| Getting Connected: Grundtvig 2 Partnership engages Older Learners | | Print | |
| BBrady | 13.06.2008 | Projects - Articles | ||||
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European Digital Older Learners (EDOL) is a Grundtvig 2 Learning Partnership involving eight countries. It was designed to engage older people in using Information Technology to enable them to explore their own histories and localities and to share this rich experience with European partners while acquiring ITC skills. Visit the website at www.edolproject.com
Getting Connected: Grundtvig 2 Learning Partnership engages Older Learners In November 2003, a single page correspondence crossed the desk of Mary Mc Geehan, Training Office with Inishowen Development Partnership in County Donegal which is a large rural county in the North West of Ireland. It was an invitation from Leargas , the Irish Support Agency for European –funded programmes, to attend an information session on how to make applications for funding under the Grundtvig Programme. Mary attended the meeting and came away full of enthusiasm for the possibilities this funding could open up for older learners in her locality. Thus was born a Grundtvig 2 Learning Partnership project named EDOL, European Digital Older Learners. The project which has run for three years and just completed its final evaluation set out to teach Information Technology skills to people over the age of 50 ,but like all learning processes it brought all kinds of benefits from friendship and fun to life-changing independence. The online communities stretched across seven European countries, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, UK and Ireland. The two Irish partners were in the North West and South East of the country. The EDOL group grew out of another project called Silver Surfers who were availing of basic computer training provided by the Inishowen Partnership. The Irish EDOL group met every Thursday morning for two hours. The project offered an opportunity to learn digital photography, to use the internet and library facilities to research information on the locality with the intention of compiling a booklet and conversational Spanish lessons. All the groups across Europe were linked in an online learning community and each member set up their own web pages, using the user friendly Tiki Wiki content management system. Members of the different partnership groups communicated regularly, not just by reading each other’s pages , but also by ‘shoutbox’ instant messaging and email. They all shared their life experiences through a project entitled ‘When I was Young’ on the TikiWiki website. In addition everyone accepted the challenge to write a book on their reminiscences and personal reflections. The participants have written their own memories, posted treasured pictures to illustrate a series of themes, family, home, schooldays and so on. The project can be viewed on its website at www.edolproject.com. The Irish group produced a beautiful publication entitled ‘Passages from Inishowen’ which contains reminiscences of times past, poetry, prose and beautiful pictures which provide a fascinating snapshot of life in the area from a different era. James, a participant in the project who also took the photographs for the front and inside covers describes how the process got started:- “ We sat around the table one morning, all of us waiting on instructions from our tutor. She was trying to tell us how we were going to write a book of short stories, some creative writing and some reminiscence…only the poor woman couldn’t get started as someone started to waffle (speak spontaneously) about something they had done or heard; then someone else joined in and knew far more than the last speaker; finally everyone joined in at the same time!” Et voila! The book began to come together. The members of the EDOL Project have shown a strong commitment to learning and great enthusiasm for it. The practical outcomes of the project included;- • Basic ITC and English language skills • Use of the Digital Platform, where it has been possible to upload multimedia products • Promotion of mutual respect and improvement of self esteem in older learners • Major knowledge and awareness of the European dimension through learners’ participation in transnational meetings • Development of the a website, DVD and publications A key factor in the success of the project was the skill and experience of the tutors who were always there to instruct, guide and at times, gently push the participants to reach their full potential. “ They have come so far along the IT highway since they first came together and it is great to hear them using computer jargon like IT boffins!” commented one tutor. The European added value came from the strengthening of the European partnership which has involved formal and non formal training/learning institutions across eight European countries. The co-operation between partners has been an important requirement not only for the exchange of best practice and adult education methodologies among tutors/teachers, but also for the development and improvement of intercultural understanding among learners. The project organisers are convinced that the mobility of tutors and learners has strengthened the awareness and experience of active citizenship at a European level as well. Mary, the Training Officer’s experience of the project are very positive. The project gave her great insight into how other countries run similar programmes and the type of facilities they have at their disposal. Mary has commented, “ I believe Ireland compares very favourably to other countries in the way facilities and supports are organised for older learners.” Berni Brady, Director, AONTAS July 2008 |
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