Using the TIPS platform to train Greek cultural mediators

1. Using the TIPS platform to train Greek cultural mediators Konstantina N. Polymeropoulou, postgraduate student in Cultural Organizations Management Achilles D. Kameas, Assistant Professor Hellenic Open University

2. Introduction In the frame of the "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" (year 2008), the cultural mediators are indicated as the most important players in facilitating the adaptation and adoption of immigrants by the hosting society. SALL Conference, Patras

3. Cultural mediators “Cultural mediators are involved in all services for immigrants, refugees and human traffic victims. These include welcoming services, as well as education, health, insurance, job seeking, and other services. Cultural mediators require valuable, updated training especially applicable in everyday work-related activities.” SALL Conference, Patras

4. Role and traits of cultural mediators • They act as facilitators aiming to enhance the communication and to establish a common understanding between the immigrants / refugees and the public bodies of the hosting country • They have a significant position and can be helpful in many important fields such as health, education, employment, legal rights etc • They support foreign citizens and their families, providing them with information and professional consultancy in order to adapt better and even become integrated in the hosting country. • They have communication skills and are very good listeners • They have knowledge both of the native and the host countries (culture, laws, traditions…) SALL Conference, Patras

5. Educating cultural mediators: need for a non traditional approach The need to develop a non - traditional approach to enhancing cultural mediators’ education has risen because of the requirement to constantly provide information and support to the immigrants, overcoming constraints of time and space. SALL Conference, Patras

6. The TIPS project • Co-financed by the EU Leonardo da Vinci Programme • Duration: 2 years , from 01/11/2007 to 31/10/2009 • Developed a blended T-learning methodology by integrating a triple technology platform consisting of • e-learning (Internet), • M-learning (PDA & Smartphones) and • TV-learning (IPTV) • Five countries participated in the project (Italy, Greece, France, Austria and Poland) • Outcome: training course SALL Conference, Patras

7. Partners • Consorzio FOR.COM, ITALY www.forcom.it • Auxilium, AUSTRIA www.auxilium.co.at • IRIV, FRANCE www.iriv.net • Hellenic Open University, GREECE www.eap.gr • GruppoPragma, ITALY www.gruppopragma.it • Tischner European University, POLAND www.wse.krakow.pl SALL Conference, Patras

8. Aims of the TIPS project • To develop and test an online training course • To use the T-learning methodology, addressing • potential cultural mediators • professional cultural mediators • social workers • To advance their skills and capabilities required for cooperating with immigrants SALL Conference, Patras

9. The T-Learning methodology The TIPS system combines three different educational platforms, in order to maximize the benefits of distance learning tools: • the e-learning platform, • the M-learning platform and • the IPTV-learning platform. SALL Conference, Patras

10. The e-learning platform • view multimedia training content • attend virtual classrooms • participate in a discussion forum • interact with other students and/or the tutors • download the didactic material • exchange information and knowledge • see in a menu the available services such as communication tools, the training agenda, announcements, documents, links and access to the e-course contents www.forcom.it/tipsproject SALL Conference, Patras

11. The M-learning platform • supports a “learning-by doing” approach integrated with “learning in the workplace” • access to the training course contents anytime anywhere through a mobile phone or PDA • different didactic material • communication tools, such as the TIPS phrasebook http://77.238.3.46/claroing/mobile/ SALL Conference, Patras

12. The IPTV-learning platform The IPTV-learning platform needs: • a TV set • a set top box (with a remote control and a keyboard) • ADSL Internet connection 77.238.3.46/claroing/IPTV SALL Conference, Patras

13. The TIPS Course The TIPS training Course titled “Practicing and Enhancing Cultural Mediation in a Pluralistic Europe” officially started on March 2009 ended on August 2009. The TIPS training Course appealed not only to the people who were already working as professional cultural mediators and require up-to-date training, but also to those prospective cultural mediators, who needed to enhance their knowledge and skills. SALL Conference, Patras

14. Modules • Module I: Introduction to the TIPS course • Module II: Cultural Mediation: A Professional Profile • Module III: The Psychology of Cultural Mediation • Module IV: National and European Legislation • Module V: Cultural Mediation: Fields of Application SALL Conference, Patras

15. Additional learning content • TIPS glossary • TIPS phrasebook • multimedia objects composed of images, audio and text • an e-book that provides information about several migrant countries, cultures and traditions SALL Conference, Patras

16. The learning Objects • Mobile learning pills • IPTV videos & quizzes • A/V lessons • Slides • Lecture notes • Quizzes SALL Conference, Patras

17. The TIPS training • A specific selection process of the participants was realized in every participating country • 100 participants from all the partner countries • The selected course participants were given a training schedule describing the sequence of study of the five course modules. • They attended one Virtual Classroom from a distance using the TIPS e-learning platform • Course students could log on the e-learning platform from their own premises and on the three platforms from one of the TIPS Centres SALL Conference, Patras

18. The Greek Class (1) • More than 50 people were interested in participating in the TIPS course • Finally 25 of them were selected and enrolled • 21 people from all around Greece • 1 from Albania • 1 from Romania • 2 from Lebanon SALL Conference, Patras

19. The Greek Class (2) • 3TIPS Centres were set up in 3 cities in the country • Patras, • Athens and • Rethimno • Each TIPS Centre offered • IPTV, • a mobile phone for the m-learning platform and • PCs with ADSL Internet connection SALL Conference, Patras

20. Results After the realization of the course, Hellenic Open University issued seventeen (17) certificates of attendance to the Greek class who completed at least a minimum of 30% of the Learning Objects. The 68% of the Greek Class managed to use the triple platform in a satisfactory level. Most of them have never used the mobile telephone and television for educational purposes. SALL Conference, Patras

21. Evaluation • evaluation questionnaires • interviews • roundtable discussions SALL Conference, Patras

22. Conclusion The T-learning methodology that was applied in the TIPS project has enhanced the combination of theory and practice, synchronous and asynchronous, autonomous and collaborative learning. It realized a pilot training Course at a European level, combining three novel an powerful technologies: Internet, mobile phones and IPTV. Cultural Mediators will always need to improve their capabilities and competences SALL Conference, Patras

23. Thank you for your attention!! kopo@eap.gr kameas@eap.gr eeyem@eap.gr SALL Conference, Patras