Preparing educators for a digital future
The project Work-Based Learning in an Online Environment (eWBL) has successfully concluded. Co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme, the project focused on adapting work-based learning (WBL) to digital and remote contexts.
Throughout the project, six international partners with complementary expertise collaborated to address the challenges of transitioning from traditional WBL to electronic work-based learning (eWBL), including: FH Münster (Germany), which coordinated the project and developed the toolkit; Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (FGB) and Università Ca' Foscari Venezia (Italy), which were responsible for mapping the challenges and solutions in the transition from WBL to eWBL across Europe; Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Netherlands) and Univerza v Ljubljani (Slovenia), which led the creation of replicable frameworks and models; and Momentum (Ireland), which focused on training and capacity-building activities for educators and other stakeholders.
The project's main goal was to equip higher education educators – including professors, trainers, and administrative staff – with the knowledge and tools needed to design and implement high-quality electronic work-based learning (eWBL) solutions. As the need for digital skills has grown in the workplace, particularly following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the eWBL project aimed to provide a practical response to the increasing demand for effective remote learning and working solutions. By enhancing educators' abilities to deliver quality eWBL, the project has contributed to preparing students for the evolving demands of the modern job market, particularly in the context of remote and hybrid work environments.
The project began with an extensive analysis of 27 case studies from WBL providers across Europe. These were developed based on interviews with a range of stakeholders, including trainees, academic tutors, and company tutors, who provided insights into pre-pandemic WBL practices, the challenges encountered during the shift to eWBL, and the solutions that emerged in response to these challenges. The analysis helped to identify common themes and strategies for overcoming obstacles in the transition to eWBL, providing valuable lessons for other institutions facing similar challenges.
Following the analysis, the project developed a series of replicable frameworks and models to guide the implementation of eWBL in higher education institutions (HEIs). These frameworks and models were structured around five key phases of eWBL: design, preparation, onboarding, delivery, and assessment. Each phase includes its own set of sub-phases, which together form a comprehensive approach to eWBL.
In addition to the five-phase framework, the project also established a quality assurance process to ensure that eWBL experiences meet high standards of effectiveness and engagement. The use of in-depth case studies at the national level to identify successful models of transition from WBL to eWBL provided a solid foundation for developing these frameworks and models, ensuring their relevance and adaptability across various contexts and disciplines.
The project's key outputs include a range of practical tools and resources designed to support educators, employers, and interns in planning, implementing, and evaluating eWBL. These resources are encapsulated in the "Treasure Box," which includes:
- The eWBL Toolkit: A comprehensive resource collection for planning, implementing, and evaluating digital work-based learning. It includes tools, templates, and methods for each of the five phases of eWBL. These resources are available in PDF format and on Miro, providing flexibility for different types of users and contexts.
- A video collection: Visual resources that explain the principles of eWBL, its practical applications, and best practices for ensuring quality at each stage of the process. These videos serve as supplementary learning materials for educators, employers, and students.
- Training slide deck: A presentation designed to support educators in applying the eWBL Toolkit. The slide deck is suitable for use in various training events, workshops, and multiplier activities.
- Reports and scientific publications: Detailed documents providing the theoretical foundation of eWBL and insights into its implementation. These publications cover topics such as pedagogical frameworks, quality measures, and case studies from the project’s partner countries, and they are valuable resources for educators, institutions, and employers looking to refine their virtual learning programs.
In addition to the development of these tools and resources, the project also focused on building the capacity of HEIs to deliver high-quality eWBL. This was achieved through a "train-the-trainer" approach, which involved preparing master trainers in each of the project's partner countries. These master trainers were then responsible for delivering training to other educators and administrative staff at the national level. This cascading approach ensured that knowledge and expertise were shared widely across the project's target groups, further enhancing the sustainability and impact of the project.
The project also involved the organisation of numerous events across the five participating countries, including educator training sessions, workshops, and multiplier events aimed at promoting the adoption and implementation of eWBL. These events provided opportunities for participants to engage with the project's outputs, discuss best practices, and exchange ideas for overcoming common challenges in the transition to eWBL.
One of the key achievements of the eWBL project is the development of a comprehensive set of Open Educational Resources (OERs) that are freely available to the public. These include the eWBL Toolkit, training materials, videos, and reports, and they can be accessed online by educators and institutions seeking to improve their eWBL practices. The availability of these resources ensures that the project's outcomes will continue to have a positive impact on higher education beyond the duration of the project.
The eWBL project represents an important step in the digital transformation of higher education. It demonstrates how work-based learning can be effectively delivered in remote or hybrid settings, providing a model for other institutions seeking to implement or improve their own eWBL programmes. By the end of the project, the consortium had not only developed valuable tools but also contributed to the ongoing improvement of training practices for future professionals across Europe.
The resources available in the Treasure Box are now accessible to all who wish to improve the connection between teaching and work, and we encourage educators and institutions to make use of these materials to enhance the quality of work-based learning in their own contexts.
