OpenPROF project

According to Bruges Communique, there is increased competition of institutions and professionals, as well as rapid technological change. This challenges (C)VET institutions, adult education institutions, also higher education institutions, but through (C)Vet teachers and trainers, as well as adult educators who, willing to go step by step with innovations and modern and effective models of education, need to update their competences, especially in the context of rapid development of services of education, ICT, opening up education and sustainability models. Being professionals and specialists in designing learning curriculum, they also need to learn how latest innovations in education (such as Open Educational Resources (OER), innovative ICT tools, new curriculum design models) affect sustainability of their organization and learning services. Moreover, they are challenged with the shift in the target learner profile at their institutions. More and more adults are migrating through out the world and Europe and require learning services to be open, to be provided in international settings and available any time, anywhere and in their working places. Teachers and trainers, as well as adult educators need training and consultancy on how to meet these needs.

In the vision for 2020, (C)VET and adult education includes high quality, new modes of curriculum and learning services, courses which develop expertise for higher level qualification characterized by innovation and excellence. (C)VET and adult education should empower people to acquire knowledge, skills and competences at work place. Moreover, they require that curriculum is not purely occupational, but oriented to broader – key competences – that are important to succeed in life, to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Training and education should be provided to target learners in most convenient places, including work – based learning. ICT skills are critical in terms of getting and keeping a job and managing life. It is inevitable to continue gaining skills at work – based environment.

Designing innovative and sustainable curriculum is a new challenge for the majority of teachers, trainers and adult educators. Professionals supporting innovative services at institutions contribute substantially to developing professional identify, self-esteem, and self-potential. Online learning and open educational resources meet these needs and suggests solutions for innovative, quality work – based learning curriculum designing.

The project addresses key innovations in training of teachers and trainers, as well as adult educators: open educational resource and open curriculum development and licensing, open collaboration, as well as designing curriculum for diverse target groups including the mode of work – based learning. The project aim is to foster open and international professional collaboration for innovation by training them to openly collaborate in the development of online innovative curriculum designing using open educational resources. The requirements raised in this project for the innovation of curriculum will allow to create learning services suitable for diverse learners and target groups, including work – based learning.