Four new EU projects of the SVEB launched in September and December 2024. They are concerned with micro-credentials, emerging technologies, digital transformation and place-based education.
International networking and collaboration plays an important role for the SVEB. Cooperation projects offer the opportunity to work on current issues together with partners from different European countries. This involves conducting analyses, developing concepts and creating materials for use in continuing education. Thanks to the support of Movetia, the SVEB will be able to work on four new projects starting at the end of 2024:
BlockED: Knowledge about micro-credentials for trainers
The need for short learning units, especially for low-skilled workers, calls for the use of micro-credentials. The BlockED project aims to address this: the aim of BlockED is to train educators to implement micro-credentials in short, digital learning units. As a basis for this – and to ensure that micro-credentials are credible and transparent – a conceptualisation of micro-credentials is also being developed.
The project aims to promote the quality of short learning units with micro-credentials by providing guidance to trainers and by providing the necessary conceptual and technological tools. The SVEB plans to participate in the development of a guide for designing e-learning courses with micro-credentials and a framework for the validation of micro-credentials. It is also considering piloting the courses for trainers in Switzerland.
ETHLAE: digital technologies for promoting basic skills
The ETHLAE project aims to identify, evaluate and process the potential changes for the life, work and learning of adults through emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, AR/VR and robotics for adult education and the promotion of basic skills. This is particularly important given that the effects of these technologies on vulnerable target groups have not yet been sufficiently investigated. There are gaps in pedagogical approaches and in implementation.
In the project, existing approaches and experiences are analysed and evaluated for their suitability for adult education/basic skills development, adapted and tested. An initial fundamental report records the existing resources and materials and bundles them into a common methodological framework. Based on this, a toolbox is created that contains both knowledge modules and tools for practitioners. Collaborative learning scenarios will be developed and included in the toolbox. The latter will be tested and evaluated by the actors (providers, trainers) in the test and pilot phase.
DIGITALLI: Help with digital transformation
The DIGITALLI project aims to support institutions of further education in their digital transformation. The focus is on the individual. Three results are planned: (a) the development of a toolkit for implementing digital transformation strategies in continuing education institutions (b) the provision of a digital expert system that simulates a human consultant to support continuing education organisations in their digital transformation (c) a continuing education programme for trainers based on European competence models in the area of digital competences.
The aim is to provide sustainable support to Swiss CVET providers so that they can respond flexibly to the needs of participants and the labour market. This should also promote quality development in CVET in the context of digitalisation.
PLASE: Place-based education as an innovative tool
The PLASE project aims to research, promote and encourage the integration and use of place-based education (PBE) by educators and training providers. In particular, in areas where interest in and participation rates in adult education are below the national average. The PBE approach links learning closely with the local environment, community and culture. Learners should learn in their living environment and in the community around them.
The project addresses trainers and education providers, as well as organisations involved in adult education, and encourages them to use the PBE approach as an innovative tool that is able to motivate learners and also promote cooperation between the education sector, local communities and the labour market. Thanks to the collection of information, best practices and the exchange of experiences between the consortium partners, the project will create a toolkit for testing and implementing the PBE approach in different countries. The results will include a guide, teaching materials, a training course for trainers, guidelines for implementation in different territorial contexts, and information and communication materials.