study visits in Larnaca region as well as in Nicosia were also organized.
TRAINING IN LONDON
In-service training for adult educators took place in London, UK (7-11/03/2015) and was hosted by UCL Institute of Education.
Nine participants from six different partner countries took part in the event: Poland, Malta, the Netherlands, Italy, Macedonia and Cyprus. Moreover, guests from London and UK in general were also invited as experts and trainers in adult literacy, reading skill, using digital tools and e-learning in adult education and literacy.
The training encompassed such subjects as:
– Learning contexts and pedagogical approaches for adult literacy in partner countries
– Exploring the use of digital resources for literacy teaching and learning (e-learning tools)
– Supporting learning outside the classroom – identifying good practice in literacy teaching: reading circles, using cultural resources to support learning.
One of the highlights of the training included a visit to British Museum to demonstrate the practice of learning literacy on-site. This allowed participants to make use of their creative aspects when it comes to learning literacy and numeracy. More information:
3. Study Visit for adult educators in Norway
Study visit for adult educators took place in Oslo, Norway (07-11/09/2015) and was hosted by VOX Nasjonalt fagorgan for kompetansepolitikk. Key subjects:
– Adult education in Norway and Norwegian Framework for Basic Skills for Adults,
– Basic competences in working life,
– Education and integration of immigrants,
– Using ICT and Open Education Resources in Adult Education and Literacy.
THEMATIC ACTIVITIES (intellectual outputs – results)
- Research on the impact of using digital media in teaching basic skills to adults and to combine digital media to previously established techniques in basic adult literacy.
- Designing of a digital toolkit to be utilised in basic literacy courses for adult learners.
- Creation of a 10-week course consisting of a 2/3 hour weekly for adult learners – enhancing everyday literacy through storytelling.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
- Project website: Deinde website, EPALE, Breaking Barriers on Facebook
- Project leaflets: Project Official Leaflet, Leaflet 2
- Newspaper articles: Press note in Polish
- Radio/video clips and TV spots: Film promoting the project
- Concluding conference
Background
Literacy is a key competence that ensures social cohesion and personal fulfillment. Adults with difficulties in understanding the written word in both print and digital forms face barriers to actively participate in society. Furthermore people struggling with reading and writing difficulties may hide their needs and this makes identifying learning needs more challenging.
Adult educators also face new challenges and opportunities to adapt to the digital environment and to use digital-supported teaching methods (digital pedagogies) for basic skills teaching. The emergence of web tools offers new possibilities to explore innovative teaching methods.
The lack in basic literacy skills is highlighted in the international survey of adults skills conducted by the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competences (PIAAC). The Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (UNESCO, 2012) report identifies a key conceptual problem related to the lack of a common global understanding of how to approach literacy. This suggests the significant need for cross-border collaboration and innovation in the development of literacy programmes for adults and teaching tools for educators.
Aims and Objectives
The project aims to address challenges and needs in adult literacy and to 'break barriers’ faced by both learners and educators.
How can digital tools meet the needs of low-skilled adult learners?
Breaking Barriers: Embracing Literacy through Digital Media tackles this question, in a bid to address the needs of adult educators and underserved adult learners. This will be done through the strategic collaboration of 8 European partners specialised in adult learning, education and digital media. The project aims to explore and show how adult educators can engage and motivate adult learners by using digital tools and storytelling.
The four key project objectives are:
- Researching and sharing cross-border best practices to understand approaches in tackling basic literacy for adults through digital innovation;
- Training of adult educators who specialise in the teaching of basic literacy skills;
- Development of customised, quality literacy courses (Levels 1 and 2) for adults who face literacy challenges and marginalisation;
- Creation of an innovative toolkit for adult educators focusing on the use digital media and interactive story-telling to teach basic skills.
