SVEA

SVEA - Promoting web 2.0 uptake for organisational and personnel development in VET and adult training was selected in 2008, and funded from 1 January 2010 until 31 December 2011 by the European Commission, under the Lifelong Learning Programme - Leonardo Da Vinci - Multilateral projects for the Development of Innovation. (VET stands for Vocational Education and Training.)

Its web site is at http://www.svea-project.eu

Background

SVEA addresses the collaboration and web 2.0 skills of teachers and trainers in both VET and adult training institutions, with a special focus on personnel and organizational development. Providing these institutions with the means for target oriented communication and knowledge exchange, will stimulate active co-development of organizational processes and tools, and will at the same time enable teachers and trainers to use those tools to empower learner-centered and self paced teaching.

Results

SVEA's goal is to cultivate new work processes and communication strategies through the use of net-based technology. Upgrading e-skills in VET and adult training institutions will foster innovation and change in personnel and organizational management.

Impact

• More efficient organizational processes
• Improved collaboration through web 2.0 tools
• A resulting co-development climate allowing for greater competitiveness and visibility in the education market.

Partners

• MFG Baden-Württemberg mbH - Germany
• CSP - ICT Innovation - Italy
• EuroPACE ivzw - Belgium
• FUNDECYT - Spain
• Coleg Sir Gâr - UK

Outputs

Regional needs analysis

In the period between March and June 2010 the SVEA consortium conducted a regional needs analysis on the needs, trends and barriers on implementing web 2.0 in VET and adult training.

The overall regional analysis summarising all the different regional reports and with a more general perspective can be found at http://www.svea-project.eu/fileadmin/_svea/downloads/SVEA_Regional_Needs_Analysis_01.pdf

There are also analyses for the partners' countries/regions, linked from the page http://www.svea-project.eu/4175.html

In view of other projects under way in Wales, such as Gwella, the report on Wales may be of particular interest - see http://www.svea-project.eu/fileadmin/_svea/downloads/100714_Wales_Regional_Needs_Analysis_Report.pdf

SVEA platform

In order to foster the use of web 2.0 tools for organisational and personnel development in VET and adult training, the SVEA consortium developed a platform which aims to bring together, in a single environment, the benefits offered by different web 2.0 tools and social platforms. The SVEA platform offers different functionalities (such as e.g. blog, calendar, shout box, case tracker, bookmarks,...) which are designed to support the learners in the overall management of their learning activities that can range from face-to-face to fully online.

The SVEA platform was launched March 2011. More information can be found on the SVEA website, where the platform can also be tested and downloaded.

Training

The SVEA consortium is in the process of developing a range of training modules covering the use of popular web 2.0 and social networking applications in VET and adult training. The modules are designed for online delivery and are suitable for distance learning or blended learning programmes of study, as well as for use as stand-alone learning opportunities. In total ten training modules (on topics such as Online Learning, Facebook, Blogging, Video Sharing, Wikis for Teachers, etc.) were made which are freely available for download at the website .

Next Generation Learning Conference

The Next Generation Learning Conference took place 23 November 2011 in Brussels, Belgium and offered a unique chance to discuss the new opportunities arising from the use of social media in the field of vocational and adult training. International experts and experience practitioners will guide participants through the benefits deriving from the integration of web 2.0 tools in the delivery of vocational and adult training courses and in the optimization of organizational processes in training institutions.

Keynote speakers included Godelieve Van den Brande (European Commission DG Education and Culture), Gráinne Conole (Professor of Learning Innovation at the University of Leicester, UK) and Helen Keegan (Senior Lecturer - Interactive Media and Social Technologies Programme Leader, University of Salford, UK).

Presentations and a full conference report can be found at the project website.

SVEA Web 2.0 Guidelines - How to Integrate Social Media in your Training Institution and Practice The guidelines offer some tips on how to implement social media in the management process of a training institution, as well as an orientation for trainers who want to use such tools in their courses.

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