Off_roads: Alternative Learning Pathways with Digital Technologies

This training course is an outcome of our collaborative investigations into the concept and approach of 'Connected Learning'. Connected Learning is transforming how young people access and experience learning, and the paths they can take to success. By working together on this project we are aiming at redesigning learning for the connected age. By using various digital technologies we want to build an ecosystem of learning that combines in-school, out-of-school, employer-based and online learning experiences into a network that is open and inviting to all youth. We see many opportunities for young people to learn in many places. Connected Learning creates platform by making it easy for any young person to find fun and engaging learning experiences and pursue learning pathways that cross traditional institutional boundaries. Connected Learning creates opportunities for young people to learn together with peers and mentors who have shared interests, which research has shown deepens learning engagement. Connected Learning holds the promise of delivering immediate, transformative change to many young people who are locked out of traditional paths to success in education, work, personal and civic spheres of life. Connected Learning ensures that today’s young people have the opportunities they need to thrive in 21st century life and work. Connected Learning is a learning approach that emerged from more than 10 years of research to explore how digital media is changing the way young people learn and what they need to know. Connected Learning is a set of powerful design principles that engage, empower, and equip young people to learn effectively, purposefully, and continuously throughout their lives. Aims and objectives. The international training course aims develop further the digital competences of youth workers with a special focus on the Connected Learning and digital technologies which enable such educational approach. Specific objectives of this training course: -> To get familiar with the educational approach and design principles of Connected Learning; -> To learn about and practice various digital technologies which enable Connected Learning; -> To reflect on the latest youth trends and researches in relation to the peer culture and youth behavior in digital environments; -> To explore good practices of using digital technologies in youth work from participating countries; -> To explore further how Erasmus+ Youth in Action can support Connected Learning implementation. Profile of participants. Training course will involve 25 participants who will be youth leaders and youth workers who are: -> Actively involved in running educational activities with young people in youth work organisations; -> Interested to learn about ICT and the use of web tools to enhance learning in youth work context; -> Willing to contribute with their knowledge, experiences and good practices; -> Motivated to apply their learning in practice; -> Above 18 in age -> Able to communicate in English at the sufficient level Participants should have legal residence in on of these countries: Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal or Romania. Working methods used. -> Group dynamic activities such as name games, icebreakers, group building activities; -> Participatory methods such as group work, participants’ presentations, plenary discussions, group presentations; -> Intercultural learning activities such as sauna evenings, field visits, group cultural activities (mostly during the evenings and visits outside the training venue); -> Learning to learn tools and methods such as the use of Open digital badges and Youthpass, peer reflection and feedback, debriefings (throughout all the training course, allocating special time for peer reflection and sharing every day); -> Thematic inputs such as presentations, project examples, showing videos and other online resources (during the specific moments in the programme); -> Practicing digital technologies, learning their features, designing use cases (especially during the visit out to Vilnius, but also through several other sessions in the programme); -> Evaluation activities such as mid-term and final evaluation of personal learning progress, group dynamics, course quality and management. Organisers. NGO Nectarus - lead and hosting partner in Lithuania SEIKLEJATE VENNASKOND, sending partner in Estonia Associazione La Stazione, sending partner in Italy PRISMS, sending partner in Malta Fundacja Global Wave, sending partner in Poland Ha Moment, sending partner in Portugal Team for Youth Association, sending partner in Romania.