Network Building for Digital Learning Innovation in Geriatric Healthcare Technology

<< Background >>The D-LIGHT Network project emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the need for enhanced digital learning solutions in vocational education and training (VET). As traditional classroom-based VET shifted to online platforms, issues like student motivation, disengagement, and dropout rates became apparent. The project aimed to address these challenges by fostering international collaboration among recognized vocational excellence centers, geriatric healthcare sector partners, and digital learning product developers. By pooling resources and expertise, the project sought to create high-quality, transnational solutions applicable across European VET systems. Inspired by strategic initiatives and driven by the goal of resilient VET solutions, the D-LIGHT Network aimed to bridge gaps, promote cooperation, and pave the way for future joint programs in digital education.<< Objectives >>The project successfully established an innovative cluster-based inter-regional co-operation partnership model. This model involved VET schools, employers, and digital learning solution developers collaborating to identify emerging VET skills needs. This approach showed VET providers the possibility of transnational cooperation being able to create and develop high-quality solutions for VET students. Jointly developed digital learning solutions were made available for common use through a documented and validated best practice methodology.Wanting to offer a best practice model for a cooperation across borders the project included methodology guidelines for identifying evolving vocational skills needs in geriatric healthcare across partner countries. It also provided blueprints for specific digital solutions, media choices, and technology activation scripts. Showcase examples of advanced digital learning solutions were produced to address joint relevant VET skills needs.The D-LIGHT Network aimed to inspire other schools in various VET sectors to develop international cluster-based cooperation networks. By emphasizing cross-sector relevance and adopting proactive dissemination strategies, the project maximized its results in EU.<< Implementation >>6 Partnership Events (PE1-PE6) of 3 days for all project partners, with min. 1 PE hosted by each partner.18 online partner status meetings for monthly activity progress monitoring.2 x 5 Regional Multiplier Events (E2-E11) of 1 day per event, for dissemination of project results to min. 3 representatives from min. 5 VET schools per event from the relevant cluster region. 1 Teacher Training Programme (C1) of 2 days for VET teachers. 1 Transnational Multiplier Event (E1) of 1 day for both physically present and online participants.6 designated work periods in the regional clusters.5 project results exploitation facilitation and support webinars (E12-E16) with a scheduled duration of 1 hour per webinar were planned but not initiated due to unforeseen circumstances as mentioned in the section of Multiplier Events.<< Results >>PROJECT RESULTS: Project Result 1 (O1): One Methodology Guidelines Publication re. how to identify transnationally relevant emerging VET Skills needs for potential addressing by joint digital learning solutions development in a regional cluster-based transnational VET co-operation (disseminated to 15 regional VET teachers in 5 regions, published and disseminated for free at project website) Project Result 2 (O2): One Methodology Guidelines Publication re. how to translate (in a regional cluster-based transnational VET cooperation) identified emerging VET skills needs of joint relevance into a joint development basis for advanced digitallearning solutions applicable to all partners (disseminated to 15 regional VET teachers in 5 regions, published anddisseminated for free at project website) Project Result 3 (O3): One Teacher Training Programme of 3 days’ tuition for training VET teachers in conducting transnational joint VET skills needs analysis and identification of joint digital learning solutions basis (using the Results 1 and 2 Methodologies) - disseminated to 20 partner VET teachers, published, and disseminated for free at the project website)Project Result 4 (O4): Best Practices on project website including all the project results. Project Result 5 (O5): Five (limited scope) showcase example stand-alone Digital Learning Elements, eachaddressing a specific case presented on the project website and disseminated to participants at the Transnational Multiplier Event.REPORTING: One final Project Report OUTCOMES: A much-strengthened co-operation structure and experience within and between the partners and their respective regional clusters; Digital upskilling of all involved partner staff; Engagement of additional VET providers from cluster regions for future cooperation, network integration, or separate Erasmus+ initiatives.Finally, the project has generated a wider impact beyond the direct participants by:• Attracting other VET schools, groups/networks of VET schools, regional/national VET system administration/management representatives and EC strategy team representatives to download Project Results and consider outputs and conclusions from the project for full or partial implementation in their own strategic and practice contexts. • Attracting other Health VET schools for dialogue, and possible participation in further transnational skills needs analyses with the D-LIGHT Network partners. • Inspiring sector employment partners from other VET sectors to take on a more active co-operation role with CoVEs for efficient, transnational responses to emerging skills needs and training solutions. • Inspiring and encouraging other CoVEs to interpret their role in an (even) more transational context, and building their regional clusters accordingly.