New contents for Resource Area 1: The "Workshop facilitators' tools" as bridging tools after the LPA analyses

07-November-2006

[ arenas for piloting , knowledge sharing , workplace learning ]
In a previous posting I have presented briefly my idea on five "Resource Areas" as the content areas for WLP Web (and as resources to be addressed selectively in the WLP Manual and in the WLP Course). This posting updates the prior blog entry with a revised and completed set of "Workshop facilitator's tools".
In the evolution of the WLP project history it has become clear that there has been a conceptual hurdle how to proceed after the basic analyses that were undertaken in the beginning phase. The project proceeded for some time with a coherent format via the construction of the national maps and via the LPA-analyses (or the alternative LAR-analyses). Then, after the LPA-analyses (or LAR-analyses) there was a difficult period how to find the ways further. As we remember, the joint discussion shifted to the theme "WLP Web" whereas the partners had to find their ways forward with a manageable 'piloting agenda'.

The "Workshop facilitators' tools" have been designed as simple tools to address some key questions that are important for the primary orientation of the potential partners:

  • Tool 1 focuses of different options for partnership cooperation.
  • Tool 2 focuses on different options for networked learning.
  • Tool 3 focuses on different steps to be taken as immediate developmental measures.

The tools refer to the different piloting/networking approaches (and the related organisational measures) that have been put into practice in some of the national activities within the WLP project.

From this perspective I believe that the Workshop facilitators' tools serve their purpose as bridging contributions between the LPA/LAR-analyses.

Pekka Kämäräinen



Pekka Kämäräinen; 07-November-2006 10:59:02 forum (0)

New contents for Resource Area 3: The Italian and Slovenian case stories present different piloting activities

07-November-2006

[ arenas for piloting , project planning , workplace learning ]
In a previous posting I have presented briefly my idea on five "Resource Areas" as the content areas for WLP Web (and as resources to be addressed selectively in the WLP Manual and in the WLP Course). This posting updates the prior blog entry on "Resource Area 3 - The case stories" with the Italian and Slovenian Case Stories.
In the previous posting I have presented my thoughts on the need to upgrade the status of the 'case stories' as a specific resource area that consists of simple power point presentations. The aim of these presentations is to make the different experiences and observations in diverse country contexts to some extent comparable with each other.

So far it has been difficult to proceed with this idea because there has been no mutual agreement to what extent the case stories should be worked into a common format an to what extent they should be left as free narratives.

On the other hand there has been the issue how to cover very dfferent aspects of piloting with one single 'case story'. In fact, our experience has shown us that we need to illustrate our developmental processes from different angles to make them more accessible for diacussion and transfer-promoting initiatives.

From this perspective the attached presentations provide mutually complementing angles to the Italian and Slovenian piloting activities:

  • Regarding the Italian case stories the first presentation focuses on the phases of the community-building initiative and on the specific process dynamics that have characterised the piloting. The second presentation focuses on the role of 'local' facilitation (provided by Training 2000) and on the role of external support (provided by the WLP project).
  • Regarding the Slovenian case stories the first presentation focuses on the 'micro-piloting' initiatives that have been taken in the VET college itself (the SCV) in order improve its capability to support workplace learning. The second presentation focuses on the initiatives that involve regional enterprises into active cooperation with the VET college (SCV).

I believe that these examples make it more transparent what can be achieved with a resource area that provides a critical mass of such case stories with a relative transparent structure. However, these examples also demonstrate the limits of presentations with a common format. Therefore, I would assume that the French and UK case stories could be best available as free narratives. In the German cases (under construction) there is a point in using the common format.

Pekka Kämäräinen

Pekka Kämäräinen; 07-November-2006 12:11:29 forum (0)

New contents for Resource Area 2: The "KLearn" tutorial tools

08-November-2006

[ arenas for piloting , knowledge sharing , WLP Web ]
n a previous posting I have presented briefly my idea on five "Resource Areas" as the content areas for WLP Web. This posting updates the prior blog entry on "Resource Area 2 - The KLearn tutorial tools'.
In my previous characterisation of the resource area that presents our work with the "KLearn" tools I have used the expression 'simulation cabin' to illustrate how the original idea ofdeveloping a light-weight learning management system has changed. At present the results of this work can best be made available as a tutorial area.

The attached documents are the first reworked "KLearn tools" that provide the basis orientation for the subsequent steps.

The next steps (and the related presentations) are dealing with
  • contextualisation of learning (support for individual learning; shaping the organisational preconditins)
  • positioning of learning arrangements (between traditional didactic concepts and open learning designs)
  • customisation of learning arrangements (in the light of local circumstances and related strategic choices).

The presentations are relatively open for different country contexts and therefore need some further interpretation when used as a basis for workshops or training measures. Yet, I believe that there is a need to complete the series (the groundwork has already been done in July and August).

Pekka Kämäräinen



Pekka Kämäräinen; 08-November-2006 12:41:03 forum (0)