DigiWork
"Your chance to be digital"
Project n.2022-2-IT02-KA210-ADU-000094581
This objective will lead to adult learners who come from non-digital industries and could unemployed to improve their livelihood and achieve a level of digital competences that will allow them to re-join the job market, or promote their business - if they have one - in a digital way.
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Activity
1. Project management and implementation
The first activity of the DigiWork project, focused on "Project Management and Implementation," laid the foundation for the entire initiative. Starting officially on February 20, 2023, this activity involved a series of structured online meetings held bi-monthly to ensure continuous communication and effective monitoring of all ongoing national activities. The project management team meticulously prepared all necessary documents, including partnership agreements, GANT charts, and annexes, which were shared among partners via a Google Drive folder for easy access. A critical in-person meeting was held from June 19 to 23, 2023, in Cava de' Tirreni (SA), marking the project's official kick-off. Originally planned for Luxembourg, the meeting location was corrected to Cava de' Tirreni, where the partnership finalized and approved the project’s documentation, ensuring alignment on objectives and procedures. Throughout the project, dedicated teams were established within each partner organization, consisting of three staff members, including an adult educator and two participants from the target group. These teams played a vital role in engaging other participants and ensuring that the project activities adhered to the established quality criteria. The collaboration extended beyond the core partners, involving 10 additional organizations within each partner's network. This collaboration was instrumental in enhancing local engagement and ensuring a broader dissemination of the project's results. The management and implementation phase, culminating in the first Transnational Project Meeting (TPM1), was a significant success, fostering a strong collaborative environment that set the stage for the project's subsequent phases. This phase was crucial for establishing a shared understanding among partners and ensuring that all project activities were effectively aligned with the overall objectives of DigiWork.
2. Research on the obstacles to the acquisition of digital skills of adult learners
The second activity of the DigiWork project, titled "Research on the Obstacles to the Acquisition of Digital Skills of Adult Learners," was a comprehensive effort aimed at understanding the challenges faced by adults aged 45 and above in acquiring digital competencies. This activity was essential to achieve the project's primary objectives: improving digital skills among adult learners and enhancing their employability. Activity Overview: The research phase extended from February 2023 to July 2024, a slight deviation from the original plan, allowing for a more in-depth and accurate implementation of the research process. This extension ensured that all four critical phases of the research were completed thoroughly: Development of Practical Instructions and Partner Training: Detailed guidelines were provided to ensure a standardized approach across all partner organizations. This included training sessions focused on the Design Thinking methodology, which was integral to guiding the research. In-Depth Study and Data Collection: This phase involved analyzing local contexts, demographics, and statistical data to identify areas most at risk of digital exclusion. A total of 72 questionnaires were distributed, involving both adult learners and local companies. The data collected revealed key barriers to digital skill acquisition, such as technological anxiety, lack of motivation, and limited access to digital resources. Focus Groups: 49 adult learners and 16 companies participated in carefully structured focus groups, conducted both in-person and online. These sessions provided valuable insights into the specific digital skills required in the labor market and the challenges adults face in acquiring these skills. Final Reporting: The findings from the focus groups and questionnaires were analyzed and compiled into final reports. These reports were crucial for the subsequent creation of a practical guide for educators, aimed at addressing the identified barriers and enhancing the digital learning experience for adults. The successful completion of this activity not only provided a deep understanding of the obstacles to digital skill acquisition but also laid the groundwork for developing tailored educational materials and strategies. This research activity was instrumental in ensuring that the DigiWork project's outputs, such as the e-learning modules and practical guides, were effectively aligned with the needs of adult learners, thus maximizing the project's impact.
3. E-learning Course and DigiWork Guide for Digital Skills for Adults
The third activity of the DigiWork project, titled "E-learning Course and DigiWork Guide for Digital Skills for Adults," was meticulously designed to bridge the digital skills gap among adults over 45. This activity included the development of ten e-learning modules, each focusing on essential digital competencies, ranging from basic computer use to advanced skills like video editing and social media management. The modules were crafted with a strong emphasis on accessibility, ensuring that they catered to the varied learning paces and styles of the target audience. The creation process involved close collaboration between the project partners, who combined their expertise to develop content that was both practical and directly applicable to the real-world needs of the learners. A crucial part of this activity was the iterative feedback process: as the modules were being tested by the participants, their input was continuously gathered and used to refine the content, ensuring it remained relevant and user-friendly. Alongside the e-learning modules, a comprehensive guide was also developed. This guide serves as a practical tool for educators, offering step-by-step instructions on how to effectively integrate the e-modules into their teaching practices. It also provides tips on how to support adult learners, particularly those who may be less familiar with digital environments. The activity culminated in a series of local events where the modules were tested and reviewed in real-time, allowing for immediate adjustments and enhancements. This approach not only improved the quality of the learning materials but also helped in building a community of learners and educators who could share experiences and best practices. Overall, the "E-learning Course and DigiWork Guide for Digital Skills for Adults" was a cornerstone of the DigiWork project, playing a vital role in achieving the project's objectives of improving digital literacy among older adults and enhancing their employability.
4. Dissemination and sharing of project results
The dissemination and sharing of the DigiWork project results was a strategic activity that ran from February 2023 to July 2024, in parallel with the project's management and implementation phases. This activity involved several phases, starting with the development of a communication strategy and plan, which outlined the methods and channels for reaching the target audience, including adults over 45, educators, and other stakeholders. The dissemination strategy initially planned to use a broad range of social media platforms, including Instagram and LinkedIn. However, feedback from early research and focus groups revealed that the primary platforms used by the target group were Facebook and YouTube. Consequently, the focus shifted to these two platforms, maximizing engagement and ensuring that the content reached the intended audience more effectively. Throughout the project, several key outputs were achieved, including the publication of 110 video courses/e-modules on the project's YouTube channel, which saw more than 500 subscribers and over 6,000 views. Additionally, video interviews were produced during the TPM2 in Spain and during the Erasmusdays event, where adult learners from the target group shared their experiences with the materials developed by the project. The dissemination efforts also included six local mini-events, which were crucial for gathering immediate feedback from participants and testing the materials in real-time. These events helped refine the educational content based on direct input from the target group, ensuring that the final products were both relevant and effective. Three expressions of interest were also secured during the dissemination phase: from two Universities of the Third Age (one in Sofia, Bulgaria, and another in Pescara, Italy) and SEBRAE, an organization in Brazil focused on supporting small and micro-enterprises. These expressions of interest are a testament to the project's impact and its potential for broader application beyond the initial target regions. In addition to these achievements, over 1,000 emails were sent as part of the dissemination efforts, which included newsletters and other communication materials designed to keep stakeholders informed about the project's progress and outcomes. A comprehensive dissemination plan was developed, complete with visual materials, a logo, and promotional items to support the project's visibility.
TPM1_Transnational project meeting in Italy
The first Transnational Project Meeting (TPM1) of the DigiWork project, held in Cava de’ Tirreni, Italy, from June 19th to 23rd, 2023, marked a pivotal moment in the project’s development. Hosted by Punto Europa, this gathering brought together key representatives from the partner organizations, EduAge (Bulgaria) and Anglo Service (Spain), to establish a unified vision and strategy for the project’s implementation. This meeting was integral to laying the groundwork for the collaborative efforts that would follow, ensuring that all partners were aligned on objectives, methodologies, and expectations. The atmosphere in Cava de’ Tirreni was one of anticipation and collaboration. The scenic surroundings of the town, combined with the rich cultural backdrop of Italy, provided an inspiring setting for the discussions. The meeting began with a comprehensive review of the project’s objectives, where each partner had the opportunity to present their perspectives, share insights, and discuss the roles and responsibilities assigned to them. This initial session was crucial for fostering a sense of ownership among the partners, ensuring that everyone was committed to the project’s success. The development of these practical guidelines was rooted in the initial phases of the project, where the need for a standardized approach across all participating countries—Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria—became evident. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of the adult learners and the varying levels of digital proficiency, the project team focused on creating a set of instructions that could be easily followed and adapted by all partners. The guidelines encompass several key areas: Preparation: Detailed instructions on how to prepare for the research and focus groups, including the development of questionnaires, selecting participants, and setting up the necessary digital tools. Execution: Step-by-step procedures on conducting the focus groups, with an emphasis on creating an inclusive and comfortable environment for participants who may be unfamiliar with digital platforms. The guidelines also provide tips on how to facilitate discussions and encourage participant engagement. Data Collection: The guidelines outline methods for collecting and recording data, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all research activities. This section also includes advice on how to handle and store sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality. Analysis and Reporting: Instructions on analyzing the collected data and how to report the findings in a way that is both informative and actionable. The focus is on identifying key insights that can directly inform the development of the project's digital skills training modules. Implementation and Impact: The practical guidelines were implemented during the various stages of research conducted across the partner countries. They proved invaluable in standardizing the approach, ensuring that all data collected was comparable and relevant. This, in turn, allowed for a more accurate assessment of the digital skills gaps among the adult learners and informed the subsequent development of targeted training modules.
TPM 2_Transnational project meeting in Spain
The second Transnational Project Meeting (TPM2) of the DigiWork project, held in Spain from April 2nd to 5th, 2024, was a pivotal event that brought together the project’s key stakeholders to assess progress, evaluate the effectiveness of implemented activities, and plan for the upcoming phases. Hosted by Anglo Service, this meeting was not only a moment for reflection but also a strategic planning session that solidified the direction of the project moving forward. TPM2 was characterized by a collaborative and forward-looking atmosphere, where partners from Italy, Bulgaria, and Spain converged to share insights, successes, and challenges encountered thus far. The meeting's setting in Spain provided a vibrant backdrop that fostered open dialogue and creative problem-solving. The sessions were designed to be both reflective and action-oriented, ensuring that every discussion translated into concrete plans for the next steps. Evaluation of Research and Focus Group Activities: One of the central themes of TPM2 was the in-depth review of the research and focus group activities conducted in the previous months. Partners presented their findings, sharing data and insights gathered from the adult learners and companies involved. The discussions highlighted the diverse digital literacy needs across different regions and industries, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the target audience. This evaluation was crucial in identifying the strengths of the initial phases and areas that required further refinement. The meeting also focused on the progress made in developing the e-learning modules. Partners reviewed the content of the modules that had been produced and tested so far, discussing the feedback received from initial testing phases. The collaborative discussions allowed for the sharing of best practices in content creation and digital engagement, ensuring that the remaining modules would be developed with these insights in mind. The team collectively strategized on how to enhance the learning experience, making it more accessible and engaging for adult learners with varying levels of digital proficiency. TPM2 served as a platform for conducting a thorough qualitative and quantitative assessment of the project’s progress. The partners, along with associated stakeholders, engaged in detailed evaluations of the project’s impact, using both data-driven insights and anecdotal evidence from participants. A report was compiled during the meeting, outlining the current level of success and identifying specific areas for improvement. This report would serve as a guiding document for the final stages of the project, ensuring that all activities align with the high standards set at the outset.
RESULTS
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Ulteriori informazioniVIDEO COURSES
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"DigiWork E-Modules: The Gateway to Digital Skills for Adults"
How to Start Your Digital Journey? To start your journey to digital success, visit our website and dive into DigiWork E-Modules. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to receive continuous updates and exclusive insights.
ErasmusDays and the DigiWork Project: Transforming Adult Digital Skills for a Digital Future
The DigiWork project is a tangible example of how Erasmus+ and the Digital Education Action Plan can drive innovation in education and learning. We are excited to continue our work to promote adult digital literacy and help build a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all Europeans. Thank you for your support and participation in this important mission.
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We remind you that Digi Work: digital skills for adult learners - project n.2022-2-IT02-KA210-ADU-000094581 is co-financed by the Erasmusplus Programme. Any information can be requested from any of the project partners.