CONTEXT
As declared by OECD, it is more and more important the learning systems could provide opportunities to acquire skills that are in demand in the labour market. But this is challenging in the context of constantly changing skill needs.
At European level, EC has detected that:
– many in Europe cannot find a job because they do not have the right skills or they are working in jobs that do not match their talents. Indeed, 30% of higher education graduates are working in jobs which do not need a university qualification.
– at the same time, 40% of employers cannot find people with the right skills to fill their vacancies, and too few people have the preparation, mindsets and competences to set up their own businesses or look for new opportunities.
REASON FOR THE PROJECT
ECHOO PLAY project would like to develop, test, adapt and implement a brand-new methodology that could support educators to direct learners to careers and foster their guidance roles.
The project is based on the introduction of strong innovation, creative and disruptive approaches and methodologies in the Vocational Education system thanks to the intensive use of gamification elements via an educational play with LEGO® bricks and a board-game in order to create a cutting-edge novel system aimed at a more effective career identification and to empower the occupational orientation.
It is about the development of some innovative outputs ready to be used by teachers, trainers, VET providers, occupational staff, employment centres, educational system etc.
The double-route to follow in the project is:
– Transfer innovative and disruptive methodologies/approaches ready to be implemented in VET classes and courses but also in other contexts (VET, University, adult learners, employment centres, students, Youth, teachers, enterprises, formal education system etc.)
– Recognise and validate the knowledge within partner staff thanks to the ECVET system and a Memorandum of Understanding to create a “European Career and Occupational Orientation PLAY Facilitator and Trainer” profile.
SCIENCE BEHIND THE NEW METHODOLOGY
The new methodology is based on the success of the worldwide famous LEGO® Serious Play®, even if adapted to a completely different goal and context. LEGO® Serious Play® is a creative process method for group discussion and knowledge sharing, based on scientific research on the added value of playing in problem-solving settings methodology. The method was created and it is used for business purposes and to create, innovate products and services in an entrepreneurial context.
The power of the gamification: the games are motivating due to their impact on the cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of the player. There are several positive effects in the use of the gamification, e.g. increasing motivation and interest in the learning process.
The partners, thanks to the skills and expertise of its staff, are going to enrich the methodology also with Creative Problem Solving methodology, pedagogical aspects, psychological and educators point of views and coaching/mentoring approaches.
ECHOO PLAY partners have to adapt the methodology, on the basis of the results of evidence-gathering research, to national and local contexts that are continuously changing under the pressure of skills anticipation policies.
IMPACT ENVISAGED
The project is based on the introduction of strong innovation, creative and disruptive approaches and methodologies in the Vocational Education system thanks to the intensive use of gamification elements via an educational play with LEGO® bricks and a board-game in order to create a cutting-edge novel system aimed at a more effective career identification and to empower the occupational orientation.
It is about the development of some innovative outputs ready to be used by teachers, trainers, VET providers, occupational staff, employment centres, educational system etc.
PARTNERS and STAKEHOLDERS
IMPACT ENVISAGED
The partnership will bring together partners coming from several countries and their stakeholders, both academic and private, with the synergic power to reach a very large and diverse audience.
Iceland
Miðstöð símenntunar á Suðurnesjum
Miðstöð símenntunar á Suðurnesjum (MSS) is a self-owned educational institution operated in the southwest of Iceland.
It was founded in 1997 by the local communities, the labor unions, the Sudurnes Comprehensive College, key companies and the National Workers/Educational Association in Iceland. Today there are 19 staff members, around 2.000 students and around 600 immigrants that studies at the Center.
The main objective of MSS is to promote and assist in adult education in the community, with special attention to the increase of continuing education, increased personal skills and qualifications, as well as promoting general well being of the population.
The institution cooperates with schools at university level, private schools, specialized schools and individual instructors.
The organization provides diverse courses, vocational training, study and career guidance and recognition of both non-formal and informal learning.
France
KELJE PRODUCTION
Kelje Production has been applying its expertise to the development of fun and educational training solutions since 2006.
Our goal is to facilitate the learning process based on a game play approach.
Our activity is considered as pedagogical engineering.
The materials developed are personalised tools studied to respond precisely to the client’s demand for training and/or awareness-raising.
The tools developed are tailored to respond precisely to the client’s demands for training and/or awareness-raising.
Our games are available in many different forms (board games, computer interfaces, audio and video support, etc.) and are used by a large variety of people : professionals, employees, trainees and young people.
Our educational tools are therefore designed to :
– improve potential;
– analyse personal behaviour in real life situations;
– discover and/or learn new techniques.
Working with us guarantees a personalised, dynamic and efficient support!
‘Learning through play…learning in a different way’
Italy
EURO-NET
EURO-NET is a non-profit organization active in European programs and international level partnerships.
It provides to children, youth and adults:
– information center and project development;
– organization of training courses, cultural, artistic or sports exchanges and activities; sector studies and research;
– counseling, crisis support and prevention;
– e-learning, networking and partnerships;
– publications, newspapers and websites.
EURO-NET is member or associated member of 57 international networks among which 5 are EU networks: EUROPE DIRECT, EUROGUIDANCE, EURODESK, SOLVIT and EBN-EUROPEAN BUSINESS & INNOVATION CENTRE NETWORK.
It has realized about 500 European projects.
Italy
STUDIODOMINO
Studiodomino srl was founded in 2005 from the experience of a group of professionals who have been working for years in the Information Technology sector.
It proposes itself as a company qualified in consulting, training, design and implementation of IT projects related to the technological infrastructure and the integration of systems and technologies.
Studiodomino is an accredited Training Organization of the Basilicata Region for higher and continuous training and strongly believes in the growth function that training can play for individuals and the community, as well as for the improvement of the professionalism of companies and individuals.
Our mission is to provide companies and public administrations with consultancy, training, services and integrated solutions for the management of infrastructure and IT contents.
Finland
UTU
The University of Turku (UTU) is a multidisciplinary scientific university.
Expertise of eight faculties ranges from humanities to natural sciences and business.
The University of Turku is one of the leading research universities in Finland offering research and study opportunities. UTU has 20.000 students, including 2.000 international students from over 100 different countries, and approximately 3.000 graduates each year. In strategy for 2021-2030, UTU positioned itself as an Entrepreneurial University fostering entrepreneurship based on a three-pillared concept: People to develop entrepreneurial competencies at the heart of the University’s entrepreneurial education, Collaboration with businesses as UTU teams up with companies in interdisciplinary research projects or collaboration platforms.
Outputs to create new businesses by supporting start-ups and spin-offs, mainly through its unit for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Transnational Education.
OUTCOMES/ OUTPUTS
THE PROJECT PARTNERSHIP WILL:
– Create an EVIDENCE-GATHERING GUIDE by exploring and detecting the needs for better employability to be used then in the building of tailored approaches of educational play and gamification.
– Provide a TOOLKIT and METHODOLOGY GUIDE about LEGO® bricks for CAREER Identification as an effective approach to FACILITATE and UNLOCK the “open mind” trainers’ skills useful to identify and select a career pathway for each learner.
– Design and deliver a brand-new BOARD GAME for OCCUPATIONAL ORIENTATION tailored on the learners’ adaptation in accordance with the market and employment real needs.
– Validate the methodology thanks to a RESEARCH PAPER about the methodological and pedagogical approach used during the project implementation.
– Built-up a NETWORK OF EXPERTS and creating a brand-new PROFESSIONAL PROFILE for project partners’ staff as “European Career and Orientation PLAY Facilitator and Trainer” recognised under the ECVET and EUROPASS systems.
– Launch a WEBSITE integrated with Blog and Social Networks containing a DATABASE OF MATERIALS TRANSLATED in different languages to promote and encourage extensive exploitation and dissemination.
– Arrange a series of MULTIPLIER EVENTS involving a large number of stakeholders to foster exploitation and dissemination of PROJECT Intellectual Outputs.