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Innovation Laboratories for the quality assurance ..
Innovation Laboratories for the quality assurance of vocational education and training
Employers expect from vocational schools graduates', among others, creativity and innovativeness, abilities to solve problems, team work, efficient use of information-communication technology tools. The experience proves that the innovative combination of the environment, IT and moderation techniques is an effective support for all kinds of team work. It contributes to create innovative problem solutions in the area of management, organisation and education. The implementation of i-Labs in the vocational education process will help their users to achieve skills, which are most required /needed at the present labour market from graduates looking for a job.The major objective of the project was to improve the quality of vocational education and training through the use of i-Labs in the didactic processes. This objective was reached by: setting up new laboratories in the partner countries; training of the staff of VET institutions in the use of i-Labs; implementation of the i-Labs in everyday practice of vocational education.The Partnership was composed of 6 institutions. The project was coordinated by the leader ITeE-PIB (PL), whose structure encompasses already an i-Lab. The leader was also a supplier of the unique software "Virtual Brainstorm" (VBS), which is planned to be used in the new i-Labs. The project partners: School Centre Ptuj (SI), SBG Dresden (DE), University of Rzeszów (PL), University Dunarea de Jos din Galati (RO) have a long experience in the implementation of vocational education processes on different levels. The Polish and Romanian partners were specially involved in theoretical and practical works concerning the use of IT in vocational education, including innovative technologies and tools. The Greek partner IDEC (EL) is well experienced institution in the field of monitoring and evaluation of the European projects.As a result of the project, the teachers, trainers and managers of VET institutions achieved new competences in application of an innovative education technology (i-Lab).Activities undertaken in the project, especially development and application of the original, innovative software supporting i-Lab sessions, had a significant impact on the increase of competences of VET teachers, trainers and VET institution managers in using information-communication technologies. The project contributed to improve the quality and the efficiency of vocational education through the implementation of innovative work group methods .The case studies was also the outcome of the project which were described the use of innovation laboratories in new, so far unknown areas and constitute a vital contribution into the development of Innovation Laboratories Good Practice Guide. Through the creation of three new i-Labs, project contributed to the development of the International Net of i-Lab Users, which was a support for i-Lab sessions facilitators.