About project

The project contributes to achieve Europe 2020 benchmarks: to decrease number of low-skilled adults in mathematical skills up to 15%, to increase employment rate by 75%; to raise participation of adults in lifelong learning by 15%.

OECD’s PISA study (2012) shows that low achievers in maths in EU-28 is 22% and the number varies significantly across countries: 15% in Poland, 19% in Austria, 23% in Italy, 26% in Lithuania, and 42% in Cyprus.

According to the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), conducted in 2014-2015, mostly all EU-28 countries have a big demand on increasing the low levels of adults’ skills at problem-solving in technology-rich environments: LT-45%, PL-40%, CY-38%, AT-25%, IT-45%.

According to Eurostat (2016) 35.5 % of the 25–54 year-old non-EU-born population has attained only pre-primary, primary or lower secondary education.

Education plays a crucial role in helping low-skilled migrants and refugees settle in new countries. Thus, the project has two aims:

  • To supply high quality ICT-based learning opportunities for improving basic mathematical skills of low-skilled adults, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (O1 and O2);
  • To increase awareness within the local communities about the importance of educational help for low-skilled adults, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (O3).

The objectives are:

  1. To improve the integration of low-skills adults through developing their mathematic skills by using problem-solving ICT-based approach;
  2. To monitor, assess and collect learners’ achievements in order to facilitate the validation of obtained basis skills;
  3. To extend and develop educators’ competences needed for effective training of the low-skilled;
  4. To increase engagement of local communities to foster inclusion and integration of low-skilled adults through education and learning.

Project’s target groups:

  • Low-skilled adults, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants: 80 will be involved in piloting;
  • Adult educators/facilitators engaged in mathematical skills training of the low-skilled: 17 will be trained within the learning activity and 80 will be involved to the multiplying events;
  • Adult educators/practitioners working in the field of community education: 80 will be involved in piloting.

Three intellectual outputs will be produced:
O1 - Training course for developing of mathematics skills ‘M-Easy’;
O2 - Toolkit for adult educators “Developing competences needed for effective running of ‘M-Easy’ training course”;
O3 - Training material for local communities’ workshop “Success of the inclusion and integration of low skilled adults through education”.

The general methodology to all 3 intellectual outputs is based on Open Educational Resources in order to promote the open access to developed educational tools. However, each outcome is based on the specific to this outcome methodology. The methodology of training course ‘M-Easy’ for low-skilled adults, including refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, is based on open and innovative digital era Mobile applications approach using problem-oriented experiential learning, blended learning and reverse training. The Toolkit for adult educators is a set of on-line methodical materials to ensure effective facilitation of ‘M-Easy’ training course for the low-skilled. The methodology is based on self-directed e-learning as Toolkit will be openly accessible within virtual environment. Training materials for adult educators-practitioners on how to run local communities’ workshop on creating awareness of importance of education system for inclusion and integration of the low-skilled, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants based on reversed training methodology using OERs (digital case studies). These training materials will also present the developed within the project ‘M-Easy’ training course in order to give the possibility to citizens to be active and provide this information within their local communities.

Expected impact on the low-skilled, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants will be their better integration into the labour market and society through education and improving the level of their mathematical skills for at least on 40%.

O1 - Training course for developing of mathematics skills ‘M-Easy’ will comprise:
O1-A2 e-Directory (Collection) of the Existing Mobile Apps (games) related to basic mathematical skills as the first step to develop the math skills;
O1-A3 Learner’s Support Corner with possibility to access a Facilitator to ask questions, to have a feedback and active support, to present and discuss personal achievements during training and to get advice for validation of skills and competences;
O1-A4 Assessment and Testing Area with pre-testing and final testing to assess personal skills in mathematics before and after the training course in order to account the impact (planned is 40% of increasing of the level of math skills);
O1-A6 Learner’s Guide – both a printable (pdf) and online versions with short video introductions and step-by step explanations how to manage learning via virtual learning environment and mobile applications;
Mobile part (O1-A5, A7) will consist of the developed Mobile Applications (Apps) oriented to further develop the mathematical skills like through the exercises of the problem solving like managing money-pocket, managing of the home by renting, maintenance and renovation of the home; currency and bank operations; health issues, time management etc. Around 20 Mobile Apps will be developed.

O2 - Toolkit for adult educators: “Developing competences needed for effective running of ‘M-Easy’ training course” has the main aim - to ensure the effective facilitation of the ‘M-Easy’ training course by adult educators. The Toolkit for adult educators is a set of on-line methodical materials and consists of five interconnected on-line learning tools:
O2 – A1 Open and innovative digital era Mobile applications (Apps) methodology for better outreach of the low-skilled learners;
O2 – A2 Lessons plan for training course ‘M-Easy’;
O2 – A3 Guide on how to work with problem-solving Mobile Apps on developing mathematical skills;
O2 – A4 Assessment and monitoring tools to facilitate validation process of the obtained within ‘M-Easy’ training course skills and competences.

O3- Educational workshop for Local Communities "Success of the integration of low-skilled adults through education"
The aim is to develop the set of specialised on-line educational materials and handouts for adult educators-practitioners, for using freely and openly while organising educational workshops within local communities.
This intellectual output O3 corresponds to the project objective: to develop adult educators’ civic competences, particularly in training of local communities in order to engage them into fostering inclusion and integration of low-skilled adults through life-long learning.

The training material for the workshop will consist of:
O3 – A1 Collection of digital case studies with success stories of low-skilled adults, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants on integration via education;
O3 – A2 e-Guide for workshop “Success of the integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants through education”.