Final Project Meeting Logroño, February 5-8 Presentation by SLOVENIA

1. Final Project MeetingLogroño, February 5-8Presentation by SLOVENIA

2. Institute for Symbolic Analysis and Development of Information Technologies (IPAK) was founded by four SME-s at Velenje, Slovenia. Velenje is one of the largest industrial centres in Slovenia which has mostly old industry (coal mine, household appliances production, power plant). The main purpose of Institute is to develop curriculum educational materials and to educate for new jobs, which will have important roles in the 21st century. This purpose we try to realize with intensive use of the information and communication technologies.

3. IPAK institute has strong expertise in development, preparation and realization of different distance learning courses on transnational level. We have “DISTANCE” students in Bosnia (University in Sarajevo) California (collaboration with West Valley College) and in Slovenia. Our specific field is distance learning for unemployed people where we achieved good results (about 20% of participants found job in 6 months after course is finished). Most of courses we offered together with WVC are connecting with web design, production and development (http://www.learningbytes.com).

4. In same time we are developing several web applications using modern technologies like XML, XSLT, PHP, and mySql. Especially we are interested in User Analysis, Usability and Accessibility of Internet. E-Know-Net was challenge for IPAK because it covers all main topics we are trying to develop in our institute. Our contribution to the project was based on our strengths, experiences and expertise. Ipak contribution was in analysis of existing e-learning tools, preparation and organization of course about organization of distance learning on WebCT.

5. Ipak has developed and maintained the website for the project (design and production). Ipak prepared the CD and Book for the final presentation. Our Institute organized two successful meetings of project’s team in Slovenia. We were promoting results of the project and enlarging the network in Slovenia and informed about the projects our partners in other countries.

6. Experience Our experience as partner in the project is very positive. The meetings were well organized and very productive. The synergy between the partners were strong, the using of electronic tools (cooperative workspace) very effective and time saving. We learned a lot especially about different cultures and approaches to the education and we hope that other partners did the same. Especially interesting was to prepare distance course , offer it on WebCt and get some positive feedback.

7. Dissemination We promoted e-Know-Net in local and regional newspaper especially on e-city pages (edited by IPAK), at local and regional TV, and in institutions responsible for education and development (CPI Ljubljana- responsible for development of vocational education, RRA Celje – regional development agency, PCMG Small Business Development Agency and National Employment Office) We informed about project several Slovenian companies and institutions, which are active in field of education and two of them became new partners in the E-Know-Net.

8. Synergy We think that strong synergetic effects during the projects has been produced. During last year we prepared several new proposals with FIM Neues Lernen as partner (unfortunately without positive results, We found partners in Austria with FIM support. Slovenian institutions like Regional Development Agency at Celje invited Mr. Winter to talk on Conference in Slovenia. We hope that all E-Know-Net participants will become Slovenian partners in new EU project.

9. We hope that E-Know-Net is a good starting point for long and fruitful collaboration between partners which will result not only in superb educational products but which will generate better understanding of different cultures, traditions and history in the enlarged EU. Thank you. Hvala lepa.