Technical Innovation in Blended Learning: An EU Project on Continuous Vocational Education Using Multiple Devices

Abstract

This ERASMUS+ project Technology Innovations in Blended Learning (TIBL) is a two-year project (2017-2019), aiming to develop high level continuous vocational education and training(C-VET) courses for training performed in formal and in non-formal C-VET education. These courses use blended learning (Adams Becker et al., 2017; Bates, 2015, Bates, 2016, 2017;Christensen, Horn, & Staker, 2013, Daniel, 2016; Christensen Institute, 2015; Ossiannilsson,2017; Taylor, 2013) as a technology enhanced method and focus on the use of multiple devices, such as Smartphones and Tablets (used by the trainees in their everyday life) to develop professional competencies that will close the expectation gap between trainees and companies.The innovative approach in this project embraces the implementation of a trainee-focused pedagogical framework based on heutagogy (Blaschke & Hase, 2016; Hase & Kenyon, 2000),the development of an all-encompassing quality enhancement framework (including also the pedagogy approach), and the exploitation of various technical equipment (the multiple devices). The project is complementary to a Grundtvig Multilateral project by transferring the theoretical developed outputs to a practical implementation in a different (but similar)educational sector.