IntegrateME: The development of a VET Open Educational Resource on Cultural Literacy towards the integration of immigrants and refugees in the EU in the frames of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development focus of “leaving no one behind”
IntegrateME! is an Erasmus+ KA2 project focused on the role of VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors in the promotion of Cultural Literacy of immigrants and refugees towards their smooth integration in the EU diverse society. Becoming culturally literate, immigrants and refugees will acquire the knowledge and skills to understand and participate in a given culture and be smoothly integrated in the society of EU, from both a personal and professional point of view. Knowledge of diverse cultures, respect of beliefs and recognition of identities, through an intercultural approach, are decisive components that encourage the integration of immigrants and refugees in European societies. Cultural literacy could improve their everyday personal and professional reality in their “new” socio-cultural environment, in which they will collectively work for the economic growth and social welfare of Europe.
At the same time, ICT innovation is reshaping every aspect of our life (professional, social, educational, personal, etc), and so far has shown a great potential in affecting and improving it. In this sense, one aspect of our lives that is greatly affected is the development of virtual learning environments, which are considered to have a high degree of interactivity and complexity, not only due to the need of specialized and appropriate ICT learning environments but also due to the need of innovative didactic methods and learning material in order to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of ICT available resources, as the educational activities must be comprehensive, aiming to meet the needs of tomorrow.
Having all these in mind, the purpose of IntegrateME! is to contribute to the development of a VET Open Educational Resource on Cultural Literacy aiming at training VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors, who in turn wil be better prepared to l train immigrants and refugees towards their smooth integration in the diverse society of EU according to the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development focus on “leaving no one behind”.
IntegrateME! is an international synergy between 6 European organisations with a transnational character, having as target groups VET trainers, teachers and mentors, VET Centres and educational organisations, immigrants and refugees. They will jointly work to develop a VET Open Educational Resource, extending their scope beyond the boarders of their countries in order to define common strategies for fostering critical thinking through the use of ICT tools on Cultural Literacy. The project has the following objectives:
1.To design innovative training contents and methodologies for VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors on Cultural Literacy embracing effective use of ICTs
2.To increase the professional development (knowledge, skills, competences) of VET trainers to effectively support immigrants and refugees in integrating themselves, through Cultural Literacy, in their “new” home,
3.Enhance pedagogical competences and skills development for effectively teaching issues related to Cultural Literacy
4. Build a creative, motivating and positive learning environment.
The objectives will be accomplished through the following project’s innovative products:
- a VET Trainer Curriculum to be used by VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors for their professional development on Cultural Literacy,
- a VET Trainer Pedagogical Handbook on Cultural Literacy including in depth information, basic concepts, definitions and innovative methodological approaches regarding Cultural literacy,
- a VET Open Educational Resource including an e-learning platform to be used as a training tool in the framework of Cultural Literacy
- a Serious Game, which will be an on-line educational game in order to promote and motivate learning on Cultural Literacy in a playful manner.
