We are excited to share an important milestone achieved within the implementation of WP2 of the Erasmus+ project ConnectED, a project dedicated to strengthening digital inclusion and empowering vulnerable groups through innovative digital education and vocational training practices.
As part of WP2, the project consortium successfully organised two focus groups with VET educators in order to better understand their teaching realities, identify existing challenges and training needs, and collaboratively contribute to the development of practical and inclusive educational materials. The discussions provided valuable insights into the digital barriers faced by vulnerable learners and helped shape resources that are adaptable, accessible, and aligned with real educational needs.
Based on the valuable contribution and feedback of participating educators, the consortium developed a comprehensive educational package focused on supporting VET educators in teaching digital competences following the DigComp framework and its different competence levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. The developed materials aim to strengthen digital literacy, critical thinking, online communication, digital safety, and problem-solving skills among learners from vulnerable backgrounds.
The educational package includes interactive learning modules created on Genially, engaging educational escape rooms designed to promote experiential and collaborative learning, and a dedicated online platform that will host all project resources and educational materials. The platform is designed to provide easy access to learning tools, teaching materials, and digital activities for both educators and learners, supporting flexible and innovative teaching approaches.
As an important next step, the consortium also implemented a hybrid “Train the Trainer” session, where VET educators were introduced to the educational materials and guided on how to effectively use the online platform and integrate the developed resources into their own teaching practices. This activity further strengthened educators’ confidence and preparedness to support learners in developing essential digital competences.
The ConnectED project places strong emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and digital empowerment, aiming to ensure that vulnerable groups are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital environment. Through collaborative development processes and innovative educational methodologies, the project contributes to building more inclusive and digitally skilled communities across Europe.
A huge THANK YOU goes to all VET educators and participants who actively contributed to the focus groups, training activities, and development process. Their expertise, ideas, and engagement played a key role in shaping the project outcomes.
What’s next?
The next phase of the project includes the implementation of courses with the target groups in WP4, as well as the official launch of the ConnectED online platform within WP3, where all educational materials and digital resources will become publicly accessible. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting project developments!
Learn more about the ConnectED project here: http://connectedeuproject.eu/en/