<< Objectives >>We want to set quality standards for parallel and maximally interactive hybrid learning settings. In addition, develop and test didactic and methodological approaches to hybrid learning settings. Develop a standardized and multi-level training program for teachers in hybrid learning settings. Evaluate the offer of hybrid learning settings and identify national differences.<< Implementation >>Hold a kick-off meeting. Define quality development, standards and basic conditions in a joint process with education managers, teachers and participants. Create technical solutions for maximally interactive hybrid learning scenarios. Develop a standardized and multi-level advanced training program for teachers in hybrid learning settings. In a transnational meeting, check the progress of the project for sustainability and suitability for everyday use.<< Results >>We will be able to present a highly interactive technical hybrid learning scenario. In addition, we can present a multi-level and standardized training program for teachers and participants. The core result will be to be able to clarify and present on the three levels of education management, lecturers and participants how new hybrid learning scenarios can be successfully integrated into everyday teaching at an adult education center.

"Context/backgroundThe increasing ageing of the population is a topic of actual importance that most European countries have to face. In the near future most citizens in Europe will be over 60 years old. This will affect the economical and social life. New challenges will occur by keeping them socially and educationally active to avoid social exclusion. Therefore the partnership considers it as important to focus on this target group and deal with the problem from the perspective of general adult education and training as well as from the perspective of the target group itself. Neuroscience carried on many studies on the aging process.Now a new study suggests that mental activity can offset the effects not just of degenerative diseases, but of normal aging as well. In an article published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, Nina Kraus and her colleagues at Northwestern University measured the ability of subjects to respond quickly and accurately to sounds that they heard.The learning partnership aims to elaborate a specific methodology to teach foreign languages to seniors (over 60) according to the abilities, learning capability, pace and time specific for this target group, without considering social and education backgrounds.ObjectivesA Manual for seniors’ teachers and trainers will be developed by the partnership. The Manual aims at supplying a sound methodology with pedagogical consideration and practical suggested activities. The partnership will involve the staff of adult education organisations and stakeholders in general to pilot the guidelines for trainers of this target group, to obtain a final version of the Manual resulted from the piloting feedbacks and outcomes.An initial research for good and bad practice collections from different European countries will be the basis of the Manual.Number and profile of participantsAll partners have a great experience to teach languages and they will bring their expertise and methodology in the project to produce a brand new methodology based on already existing and effective ones .The Italian partner Lingua Più, few years ago, started the application of the Montessori principles to foreign language teaching, with the aim of improving the quality of its educational programs, both with children and adults. The application of the Montessori Method in language training, is actually a very new methodology: researches in 9 EU countries have demonstrated that such a structured application does not exist anywhere else. The participation in EU projects improved the methodology and resulted in two Manuals written by Lingua Più. So, Lingua Più will bring in the project its expertise in language teaching, pedagogy and writing of teachers’ guidelines.Description of activitiesWe will organise 3 project meetings:Oct.2016 Vienna, Manual part oneJan 2017 France, Manual part twoMay 2017 Italy, Manual part threeWe will work on the Manual during the project meetings using different formats of presentation tools, round-table-discussions, group work, lectures.Methodology to be used in carrying out the projectAll partners have a great experience to teach languages and they will bring their expertise and methodology in the project to produce a brand new methodology based on already existing and effective ones.We will work intensively during the project meetings: Group work, round-table-discussions, exchange of written papers before the meeting.We will use the grant ""Project management""- for the production costs of the Manual- for the organisation of the project meetings- for the establishing of a projects websiteA short description of the results and impact envisagedThe learning partnership aims to elaborate a specific methodology to teach foreign languages to seniors (over 60) according to the abilities, learning capability, pace and time specific for this target group, without considering social and education backgrounds.A Manual for seniors’ teachers and trainers will be developed by the partnership. The Manual aims at supplying a sound methodology with pedagogical consideration and practical suggested activities.Longer term benefitsAn increase of courses and participants 60+ who are attending our new language courses.We will involve local stakeholders in our project activities, among them representatives of other educational institutes: Hopefully these institutes will use our Manual for their offers of language courses.We see this project and the resulting Manual as one contribution to the discussion about activities for people 60+ in Europe.The direct group, 60+, will be shown the reasons why to learn a foreign language and also that the learning process it is easy also at this age. This will foster the request of language learning and consequently the active aging."

Context / backgroundThe current refugee situation is under different signs for the countries of the European Community as well as for Turkey a major challenge and an opportunity. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have and want to integrate as quickly as possible in their new living environment and in working life, without knowing whether they will abide forever or can.The community colleges are community learning networks. They realize its program in cooperation with numerous players in the community (religious communities, cultural institutions such as museums and theaters, clubs, schools, universities, businesses, chambers) and civil society organisations. This particular network offers numerous additional and formal and informal contacts to the immigrants.ObjectivesThe municipalities Maltepe, Munich, Ulm and Vienna are affected of the current refugee situation under different political conditions and in different order. In all four municipalities, it was important to develop, test and establish long-term community integration strategies beyond the current program to supply and accommodate refugees. The learning partnership between these four community colleges was the systematic exchange and the further profiling of municipal integration strategy in adult and further education.Number and profile of participantsRepresentants of VHS Maltepe, Munich and Ulm met each other in October 2015 in Istanbul and began the planning of a Learning partnership. VHS Wien joined the consortium during a working visit in Munich in February 2016. During this visit the partners decided to continue the exchange of experiences concerning the refugee situation by writing this application.Description of activities1. Language and everyday culture initial orientation and target group-specific models of education and vocational training, particularly for women and young people. The aim of this subproject was to describe the existing and proven models and practical examples particularly in the community colleges Munich, Ulm and Vienna in their strengths and improvement potentials and prepare their testing in new locations. The management of this project was the task of the community college Maltepe.2. Early detection of training, work experience and existing skills.The aim of this subproject was the development and testing of existing instruments of the detection of non-formal or informally acquired skills (potential analysis) and the implementation of these instruments in the continuing education counseling for migrants at community colleges and vocational and employment counseling employment services. Volkshochschule Wien managed this project. 3. monitoring and professionalization of civic engagement.The aim of this project was the development of standards in the qualification of civic engagement in refugee work at community colleges. The management of this project was done by Volkshochschule Ulm.4. Immigration as an opportunity for self-reflection: dialogues between native and immigrant population. The classic forms of participatory political and intercultural education at community colleges offer many approaches that should be further developed technically and methodically in this subproject, managed by Volkshochschule München.Methodology to be used in carrying out the project.We were convinced of our democratic approach to the application process: The distribution of tasks was developed jointly by all partners.During the project meeting we - learned about the offers for integration of the host of the meeting and identify best practices- concluded agreements about the exchange of experts between the partners- developed new project ideas based on the defined framework. Furthermore we - Invited external experts to our meetings- translated documents produced during the meetings- prepared the closing conference- worked on the documentation of the project results- disseminated information about our activities on local, national and European level. A short description of the results and impact envisaged. The project partners were focusing on four areas of action:1. Language and everyday culture initial orientation and target group-specific models of education and vocational training, particularly for women and young people 2. Early detection of training, work experience and existing skills 3. monitoring and professionalization of civic engagement 4. Immigration as an opportunity for self-reflection: dialogues between native and immigrant population. Longer term benefits. The results of the project work were introduced in the regular working programs of the Volkshochschulen involved given the fact that Munich, Vienna and Ulm are important players in their countries with a long tradition.

<< Objectives >>We want to create a toolbox and guide, easily taken into use, related to hybrid classroom teaching in second language learning for adults. We are creating this guide to increase the quality of teaching in hybrid classrooms for adult learners<< Implementation >>We will have multiple online and physical meetings to systematically evaluate the outcomes in each phase of our project. We are going to do research and development of a guide, in a simple format, and a toolbox in an online resource format. We will also hold nationla multiplier events<< Results >>We will produce a guide, in an easily shared format, We will also produce an online resource which we are calling the toolbox. In addition to this, we will produce a final report and launch the toolbox and guide to our instructors and interested organisations. We will also

<< Background >>European countries are facing the challenge of growing groups of inhabitants who are not citizens and thus not allowed to vote in national elections. Political participation on a local or regional level, though, is legally possible, yet many people in this group and in other marginalised groups either do not know about these possibilities or are challenged to participate because of low skills, a low social standing or insecurities. The project has identified some groups that are afflicted by this situation as being people with a need for basic education.<< Objectives >>We intend to support people belonging to marginalised or underprivileged groups to actively take part in political participation processes and thus contribute to wider participation on political issues such as city planning, communal budgeting etc. and thus contribute to a feeling of belonging of these groups and an increased belief in democracy.<< Implementation >>The activities planned in the project are 1)Initial research in ways of political participation in the partner countries and the obstacles certain groups of people face2)Courses and educational programs for learners for the addressed groups to develop methods and toolkits for working in participation-oriented basic education3)Guidelines for teachers and institutions for participation-oriented basic education as well as workshops to raise awareness among institutions and their stakeholders4)Policy recommendations for government agencies on a local and regional level, adult education institutions and community organisations<< Results >>We expect fruitful cooperation with government bodies on a regional and local level and more opportunities to participate for the groups addressed and perhaps more participation processes in the regions we are working in.Additional results will be the product of the project (listed above) that will support adult education and communities to be able to make use of their opportunities at participating in their relevant fields.