Developing e-learning strategies in sparsely populated area Joint Authority of Kainuu, Finland

1. Developing e-learning strategies in sparsely populated areaJoint Authority of Kainuu, Finland • Part II • Details, Analysis, Transferability • DART-Workshop “Lifelong Learning” • Prague, 2011-06-28 • Viivi Seppänen, Kainuu Vocational College

2. YEAR 2005

3. Basic Information • Name: Verkossa kokien / E-project Kainuu • Duration: 1.4.2005 - 31.3.2007 • Budget: 1 500 000, 00 € • Funding: European Social Fund (ESF), The TE-Centre of Kainuu, Joint Authority of Kainuu Region • Management: Kainuu Vocational College • Personnel: (2005) 1 ½ fulltime, (2006-2007) 2 fulltime + 6 teachers

4. Objectives of The Project • Main goals of the project were: • to promote the use of the network-based teachingthroughout the Kainuu province • to implement e-learning in the region’s labour-market-training-oriented adult education and training • to launch three training programmes leading to qualifications • improve eLearning skills, create support models and common grounds for participants involved 1 2 3 4

5. The Project – Reasons and Motivation • Population centres in the Province of Kainuu are widely spaced • Increasing unemployment • 4 inhabitants / sqkm • It is important to exploit the contemporary technology and the associated possibilities 246km 536km

6. The Project – Organizer and Partner • Kainuu Vocational College, administration • Kainuu Vocational College, Adult Vocational Education, implementation • The TE-Centre of Kainuu, the province’s Employment and Economic Development Centre • 8 employment agencies • Enterprises who offered training places and whos labour force the students are about to fill n • Students taking part in educational pilot programmes

7. The Project – Organizer and Partner • The target group placed in operation field

8. Background Information • Population of the Kainuu Province in 2004 (employment situation of the working age people)

9. Background Information • Kainuu Vocational College, a versatile vocational educational institution • Multiple sites around Kainuu region • 31 different study programs on various sectors: Culture, Natural Resources and Environment, Business and Administration, Social Welfare and Health Care, Technology, Logistics and ICT, Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services. • E-learning experience = zero ( in 2005 ) • About 2600 full-time students in vocational education and training and 5649 students in adult education and training Full time staff about 420

10. Measures • Preplanning of the project • Equipment acquisition + support and administration models of the e-learning environments and video conferencing platform • Planning and implementation of the training programs:1. Study Programme for Vehicle Electricians Business and Administration2. Further Vocational Qualification in Document Management and Archiving3. Specialist Vocational Qualification in Care for the Elderly • Participation from three counties at the same time 1 / 3 E-learning environment 1 / 3 Video conferencing 1 / 3 Practical work

11. Measures • Research and evaluation • Training of the project staff and other partners • Sharing good practices • Project management

12. (Expected) Results • Developed educational implementation model for adult education and training leading to qualification (Common grounds for the education provider and the employment agencies) • Participants involved know their responsibilitys during the training process Analysis for the demand & Educational Planning Acquisition of the education and training Student intake Student selection Implementation of the Educational Programme Further actions Feedback

13. (Expected) Results • Graduates and employment after graduation • Experiences from the pilot programmes -- > Sharing the good practices continued

14. Factors of success 1 • Commitment of the partners involved • Knowledge and resources of the teachers and support staff involved • Previous know-how and basic skills of the students • Management involvement 2 3 4

15. Challenges • The challenge is • to meet the current demand of the labor market in order to offer the correct educational programs • to provide the best possibilities for the student’s employment • the lack of the resources with time and personnel

16. Standards and Indicators • External evaluation was done by University of Oulu, Research and Development Centre of Kajaani • The object of the evaluation was • The planning and implementation processes • Efficiency and effectiveness and • Benefits and importance of the project • Good practices and points to develop where dealt with in all three areas. 1 2 3

17. YEAR 2007-2010 Hanke päättyi ja kehittäminen jatkui. Seuraava massiivinen sisäinen hanke 2009: Uutta virtaa

18. Development After the Project • E-learning development continued • 2009 internal project: ”New energy“ • Main goal was to develop a support model for e-learning

19. YEAR 2011

20. E-learning in Kainuu Vocational College today • E-learning support services are under further development and a part of everyday life • Support for teachers and students is implemented as planned • Model contains themes for- Technical and pedagogical support- Introductions and trainings & Guides- Communications and publicity- Developing and administrating support

21. E-learning in Kainuu Vocational College today • E-learning volume continually grows in all education • Moodle and Adobe Connect are the most important environments

22. E-learning in Kainuu Vocational College today • E-learning awareness and know-how grows, trainings for teachers are offered all the time • New devices and softwares are put into service • The main themes are social media, Second Life, mobile learning and interactive whiteboards

23. Thank you for your attention