using the tips platform to train greek cultural mediators

Konstantina N. Polymeropoulou, postgraduate student in Cultural Organizations ManagementAchilles D. Kameas, Assistant ProfessorHellenic Open University

Using the TIPS platform to train Greek cultural mediators

SALL Conference, Patras

IntroductionIn the frame of the "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" (year 2008), the cultural mediators are indicated as the most important players in facilitating the adaptation and adoption of immigrants by the hosting society.

*SALL Conference, Patras


Cultural mediatorsCultural mediators are involved in all services for immigrants, refugees and human traffic victims. These include welcoming services, as well as education, health, insurance, job seeking, and other services. Cultural mediators require valuable, updated training especially applicable in everyday work-related activities.*SALL Conference, Patras


Role and traits of cultural mediatorsThey act as facilitators aiming to enhance the communication and to establish a common understanding between the immigrants / refugees and the public bodies of the hosting countryThey have a significant position and can be helpful in many important fields such as health, education, employment, legal rights etc They support foreign citizens and their families, providing them with information and professional consultancy in order to adapt better and even become integrated in the hosting country. They have communication skills and are very good listenersThey have knowledge both of the native and the host countries (culture, laws, traditions)*SALL Conference, Patras


Educating cultural mediators: need for a non traditional approach The need to develop a non - traditional approach to enhancing cultural mediators education has risen because of the requirement to constantly provide information and support to the immigrants, overcoming constraints of time and space.*SALL Conference, Patras


The TIPS projectCo-financed by the EU Leonardo da Vinci ProgrammeDuration: 2 years , from 01/11/2007 to 31/10/2009Developed a blended T-learning methodology by integrating a triple technology platform consisting of e-learning (Internet), M-learning (PDA & Smartphones) and TV-learning (IPTV)Five countries participated in the project (Italy, Greece, France, Austria and Poland)Outcome: training course



PartnersConsorzio FOR.COM, ITALY www.forcom.it

Auxilium, AUSTRIA www.auxilium.co.at

IRIV, FRANCE www.iriv.net

Hellenic Open University, GREECE www.eap.gr

Gruppo Pragma, ITALY www.gruppopragma.it

Tischner European University, POLAND www.wse.krakow.pl



Aims of the TIPS projectTo develop and test an online training courseTo use the T-learning methodology, addressing potential cultural mediators professional cultural mediators social workers To advance their skills and capabilities required for cooperating with immigrants*SALL Conference, Patras


The T-Learning methodologyThe TIPS system combines three different educational platforms, in order to maximize the benefits of distance learning tools:

the e-learning platform,the M-learning platform andthe IPTV-learning platform.*SALL Conference, Patras


The e-learning platformview multimedia training content attend virtual classroomsparticipate in a discussion foruminteract with other students and/or the tutorsdownload the didactic material exchange information and knowledgesee in a menu the available services such as communication tools, the training agenda, announcements, documents, links and access to the e-course contents

www.forcom.it/tipsproject*SALL Conference, Patras


The M-learning platformsupports a learning-by doing approach integrated with learning in the workplaceaccess to the training course contents anytime anywhere through a mobile phone or PDAdifferent didactic materialcommunication tools, such as the TIPS phrasebookhttp://77.238.3.46/claroing/mobile/*SALL Conference, Patras


The IPTV-learning platformThe IPTV-learning platform needs: a TV seta set top box (with a remote control and a keyboard)ADSL Internet connection77.238.3.46/claroing/IPTV*SALL Conference, Patras


The TIPS CourseThe TIPS training Course titled Practicing and Enhancing Cultural Mediation in a Pluralistic Europe officially started on March 2009 ended on August 2009. The TIPS training Course appealed not only to the people who were already working as professional cultural mediators and require up-to-date training, but also to those prospective cultural mediators, who needed to enhance their knowledge and skills.*SALL Conference, Patras


Modules

Module I: Introduction to the TIPS courseModule II: Cultural Mediation: A Professional ProfileModule III: The Psychology of Cultural MediationModule IV: National and European LegislationModule V: Cultural Mediation: Fields of Application



Additional learning contentTIPS glossary

TIPS phrasebook

multimedia objects composed of images, audio and text

an e-book that provides information about several migrant countries, cultures and traditions*SALL Conference, Patras


The learning ObjectsSALL Conference, Patras*Mobile learning pillsIPTV videos & quizzesA/V lessonsSlidesLecture notesQuizzes


The TIPS trainingA specific selection process of the participants was realized in every participating country100 participants from all the partner countriesThe selected course participants were given a training schedule describing the sequence of study of the five course modules.They attended one Virtual Classroom from a distance using the TIPS e-learning platformCourse students could log on the e-learning platform from their own premises and on the three platforms from one of the TIPS Centres*SALL Conference, Patras


The Greek Class (1)More than 50 people were interested in participating in the TIPS courseFinally 25 of them were selected and enrolled 21 people from all around Greece 1 from Albania 1 from Romania 2 from Lebanon*SALL Conference, Patras


The Greek Class (2)3TIPS Centres were set up in 3 cities in the countryPatras, Athens and RethimnoEach TIPS Centre offeredIPTV,a mobile phone for the m-learning platform andPCs with ADSL Internet connection*SALL Conference, Patras


Results

After the realization of the course, Hellenic Open University issued seventeen (17) certificates of attendance to the Greek class who completed at least a minimum of 30% of the Learning Objects. The 68% of the Greek Class managed to use the triple platform in a satisfactory level. Most of them have never used the mobile telephone and television for educational purposes. *SALL Conference, Patras


Evaluation

evaluation questionnaires interviews roundtable discussions *SALL Conference, Patras


ConclusionThe T-learning methodology that was applied in the TIPS project has enhanced the combination of theory and practice, synchronous and asynchronous, autonomous and collaborative learning. It realized a pilot training Course at a European level, combining three novel an powerful technologies: Internet, mobile phones and IPTV. Cultural Mediators will always need to improve their capabilities and competences*SALL Conference, Patras


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using the tips platform to train greek cultural mediators

Documents

patrassall conference

cultural mediators education

elearning platform

elearning internet

tips platform

blended tlearning methodology

immigrants refugees

learning pda smartphones