The FreeEd project defines a framework for hybrid education (combining learning in school with distance learning), including best practices in the project countries (most of them European “pioneers” in education technology integration such as AT, EE and FI), to help lower secondary schools, specifically teachers, face the challenges presented by the current sudden shift from classroom-based education to online, distance and hybrid learning.
It is obvious by now (after several month of forced distance education) that without face-to-face teaching, learning outcomes and student-student, student-teacher interactions are diminished. Therefore a “hybrid” pedagogical approach is preferred in most countries, that combines the strengths of face-to-face and online modes of learning, seeking an optimal combination of the classroom socialization with the technologically-enhanced active and personalized distance learning possibilities of an online environment.
“Hybrid education” however seems a new “mission almost-impossible” for several schools, teachers and students, often being considered even more difficult and time-consuming than sole online teaching. To embrace the new ways of education, all stakeholders with relevant experience in blended/hybrid education need to unite efforts, share results and pragmatic considerations in order to make the most out of the opportunities. The project will closely examine innovative “hybrid/blended” education practices in Finland, Estonia, Austria and Romania, co-constructing a framework for hybrid education that can be the prevailing form of education in the future.
In this project concept teachers are not considered merely “objects” or passive participants of a learning experience, but active contributors and guides of their own professional development process. On-the-frontline teachers, teacher trainees and researchers involved in (graduate, post-graduate and in-service) teacher training will work together to co-create the learning outcomes that will make education more efficient and more engaging in schools across the 4 countries involved and beyond.
The objectives for the project are:
Main outcomes:
Besides direct impact on the participating teachers, local stakeholders and lower-secondary schools in the involved regions, the project intends to make a profound systemic impact: - Increased quality in hybrid education for all who consider the Framework and follow the training path offered by the project
*Dieses Projekt wurde mit Unterstützung der Europäischen Kommission finanziert. Die Verantwortung für den Inhalt dieser Veröffentlichung trägt allein der Verfasser; die Kommission haftet nicht für die weitere Verwendung der darin enthaltenen Angaben.