Blended Learning in non-formal and informal context

Experiences in different formal, non-formal and informal learning environments

European partners from 11 countries working in the framework of the blended learning institutions cooperative blinc have been applying web-based, mixed learning methodologies for different learning groups and contexts in 3 different projects.

The project INTEGRATION deals with intercultural staff training for organisations working with multiethnic clients and beneficiaries.

Nine partners from six nations have been developing audiovisual learning and train-ing materials. This was done by using video-graphic approaches in intercultural training, by analysing given situations of intercultural encounters in a critical incident ap-proach and by producing and documenting “intercultural micro-communications” as short online films.

In the framework of the project “JEM!” – Joint Environmental Management funded by the SOCRATES Joint Actions programme partners from 5 countries applied an eCoaching-System for the introduction of environmental management in European schools. The content of the system consists of full fledged courses, training materials and accompanying guidelines for teachers, trainers or consultants.

The applied system used in JEM! was developed in the framework of a project “IEM in hospitals” that was awarded as one of best 5 projects out of 2.500 since 1992.

In the framework of JEM! the approach was transferred to European schools.

Training and counselling is performed using blended learning approaches and the entire system can be accessed on the interactive project website.

Both projects are examples how innovative, IT-aided learning concepts can be real-ized in various formal and informal learning environments with different learning groups, contents and objectives. They clearly showed that the success is to a major extend determined by the quality of the applied instructional design in the blended learning contexts.

That’s why the project A-B-C-D (Advanced Blended Learning and Didactics) (Grundtvig 1.1, 2005-2007) is aiming at the development of a comprehensive training course for “Blended Learning Designers”.

In September 2007 the course will be carried out in Bordeaux (FR), introduced by a preliminary eLearning phase. The course will also offer opportunities to develop individual blended learning projects using Web 2.0 tools like blogs, WIKI, ePortfolios and synchronous web-communication instruments like online-conferences or skype.

This is the detailed article: Successful Blended Learning Projects