Smart_VET
Implementation of the Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) into the UK education system started over ten years ago.
There is now available a broad field of different research studies particularly related to the effective use of that tool which lead to enhancing teaching and learning in the classroom. According to extensive researches of JISC and BECTA, IWBs create a range of learning opportunities for both teachers and students. Teachers have found them highly motivating and learner-centred when integrated innovatively.
In the past couple of years IWBs are beginning to find their way into Irish schools, which is mainly driven by motivation of enthusiastic teachers. Although VET Colleges in Ireland have started to invest more in IWBs, limited time and training resources are available to allow teachers to up skill in the use of IWBs. Many VET teachers are self taught and there is no recognisable online Community of Practice in Ireland dedicated to IWBs in VET.
Project aims:
- Identify good practice in the delivery of training on IWBs and transfer it to the VET sector in Ireland
- Provide VET teachers with competencies needed to design educational resources suitable to be used with IWBs and to integrate them in everyday teaching activities
- Foster the use of IWBs in the delivery of CPD programmes to VET teachers
Project objectives:
- Undertake needs analysis of VET teachers in terms of IWBs tarining
- Select pilot group of teachers and train them as IWBs Champions during Workshops organised in Ireland
- Develop Training Programme and CPD materials on IWBs and create an online Community of Practice for VET teachers
- Disseminate project outcomes and share experience with VET sector in Ireland and across Europe
The project partners are:
- FIT, a leading innovator in VET;
- Co Wicklow VEC, a major adult education provider in Ireland with over 8,000 students, 11 Secondary Schools & 8 Adult Education Centres;
- Irish Vocational Education Association which work closely with 33 VECs in Ireland and wider network of VET partners across EU;
- ENAIP FVG, a Vocational Training Institution from Italy specializing in the field of CPD of VET teachers and innovative teaching methods related to ICT tools;
- TELLConsult from the Netherlands operating in the field of CPD for teachers and technology enhanced learning with extensive experience in developing training on IWBs;
- City College Norwich of Further & Higher Education, an innovator in implementation of ICT in teaching process with 1,000 staff and 9 Vocational Colleges.
The project was supported by the Irish associate partner, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), which is a leading institution in the country in the field of technology enhanced learning and have a vast experience in IWBs training.
It was an important opportunity to exchange experiences on the use of the interactive whiteboard, and was a springboard for the new project on LIM, to ownership ENAIP FVG, approved this year, "TKEY HIL", which in turn sees the involvement of Irish partners.
Project outcomes:
Training Programme on Interactive Whiteboards, CPD materials for VET teachers & IWBs Community of Practice.
