Building a future for new farmers in ecological farming through vocational training

Partners

Instituto Politécnico de Viseu (Portugal)Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge

Association for Hungarian Organic Farming (Hungary)Non-profit, public benefit organization – objective :improve organic farming and environmental protection, dissemination of healthy nutrition

BIOCERT (Italy)Scientific and technical non-profit association – mission: contribute to the eco-sustainable development through training, planning and research

EOSA -Estrategia y Organización S. A. (Spain)Consulting organization specialized in the areas of Strategy and Organization in several areas

Mustafa Kemal University (Turkey)Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge

SUA -Slovak University of Agriculture (Slovakia) Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge

SRUC -Scotland’s Rural College (United Kingdom)Institution of Higher Education – mission: create and disseminate knowledge

Objective

Organize learning opportunities on ecological farming • improve agriculture in a global context • create new opportunities for a new educational target group

(people with no formal education in agriculture who want to venture in ecological farming).

The project will promote creativity and innovation in ecological farming, through relevant and innovative mobile-learning contents, and hence will improve the employment and people’s capacities in the field of ecological farming.

m-learning or "mobile learning“ - learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices (Crompton, 2013)

M-learning focuses on the mobility of the learner. With the use of mobile devices, learners can learn anywhere and at any time. Furthermore, it also brings strong portability by replacing books and notes with small RAMs, filled with tailored learning contents.

M-learning technologies include handheld computers, MP3 players, notebooks, mobile phones and tablets.

There is also a new direction in m-learning that uses smartphone with special software such as AHG Cloud Note, for field use.

M-learning, like other forms of e-learning, is also collaborative. Sharing is almost instantaneous among everyone using the same content, which leads to the reception of instant feedback and tips.

Target Group

people with no formal education in agriculture, with at least a secondary degree, who want to start an activity in agriculture and to achieve economic success using ecological farming methods.

Work packagesSUA - Slovak University of Agriculture Selection and transfer of existing innovative learning practices in ecological farming to the new contexts and the specific target group

Association for Hungarian Organic Farming Development of a m-learning course curriculum

Instituto Politécnico de Viseu Testing of m-learning modules in the new context

BIOCERT Dissemination and networking of the project

EOSA E-book of good practices in ecological farming

Mustafa Kemal University A report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities for the certification of the m-learning qualification

SRUC - Scotland’s Rural CollegeCreation of a database of institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming

Timetable

febr

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mar

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neju

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gust

sept

embe

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tobe

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dece

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febr

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mar

sap

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gust

sept

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tobe

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dece

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Task Nº Task Denomination Package leader 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1 Initial conferencePolythecnic Institute of Viseu - PT

2Selection and transfer of innovative learning pratices in ecological farming to the new contexts and the specifi c target group

Slovak Univers i ty of Agriculture in Nitra - SK

3 Testing of m-learning modules in the new contextPolythecnic Institute of Viseu - PT

4 Development of a m-learning course curriculum

Association for Hungarian Organic Farming - HU

5 E-book of good practices in ecological farmingEstrategia y Organización S. A. - ES

6 Dissemination and networking of the project Biocert - IT

7 Creation of a database of institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming SRUC - UK

8 A report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities for the certifi cation of the m-learning qual ifi cation

Mustafa kemal Univers i ty - TR

9 Final conferencePolythecnic Institute of Viseu - PT

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9

1 1

Year 1 Year 22014

V10

2015 2016

janu

ary

janu

ary

janu

ary

1

1 1 Launch conference

2 Project newsletter

3 Package of innovative learning pratices in ecological 2

4 Modules for the m-learning course and platform

5 Experimental m-learning short course3

6 Feedback report on the experimental m-learning

4 7 m-learning course curriculum

5 8 E-book

9 Web site6

10 Project networking operated through the web site7

11 Interactive webpage-based forum8

12 Data base of institutions and trainers on ecological

13 Report/proposal for the certification of m-learning 9

14 Final conference

15 External evaluation

Final conference PT)

A report/proposal to LLP and the EU authorities for the certification of m-learning qualification (TR)

Selection and transfer of innovative learning pratices in ecological farming to the new contexts and the specific target group (SK)

Testing of m-learning modules in the new context (PT)

Development of a m-learning course curriculum (HU)

E-guide of good practices in ecological farming (ES)

Dissemination and networking of the project (IT)

Creation of a database of institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming (UK)

WORK PACKAGES RESULTS

Inicial conference (PT)Inicial conference (PT)

Task 1: Initial conference (PT)

1. Familiarize partners with the project aims, work packages, activities and expected results.

2. Compare current local systems used by partner schools for managing the workplace teaching of skills, the recording of experience/competence and monitoring student progress

3. Explore partners concepts of support and tuition for work-based students (coaching)

4. Facilitate discussion with partners on existing training packages in ecological farming and other sustainable production agricultural systems (ECOLOGICA, COMPASS, etc) and how these might be adapted/implemented, taking into account the target group and context.

5. Make arrangements for the field tests of the m-learning module(s).6. Familiarize partners with project administration, including financial

reporting

Leonardo da Vinci

2013-1-PT1-LEO05-15535 ECONewFARMERs Building a future for new farmers in ecological farming through

vocational training

Initial Conference 07 february 2014

Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Portugal

Innovative Learning Systems in Ecological farming Friday, 07 february

9.30 – 12.00 – Initial conference - Opening session – Pedro Rodrigues (Vice-Presidente do Instituto Politécnico de

Viseu) - ECONewFARMERs – Building a future for new farmers in ecological farming

through vocational training Cristina A. Costa (Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu) - Presentation of experiences in innovative learning systems in different contexts

Mobile learning in agriculture - Green Plant Protection experience - Peter Toth (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra)

ESAV e projecto COMPASS - Helena Esteves Correia e Paula Correia (Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu)

Prácticas de aprendizaje innovadoras en agricultura ecológica. Una perspectiva desde España- LuisTouriño Guerra (EOSA)

Technical Background - Laszlo Radics (Association for Hungarian Organic Farming) and Salvatori Basile (BIOCERT)

To be part of an European project Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation– João Mesquita (Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu)

12.30 – 14.00 – Lunch at Agrarian School of Viseu

14.00 – 17.00

- Questionnaires: purpose and application as a means to guide the training offer – Raquel Guiné (Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu)

- Discussion of participants about m-learning opportunities, experiences and needs

Purpose and application as a means to guide the training offer

Questionnaire:

The aim of this questionnaire to know the experiences of previous training

define a set of guidelines:ThemesFunctioningEvaluation, …

for the the preparation of new contexts of training in ecological farming, in particular in the form of m-learning (mobile-learning).

Task 2: Selection and transfer of existing innovative learning practices in ecological farming to the new contexts and the specific target group (SK)

1. Analysis and selection of the best and innovative training and professional practices for ecological farming, such as COMPASS, ECOLOGICA and GPP projects and others available in Europe and other countries,

2. Adaptation of the selected packages for vocational training considering the needs of the target group (young unemployed people without any knowledge in agriculture or with an academic degree in other scientific area).

3. Collect information and describe the target group and its technical and practical needs for a professional activity in ecological farming.

Task 3: Testing of m-learning modules in the new context (PT)

1. To pilot the delivery of m-training modules, in practical courses, with a cohort of students/unemployed people organized by each partner.

2. To collect evaluation feedback from all the stakeholders (students, teachers, technical professionals) that will inform and help the final adaptation of the m-learning modules, learning and implementation processes.

3. To identify and establish a list of skills obtained for the m-earning modules.

4. To identify the best procedures for the coaching role.

Task 4: Development of a m-learning course curriculum (HU)

1. Present a clear and concise m-learning course curriculum considering ecological farming and the needs of the target group.

2. Deliver the m-training modules for the ecological farming m-learning curriculum.

3. Deliver a package of innovative learning materials in ecological farming for coaches and teachers.

Task 5: E-book of good practices in ecological farming (ES)

1. To disseminate technical information in ecological farming for new farmers.

2. To offer technical support and knowledge in ecological farmings on a permanent mobile context.

3. To preserve European languages and cultures, in order to improve communication among the different stakeholders and target groups.

Task 6: Dissemination and networking of the project (IT)

1. To develop and maintain the ECOnewFARMERS website2. To provide an interactive forum for trainers, students or general

public.3. To support all the project networking.4. To ensure a sustained dissemination throughout the projects and

across the target group and general public, at national and international levels.

5. To produce and disseminate the project newsletter. 6. To host the data base of institutions and trainers on ecological

farming

Task 7: Creation of a database of institutions and trainers focus in ecological farming (UK)

1. To gather information of institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming.

2. To promote the establishment of collaboration among institutions and trainers focused in ecological farming

3. To support the organization and implementation of further learning action in ecological farming.

4. To support project results dissemination.

Task 8: A report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities for the m-learning farm qualification certification (TR)

1. To collect feedback from partners and stakeholders on the appropriateness of m-learning on ecological farming skills.

2. To evaluate feedback and consider in terms of a revised skill list for ecological farming practice.

3. To translate skills list into each national language.4. To establish a m-learning in ecological farming farm qualification.

Task 9: Final conference (PT)

1. To present and discuss project results between partners and other interested stakeholders.

2. To disseminate the m-learning curriculum in ecological farming.3. To disseminate the E-book of good practices in ecological farming4. To launch future m-learning in ecological farming courses among

partners and other interested stakeholders.5. To present the m-learning in ecological farming farm qualification.

Visits calendar proposal Description Loc

alData

2014V1 Inicial conference and kick off meeting All partners PT february 6/7V2 m-learning modules for testing All partners HU april 10/11V3 Web site for the project IT and PT IT june 26/27V4 Test experimental m-learning modules PT and HU SK september 25/26V5 Test experimental m-learning modules PT and HU TR november 27/28 2015V6 m-learning course curriculum All partners IT January 22/2

3

V7 E-book of good practices All partners ES april 9/10V8 Database of institutions and trainers All partners GB june 25/2

6

V9 Report/ proposal to LLP and the EU authorities and E-book of good practices meeting

All partners SK september 24/25

V10 Final conference All partners PT december 10/11

ECONewFARMERS Logos proposals

Newsletter proposal

Other issues

- Feedback valuation

- Teams and contacts

- ADAM, the project and product portal for Leonardo da Vinci . http://www.adam-europe.eu/adam/homepageView.htm#.UvLOe_l_te8