Face-to-face event (30.08.21) - trainers
On the 30th of August, Innovation Frontiers organized a face-to-face multiplier event for the project App Hop. 32 teachers of a VET institution took part and learned about the project Intellectual Outputs and the resources that can be useful to them. More specifically, they were informed about the App Hop In-service training programme, as well as the App-Hop Digital Breakout Challenge Platform. It is worth noting that most of the participants were teachers with great working experience, so their contribution was very important.
After an introduction to the project objectives, website, social media and the results obtained so far, the participants were asked to download or log in to all the resources. In the piloting phase they were given detailed instructions on how to use each Intellectual Output. In more detail, for the App Hop In-service training programme there was a document showcase, as well as detailed instructions on how to create a Digital Breakout Challenge and different teaching purposes. The participants were a bit confused in the start, but after more detailed explanations and a Questions & Answers discussion the process became much clearer. They found the Platform a very fun tool that can be used for any class. The App Hop Digital Breakout Platform was also showcased, in order for the participants to have a complete idea of this teaching resource. In the end, the participants were asked to complete the evaluation survey and sign the attendance list.
Digital event (31.08.21) - learners
On the 31st of August, a digital multiplier and piloting event was organized via Google Meet. 20 people participated in total, mostly of young age (18-30). Some of them were teachers but this event was primarily focused on the learners’ experience. It is worth noting that most of the participants are very interested in topics such as cultural exchange, lifelong education and migrant incorporation into the Greek society. App Hop is relevant to all of these topics, so we believe that this event proved to be very useful and interesting to the participants, as they can either use the resources provided to educate themselves, or use them in their current (schools, private lessons, NGOs) or future work environment.
After a presentation (via sharing the screen) of the project objectives, resources and the results obtained so far, the piloting phase began. All participants were asked to log in to the App-Hop Digital Breakout Challenge Platform. After the presenter showcased the platform by completing a challenge while sharing the screen, the participants were asked to complete whichever challenge they preferred. They all found the activity fun and some commented they “actually learned something new today”. In particular, the participants that are learners of VET commented that they found the activity useful and would like to see it getting incorporated into their curriculum one day. The App Hop In-service training programme was also presented, as many participants are either already working as or are interested in becoming teachers, NGO workers and lifelong education providers.In the end, the participants were asked to complete the evaluation survey and sign the attendance list via the PDF sign tool.
Overall, the participant response in both events (face-to-face and digital) was very positive. We noticed that the older participants with greater working experience (mainly in the face- to-face event) were more focused on the practical aspect of the resources provided. While they had some trouble getting the hang of the digital tools, they were quick to not only understand how to use them, but formed a solid idea of how to incorporate them into their classrooms. On the other hand, younger and more unexperienced participants (mainly in the digital event) found it very easy to use all the resources, but needed more guidance in order to explore ways that these resources could actually prove useful to them, not only as learners but as future educators as well.
