Project Summary

In the MobileBE project we develop new methods for offering basic education (literacy, numeracy, IT) to adults who due to special circumstances of life are not able to attend traditional or existing learning offers. The methods will be custom-made for the target groups so to enable them to engage in learning activities. The methods will answer the problems these groups face regarding attending events at a given time or place (therefore "mobile"). The methods may (but do not necessarily) include forms of distance learning or e-learning. 16 new methods will be developed by 8 partner organisations in 7 countries.

Impact

We expect the following impact:

TARGET GROUP (direct)

32 professionals in adult education (8 partner organisation, 2 pilot projects each, with 2 experts working on each pilot) enhance their competencies through developing in an international team new methods for making basic education accessible for everybody, with special respect to individuals who due to circumstances in their life are unable to attend existing or “ordinary” learning offers.

32 other professionals from 7 countries get acquainted with the new methods, in an international Short Term Joint Staff Training, to a level so that they are able to implement the new methods in their own working environment, or to develop similar methods on their own, following the model given in form of the 16 new methods. (4 experts sent to the Learning Activity per partner.)

220 more professionals in adult basic education get acquainted with the project results, especially with the set of new methods for providing adult basic education for special groups, in the multiplier events in the 7 participating countries. – This is about 40 participants per country, however, the exact number is planned according to the concrete circumstances in each country, the numbers varying between 20 and 70. (For details see the budget.)

FINAL BENEFICIARIES

320 individuals in need of basic education, but living in circumstances preventing to attend courses or other „ordinary“ offers, are involved in the pilot projects to test the new methods. (8 partners, 2 methods each, each method tested in two cycles with 10 participants on average, so that after Cycle 1 the method can be adjusted according to the experience made, and then again be tested in Cycle 2 with new participants).

These participants acquire literacy, or improve their literacy and basic skills, according to the requirements specified for each method individually in the process of designing this method custom-made for each target group in the first months of the project. Having acquired better basic skills, the participants then have a better chance to integrate into society.

Note: the number of participants per course (pilot to test a method) will be determined by the practical needs of the target group.

Some target groups require very small groups (5-6 participants), other target groups will allow for more participants per course (pilot project). Decisive is the quality of the method, not the quantity of learners per course. - During preparation of the project, various models - including size of groups - were discussed with the partners.

INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL

Eight adult education organisations in 7 countries improve their competences and the sustainability of their work in the area of literacy and basic education for adults by developing, testing, and disseminating a set of 16 new methods for reaching and teaching special groups. Moreover, they improve their competence and experience in knowledge areas that are integrated parts of this project:

• outreach methodology (“reach and teach”) for special groups
• competence assessment

• validation of learning results, with special respect to non-formal and informal learning

The methods developed during the project will subsequently become part of the everyday work in these institutions. The perspective for this to happen is very high because each institution will develop methods that are custom-made for important target groups in this specific town or region, and it will e adjusted to the overall working framework of the organisation, including its financial condition.

Decisive added value, however, lies in the common European perspective. The new methods will be designed just after all partners have acquired improved understanding of what methods are already existing not only in their closer environment, but in 7 European countries, including the Norther, Southern, Eastern and Western parts of the subcontinent.

SYSTEM LEVEL / EUROPEAN LEVEL

The new methods (16 new methods for reaching and teaching adult individuals in need of basic education who otherwise are “hard to get at”) are available for adult educators throughout Europe for use in their everyday work.

The methods are available through a series of materials (case studies, documentation, teaching aids, guidelines for implementation), as well as through promotional-motivational videos, which will increase their visibility decisively.

The new methods can be implemented 1:1 in other organisations, or these organisations can use the methods created in the project as models for their own custom-made offers.

By the end of the project, multiplier events are held in all seven countries in order to make experts and practitioners acquainted with the new methods. This, and the dissemination activities, will contribute to awareness raising for the needs of special groups with difficulties to make use of existing learning offers.

European Added Value

This project brings together a consortium of 8 adult education providers from 7 countries: Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. Each of these organisations is experienced in basic education and literacy training for adults. Some have helped thousands of adults to reach a level of education adequate for living in a modern society.