The Our Digital Village Project

Rapid digital transformation has influenced education, work and life and the Covid-19 pandemic has only highlighted more the divergences linked to digitisation in some territories, especially between urban and rural areas, and the need for innovation in education to respond to these challenges.

For this reason, Our Digital Village (ODV) aims to intervene in rural areas by promoting the acquisition of digital and transversal skills, preparing people to face the challenges of the future. It will do so by co-creating high-quality educational content that responds to the needs of the local context, while simultaneously ensuring the long-term transformation towards digitalization through active awareness raising on all levels of society.

Through self-analysis workshops, the intrinsic motivation to change will be explored, and the needs of each local context will be identified. These will be taken in mind while co-designing the educational materials, followed by a training for teachers and trainers to ensure their capacity to implement the co-designed activities with their learners.

The Activity Kit

Description

The "Our Digital Village" Activity Kit aims to bridge the digital divide in rural areas by fostering the acquisition of digital and transversal skills. Designed primarily for educators, including teachers and trainers who wish to incorporate digital education into their curricula, the Activity Kit serves as a comprehensive tool. It empowers educators with the knowledge and resources to conduct effective digital education sessions, benefiting both young and adult learners in formal and non-formal educational settings. By facilitating access to theoretical and practical elements of contemporary educational ICT topics, the Kit enables educators to deliver innovative and effective teaching methods. Consequently, learners are equipped with essential skills for academic success and future employment opportunities, ensuring a broad and impactful enhancement of the educational experience across the board.

The Activity Kit's design reflects a commitment to flexibility, adaptability, and learner-centered education, enabling educators to tailor their teaching approach to the specific needs of their students while fostering an engaging and enriching learning environment. It consists of:

1. Information on Digital education in the EU and in the ODV project countries
2. Pedagogical Guidelines: A set of instructions and recommendations for educators on how to effectively use the Activity Kit.
3. Lesson Plans examples: Detailed guides for structuring ICT courses, including objectives, materials needed, and step-by-step instructions for conducting each session.
4. ICT Challenges: Practical, problem-based activities that encourage learners to apply digital skills in real-world contexts.
5. Extra Resources: Additional materials such as articles, podcasts, apps, and platforms that provide further reading and exploration opportunities.

Target Groups

The Activity Kit is primarily designed for educators, including teachers and trainers, who are looking to integrate digital education into their curricula. These educators are the direct target group of this Kit. The aim is to equip them with the necessary tools to implement digital education sessions effectively within their schools/classes with young and adult learners. The use of the Our Digital Village “Activity Kit" will be facilitated by the knowledge gained and capacity built through the introduction of the training outline to educators before using the Activity Kit.

Young and Adult Learners in formal and non-formal educational settings will also benefit significantly by the application of the Activity Kit, as they constitute the main beneficiaries targeted by the Kit. Learners will have the opportunity to delve into theoretical and practical elements of current educational ICT topics and to experience more innovative and effective teaching methods, that will make them better prepared for the demands of the digital age. By engaging with educators trained in the latest digital education techniques, learners will acquire essential skills that are crucial for academic success and future employment opportunities.

This dual focus ensures that the Activity Kit has a broad impact, directly enhancing the skill set of educators while indirectly benefiting learners by providing them with a more enriching and relevant educational experience.

How to use this Activity Kit

The Activity Kit, designed for educators, including teachers and trainers, aims to integrate digital education seamlessly into their curricula. Before utilizing the kit, educators are provided with training to familiarize them with the materials and methodologies encompassed in the kit. This preparation ensures they are well-equipped to conduct effective digital education sessions. The kit serves both young and adult learners across formal and non-formal educational settings, offering theoretical and practical insights into current ICT topics. By employing innovative teaching methods learned through the kit, educators can offer learners a comprehensive education that not only prepares them for the digital age but also enhances their employability and academic success.

The distribution of the "Our Digital Village" Activity Kit is crafted with a strategic emphasis on adaptability to cater to the diverse contexts in which it will be employed. Acknowledging the varied educational landscapes, this approach ensures the Kit's application is both relevant and effective.

Educators are welcome to tailor the deployment of the Activity Kit to align with the unique requirements and interests of the educators and learners. This involves flexibility in the allocation of time across different segments or activities to meet the educational goals while respecting the availability of participants. Embrace flexibility in modifying or reconfiguring the activities proposed in the Kit to better accommodate the learning preferences and objectives of the educators and learners involved. This may involve for example extending activities that are of particular interest or relevance to the participants.