The Open AE: Promote open source technologies in non-formal adult education project (OPEN-AE) aims to train e-facilitators, animators and trainer in digital competence centers and telecentre across Europe in using Free Libre Open Source Software
(FLOSS) technologies for inclusion. The project partners have conducted a desk research and focus groups with trainers to develop a curriculum that matches training needs of trainers with available open education resources.
Partners and trainers in met in Barcelona hosted by OPEN-AE partner and ALL DIGITAL member COLECTIC. The focus groups conducted by partners with trainers in the field provided a lot of insight into challenges when incorporating FLOSS options to trainings. The trainers and partners taking part in the OPEN-AE project primarily work with digital excluded people who are trying to gain skills into order to gain access to services or the labour market. Learners in such position are aware of the software and skills they need to learn; however, they may often tie these skills with a propriety software option. The challenge of the e-facilitator is answering the need of the learners with equivalent FLOSS options, while ensuring that the needs of the learner are still recognized. Bridging this gap, proved on of the biggest challenges which the training tried to answer. Answering learner’s needs proved to be a challenge.
The training then focused on strategies, resources and best practices to address the learner’s needs. In order to guide this, a large portion of the training focused on the philosophy behind FLOSS and free culture. Supporting the “movement” is not exclusively with the use of Free and open software, there is the philosophy with ensuring content and creations can be freely shared.
Over the next weeks we will share themes