DigiPath - Digital Education Readiness for VET Teachers through Tool Assisted Learning Pathways

<< Background >>The project idea was driven by the rapid increase in digitalisation across most sectors, greatly affecting the transformation of professions and associated (future) skills. This change necessitates a shift in training contents and methods, particularly for teachers in the VET sector who are at the forefront of these developments, as the effects of increasing digitalisation are twofold for many VET teachers: They must teach new digital subject content effectively but also apply knowledge, skills and competences to establish successful digital learning environments in schools.The COVID-19 crisis has intensified the visibility of this need and highlighted some of the challenges VET teachers are facing. Many institutions did not have the equipment or infrastructure to provide online teaching and teachers were often not sufficiently prepared. Despite various national and international initiatives, there remains a great need to support VET teachers in developing their digital skills.While the shift towards digital education has been part of general school development policies, European/national initiatives and funding for some years now, there is room for improving digital education.<< Objectives >>DigiPath fulfilled the following objectives:1.The main aim was to enhance the Digital Education Readiness (DER) of VET teachers by developing a blended learning course for learners with varied levels of DER. 2.The project team developed modular Adaptive Curricula to equip VET teachers with digital competences and skills, and familiarise them with digital educational tools.3.The Adaptive Curricula improved VET teachers’ attitudes towards digital teaching environments and promote their willingness to engage with digital technologies.4.The project facilitated easy access to digital learning by providing multi-layered entry points for learners with different levels of DER and demonstrated the practicality of digital learning technologies.5.DigiPath demonstrated lightweight educational offers that can be seamlessly integrated into the daily routine of VET teachers, considering their specific work setting.6.Recognizing the multiplicities of different sectors and regional or national contexts, the project ensured the transferability and applicability of its outputs to various contexts. This included developing an effective transfer concept in the form of detailed guidelines.<< Implementation >>-Project Management: administration and coordination of all project activities, incl. planning and organising virtual meetings, risk management, monitoring, communication, QA and support to partners for all project-related matters.-Development of Project Results: Mapping of relevant content areas to be included in Adaptive Curricula, Development of Adaptive Curricula, i.e. development of blended learning workshop for VET teachers, Development of a Moodle Learning Platform in English, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Lithuanian, Trialling the Adaptive Curricula, i.e. implementing the DigiPath workshops in Germany, Spain, Portugal and Lithuania, Development of the Transfer Concept in all project languages-Project Meetings: virtual Kick-Off Meeting and three Transnational Project Meetings carried out in Genoa (IT), Valencia (ES) and Dresden (DE)-One Learning, Teaching and Training Activity: 10 project staff and 7 VET teachers attended training in Valencia (ES) to learn how to implement a DigiPath Workshop at their institutions-Total of 5 Multiplier Events were carried out: 4 local MEs in Dresden (DE), Valencia (ES), Porto (PT) and Kaunas (LT) and one final virtual event<< Results >>The concrete results and outputs of DigiPath include:1.Adaptive Curricula: The main results of the project are the Adaptive Curricula for three different learner levels. These curricula are designed to meet the specific needs and concerns of VET teachers and institutions.2.Blended Learning Course: The developed course (i.e. DigiPath Workshop Series), is integrated on the LMS Moodle and supports various learning strategies. It allows learners with varying educational and occupational biographies to access material from multiple entry points.3.Transfer Concept: The project provides guidelines and selected learning materials to assist VET institutions in adapting the curricula to their own needs to implement a localised version.4.Introduction to Digital Tools: Course participants were introduced to various digital tools through small work assignments, giving them the opportunity to create practical and immediately usable teaching materials during the training. This learning-by-doing approach hones practical skills and improves the attitude towards digital teaching materials.Increased DER: Course participants gained confidence in testing digital tools and implementing them in their teaching.