"Where training meets technology" - ScoutingLinks e-Learning project

where training meets technology

Technology is part of our everyday lives and has proven to be providing cost effective methods of communication. Today’s Economy views training as a competitive advantage and the biggest challenge faced by organisations is to understand how to use the so-called “new media� to strengthen their strategies and improve the delivery of services to customers.

This is a non-technical document aiming to provide a strategic overview on why to implement e-Learning in a scout association.

Moreover, explores the merits of e-Learning as a delivery method in the mix of training provision. It targets those who, at the national level, wish to explore the benefits of using e-Learning to better support, train, and retain adult resources, envisaging an integrated implementation of the Adults in Scouting policy.

The European Scout Region is keen to hear from associations that are exploring this topic. For more information please contact the e-Learning Project Team, elearning@scout.org or the European Regional Office.

Contents 2

Introduction

7 What is e-learning?

8 The pedagogical framework 10 Benefits and potential The benefits for the individual The benefits for the Scout Association 12 Strategic planning Context Human Resources Processes Quality and evaluation Costs Timing 18 Implementation 20 More information 22 References

Introduction

58005 5375

European Scout Region membership report...

The Scout Association United Kingdom

Participants Courses

1231 60

Modules

Junák – svaz skautů a skautek ČR Czech Republic

Wood Badge Certs These four examples of associations represent different training approaches and different volunteering national contexts.

434 30 1929 74 Overall, NSOs dedicate a considerable amount of resources to the training and support of their adult volunteers.

In order to grow and improve the quality of Scouting, there is a need for associations to ensure that the correct mechanisms to support the personal development of adults, who undertake specific roles and volunteer their time, are in place.

Corpo Nacional de Escutas Portugal

4

Corpo Nazionale Giovani Esploratori Italiani Italy

Introduction

What is e-learning?

Many adults leave Scouting having little training to help them in their role or are put off by training activities that consume a considerable amount of their spare time, or that cover topics that are also dealt with in the place of work not considering the learning opportunities in their professional environments.

In the context of adult volunteers training e-learning shall be considered as a pedagogically rooted, open and flexible method for delivering training, enabled through the use of Information and Communication Technologies, to facilitate learning and knowledge transfer.

In many cases, the trainers and resources are not available when needed. The availability as well as the proximity of human and technical resources is real hurdle for adults who are looking for training opportunities.

Increasingly, Scout Organisations are exploring and developing new ways of delivering training that can be successfully integrated in the changing trends in volunteering, that takes into account the organisational context, and which can provide an answer to adult volunteers needs, raising their satisfaction and consequently the length of their commitment to the Movement.

E-Learning should be seen as one of the methods to support that strategy, based on a training approach that combines the pedagogical premise of youth organisations and is coherent with different models of volunteering.

Organisational policies and practices

Department guidelines and strategies

6

Training & support to personal development

a pedagogically rooted, open and flexible method for delivering training

Any individual should be able to undertake it remotely, at a time and in a location of their choosing.

Ultimately, e-Learning will also contribute to the continuous transformation of learning and “teaching� processes and practices, directly impacting on the training system of the Scout Association.

It is important to note that e-Learning does not mean that all the training that an individual requires needs to be delivered in this way. Rather, e-Learning is a vehicle to extend and supplement face-to-face learning, usually referred as blended learning, and it should be used only when it serves the training objectives in question and suits the context of the delivery situation.

7

PEDAGOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF E-LEARNING

We offer a library of supporting materials to understand the topic in the depth. After a live part of the course, participants should share the experience from practical situations.

For e-Learning to be effective for training and learning and meet, both trainers and trainees, it must be rooted in a strong theoretical and pedagogical framework.

No matter where do we start from, when preparing effective elearning, three things need to be taken into account: pedagogical principles to define the way participants are going to learn, delivery strategies to set and structure the learning path and technological possibilities to respect the restrictions of technical solution.

Apart from understanding how adults learn it is also essential to expand our thinking to which delivery strategies can be used to foster their learning. Instructional strategies are the techniques, methods, or series of milestones, which instructors or instructional systems do to engage the learner and facilitate learning activities, aiming at obtaining a specific goal.

Pedagogical approaches are based on broad principles through which theory is applied to learning and teaching practice. They provide the theoretical support to the different instructional strategies that can be used to design learning activities.

“Start by looking at the theories about how we learn...“

PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES: Theoretical Principles

DELIVERY STRATEGIES: Structure The Learning Path

“Start by thinking on the ways how content can be served to participants...“

Participants can share in forums and we need to have a possibility to save the interesting experience to the portfolio of each participant.

pedagogical framework of e-learning TECHNOLOGICAL POSSIBILITIES: e-Learning Environment Tools

Lets use flip learning: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ flip_teaching because our participants need to gain skills and use them daily.

Practicing will be crucial for them.

8

Different technological systems provides different tools that enhance learning, teaching, and assessment. There can be a great range in variety of tools, from materials and activities to network and communication systems that support learning.

“Start by thinking about the tools that support participants learning path in Also we want different scenarios...“

to use assessment based on the discussions – so we need to have a possibility to earn badge for posted experience and the second one for the posts that gain the most likes from others.

9

benefits and potential The benefits to be gained from using e-learning delivery methods as part of your training system are numerous and they relate to both the individual and the association.

The benefits for the individual

The benefits for the Scout Association

Eliminates some space and time constraints in the learning process

Increases training productivity

Develops collective thinking, socialisation and communication competencies.

Enables the learner to undertake a cooperative, collaborative, and individual learning activities Transfer of learning acquired to situations outside of Scouting.

Development of administration and training management procedures Increases satisfaction of all participants in training process Opportunity to promote e-learning as a vehicle for continuous personal development Possible reduction of overall training costs

Improves the quality of the delivery in their role

Provides equal access to training opportunities regardless the geographical location and enables mentoring and support processes from a distance

Focus on the measurement of learning progress and in a progressive pedagogy

Better understanding of training gaps and needs as people articulate support requests

Accommodates distinct learning styles

Competitive edge over other voluntary organizations that continue to provide training using only traditional methods.

Less expensive

Reduced learning stress and raises security and confidence Raised confidence in resources availability Increased training productivity Increased interaction between trainer and trainee

Opportunity to receive feedback on quality of resource material Allows the association to target the physical use of trainers on courses that demand physical attendance Contributes to the accreditation and recognition of Learning Increases retention of adults Ensures consistency and availability of resources

10

11

strategic planning To strategically approach e-Learning and correctly plan its implementation it is essential to know the “big picture” and understand how e-Learning will impact the different organisational dimensions.

Please, reflect on:

To fully take on board e-Learning means to manage change processes in the different levels of the organisation as well as to change mind-sets to a different approach to training and overall, to the Adult Volunteer lifecycle.

Strategy

Culture

Part of the overall organisational strategy

Supporting learning and innovation

Training and AR

Quality assurance

departments buy-in

leadership

resources

Sustained commitment

Human and financial

Strategy and policy development

Capacity building

If your association is considering developing e-learning tools as part of your approach to the delivery of adult volunteers training, you’re about to take the first of a number of steps.

Acknowledging the context and how will the association cope with and react to a number of changes will enable more effective decision-making processes and achieve a widespread buy-in and growth of the initiative.

12

Have you considered the benefits that e-learning can have on training?

Can you engage your members on the adoption of e-learning through active promotion?

Can you support your members exploring the benefits of training through e-learning?

Do you have the necessary resources to support the implementation of e-learning?

promotion /marketing

Which areas within your association will be impacted by e-learning?

Have you identified the opportunities within your existing training programme that can be developed further through e-learning?

Do you have a strategy to promote e-learning and it’s benefits among your members?

training

Do you understand the impact that e-learning will have on your trainers?

sustainability

Is your association prepared to support the trainers in the development and implementation of training?

Have you considered what it takes to make e-learning sustainable within your association long-term strategy?

Are you willing to provide time and energy to developing e-learning?

Are you prepared to make a mid/ long-term commitment to e-learning to ensure its sustainability?

This initial analysis addresses different layers of the organisation which will be impacted in an e-Learning implementation process. By dedicating some thinking to each of them, Scout Associations will realise how suitable e-Learning is and how prepared they are to adopt and implement it as part of the organisational strategy.

13

strategic planning Context Different departments and teams need to be involved in the development and implementation of e-Learning in order to make use of all the accumulated “know how” (i.e. IT, Communication, Finances) and take advantage of existing resources.

Whenever that’s part of the organisation strategy, management and administration support tools can even be embedded in the learning system infrastructure, this way optimizing the investment made.

The dissemination of the strategic plan throughout the organisation will increase the buy-in and engagement of the different structures; moreover it will contribute to the development and the implementation of e-Learning policies.

Human Resources Adult Volunteers Delivering training through e-Learning in Scouting is not the same as in other organisations. Understanding learners training needs and user requirements is essential to ensure that e-Learning is adapted to their profiles and is able to properly support them with personalised learning paths.

Apart from this training approach, e-Learning also needs to be understood as an expansion tool, building capacity in the organisation and making it more competitive in the non-formal education and training market.

Staff & Management E-Learning impact can be extended to staff and management structures. Meaning it should be used as well within the scope of staff personal development and as a tool to improve management processes throughout the Scout Association structure.

14

Processes The specificities of content as well as the learners needs, will influence the percentage of use of e-Learning and how and when it will be mixed and combined with traditional training, the so-called blended learning (b-Learning).

It is also necessary to identify which role will e-Learning have in the organisation in promoting the idea of a “learning continuum”, raising awareness among adult volunteers for their personal development and strengthening the implementation of lifelong learning practices.

Quality and evaluation The measures adopted in the e-Learning field have been the same as the ones generally adopted in the field of training and education (i.e. Kirkpatrick’s 4-level model; ROI of Phillips). In the same way, the systems commonly used to assess quality (i.e. IFQM, ISO) usually provide the metrics to measure the delivery of training through e-Learning.

From the organisational perspective the discussion on quality around e-Learning has to take into account the product of e-Learning, likewise courses, tools, delivery methods, but mainly what is usually considered its “fitness to purpose”, the overall user satisfaction, its adherence to guidelines and policies.

This means that to build greater capacity for evaluation within the organisation it is essential to have a broader understanding of quality, focused in processes rather than in the product, and define an evaluation model that enables to assess its implementation but also to provide continuous monitoring as well as to contribute to its development.

15

strategic planning Costs Although it should not override the pedagogical debate, the financial debate on the use of e-Learning in Scouting is very important. In fact, as funding is usually the main reason for organisations not to undertake e-Learning it is necessary to provide arguments that justify the adoption of online training schemes.

The return on investment in e-Learning is defined by the ratio between the expected programme benefits and the programme costs.

This equation highlights the fact that this return should not be strictly understood in terms of cost savings but mainly a return of value in form of educational outcomes.

Apart from the costs related to the management of change it is necessary to consider that there are fixed and variable costs with e-Learning for the organisation and to the individuals.

Although the e-Learning costs are higher in the initial phases, after the implementation of the system they tend to be residual when compared to the raising costs of the Traditional Learning.

As an example this means that the organisation doesn’t needs to bear continuous costs related to trainers, neither the individuals need to take on the time and costs burden in their personal lives.

16

organisation

Traditional Learning

E-Learning

Equipments (training room; technical equipment)

Physical infrastructures (i.e. server; hosting service; resource-centre)

Content development (session design and delivery)

Online platform (i.e. management system; virtual learning environment; integration with other tools)

Trainers (resources; salaries and/or time) Other delivery costs

Tutor (training)

Time individual

Content development (i.e. authoring tool; design; session design)

Web access hotspot

Travelling and accommodation

Timing Due to the continuous renewal in ICT and Education, the adoption and initial implementation of e-Learning has to be based on a short-term strategic planning. An average of 2 years is the foreseen time span for the adoption and initial steps on the implementation of e-Learning in a midsize Scout Association.

Obviously, the timing and lifespan for implementation depend on the previously mentioned areas. A possible implementation plan may clarify this‌

17

implementation If you believe that your association would benefit from looking at e-learning as a delivery method, there are many ways in which you can start.

there are many ways in which you can start

It is important to stress again that the educational content still has to be relevant - it’s no use just placing a training manual on a website and hoping people to read it.

Appealing imagery and interaction on screen play a crucial role - whenever they are developed and adopted to support pedagogical processes; recently developed learning tools and management systems provide and up-to-date image of your training and organisation (as long as they are suitable to both learners and trainers).

And, last but not least, by the end it will be the support provided to learners and trainers that will determine how effective and successful you Scout Association adventure on the world of e-Learning will be.

Example of an implementation plan:

define a vision

assess current practice

This is all great. At this point you are probably asking how to start. Three concrete steps will surely help you:

analyse and set priorities

evaluation review and management

complete implementation plan

Check the training content and support available Visit scoutinglinks.net and contact the team

develop key strategies Set and adjust a plan for the implementation of e-Learning

18

it infrastructure and technical support

19

more information There are a number of places that you can look for support: Inside Scouting Scouting Links has born as the result of a Europeanwide project aiming at developing e-Learning as a complementary delivery method to support adult training provision.

Find more information and join-in at www. scoutinglinks.net

“Scouting 3.0 – developing e-Learning for youth organisations” run between February 2013 and July 2014 and aimed at developing an e-Learning system to support content delivery and a number of training modules to be shared among National Scout Organisations.

Project coordination was assured by the European Regional Office and 7 European NSOs partnered on the project.

The financial support was provided by the Youth in Action Programme – Subaction 4.4 – Youth Support Systems – projects encouraging innovation and quality.

Several National Scout Associations are already delivering training to their members using a number of different tools and processes and having different focus: PPO – Austria CNGEI – Italy Junák – Czech Republic The Scout Association – United Kingdom (- developed a collection of portable media providing resources to support the training scheme contents.)

ICT and web teams The ICT roundtable is an European Scout Region event where experts from this area come together with the purpose of sharing and learning from the different approaches, methods, and tools explored in Scout Associations.

Outside Scouting Business companies Universities Non-governmental organisations Formal and informal networks

The European Scout Region and the Scouting Links project team is looking forward to hearing from associations that are keen to explore the use of e-learning further. More information at elearning@scout.org

10

21

References J.D. Fletcher (Multimedia Review, Spring 1991, pp.33-42).

Dabbagh, N. (2005). Pedagogical models for e-Learning: A theory-based design framework.

International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 1 (1), 25-44.

Deepwell, F. (2007). Embedding Quality in e-Learning Implementation through Evaluation.

Educational Technology &Society, 10 (2), 34-43.

Europa, Lisbon Strategy European Commission, 2008, “The use of ICT to support innovation and lifelong learning for all – A report on progress”, White paper Avoiding E-learning failure Barriers to growth in the use of learning technology in the voluntary sector, White Paper What Return on Investment does e-Learning provide?

Bartley, S. J. & Golek, J. H. (2004). Evaluating the Cost Effectiveness of Online and Face-to-Face Instruction. Educational Technology and Society, 7 (4), 167-175.

The Flipped Classroom: The Full Picture, (2012)

by Jackie Gerstein. Demeuse (2006)

22

23

Š World Scout Bureau European Regional Office Inc. May 2014 World Scout Bureau European Regional Office P.O. Box 327, Rue Henri-ChristinÊ 5 CH - 1211 Geneva 4 Switzerland Tel: +41 22 705 11 00 europe@scout.org scout.org/europe Reproduction is authorized to National Scout Organizations and Associations which are members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Credit for the source must be given. contributors This is the result of the common effort of the planning teams and participants of the European Agoras 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. typeface All Multicolore rights are owned and retained

by Svetoslav Simov / Fontfabric - fontfabric.com

24

25

iScout