Breathe the future – hybrid education in VET

<< Background >>The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. While schools faced a great deal of uncertainty, new learning models emerged to optimize learning experiences. Hybrid learning was and still is the way to think ahead, combining both traditional, physical space and real community with technology and virtual experiences. According to the Open Public Consultation on the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027, during the crisis, not only the use of distance and online learning significantly increased (66.6% in the sample ‘All countries’ and 87.6% in ‘Without RO’) but their use is also likely to increase in the future. More than 90% of respondents agreed that the crisis and the switch to distance and online teaching and learning will have a long-term impact on education. Despite this prognosis, the challenges for VET created by the pandemic were unprecedented as this sector found it especially difficult to ensure continuity of its teaching and learning practices. The hVET project offers a set of tools designed to help VET teachers effectively navigate hybrid learning, enhancing student participation, collaboration, and motivation while inspiring both educators and learners despite potentialeducational disruptions.<< Objectives >>At the core of the hVET project was a collaborative and innovative approach that adapts a hybrid teaching model—blending physical and virtual learning—specifically for the VET sector. The project's main objective was to equip VET schools for an evolving educational landscape, ensuring readiness for challenges such as pandemics, natural disasters, and other disruptions. This was achieved by developing, testing, and implementing a flexible hybrid teaching model with tailored tools, resources, and materials for VET teachers, trainers, practitioners, and students. The project focus: -create, test and implement a methodology for hybrid teaching in VET schools -support effective transition of VET systems to the digital age through provision of innovative teaching and learning solutions -increase inclusion and accessibility in hybrid setting, paying special attention to individuals from disadvantaged groups -encourage innovation, creativity in VET-development of professional skills for modern VET teachers -boosting students’ engagement in online learning, development of self-motivation in learning -strengthen cooperation between VET schools and stakeholders across project countries in order to stir innovation<< Implementation >>The activities include:Management:- daily project & budget management- signing contracts with the project partners- creating Management and Financial Plan, Quality and Evaluation Plan, Promotion and Dissemination Plan- creating Steering Committee, Internal Quality Board & the project team- developing and controlling project schedule- 5 TPMs- 26 online meetings- regular communication via emails- quality assurance activities- regular reporting (management: progress & financial, quality and promotion) – 5 reporting periods- reporting to the NA.Outcomes:- design, development, testing & implementation of the project results (PR1-PR5) with active involvement of end-users (VET schools, specialists, students)- standarization of PR3 and PR4Promotion:- design of the project logo and visual identity- design and management of the website & social media- network of 47 VET schools participating in the project activities- promotional campaigns (social media campaigns, webinar, emailing, promotion through local and international events)- 7 Multiplier Events, 404 participants- 6 issues of the hVET booklet- Exploitation strategy- networkingTraining activity:- C1 training “Ready to teach: hybrid learning classroom”<< Results >>PR1/ Methodology of hybrid teaching in VET schools - a new paradigm for teaching and learning in VET schools, presenting a hybrid education model where the best features of online and in-person education are optimized to provide the best teaching and learning experiences for VET educators and learners.PR2/ Hybrid teaching – certification course for VET teachers - online platform, designed for VET teachers, tutors, trainers, and educators, provides the hVET Certification Course (15 training modules), which aims to enhance VET educators’ ability to deliver hybrid education, promoting flexible teaching approaches and increasing student participation.PR3/ The Hybrid Teacher Competence (HTC) Questionnaire - psychometric tool designed to assess the 8 key competencies of vocational education teachers delivering hybrid education.Provides automatic feedback report.PR4/ The Hybrid Learner Qualities Test (HLQ) - psychometric tool designed to diagnose and measure the preferred learning style and the key qualities of VET learners essential for success in hybrid education. Provides automatic feedback report.PR5/ Hybrid mystery educational game - Combines interactive real-world engagement with digital gameplay, moderated by the teacher