Project webpage: www.flosscom.net
It is known that a high degree of European ‘students and employees’ (henceforth referred to as students) possess their knowledge and skills not because of formal education (higher and further education), but because of learning undertaken on their own initiative through web based communication, interaction and engagement in projects and processes (informal learning). The internet provides up to date information sources, like WIKIPEDIA, and also serves as an effective informal training and learning environment, with growing communities divided over different interest groups. This phenomenon of successful informal learning occurs due to the fact that people are working collaboratively together on tasks of their interest in a motivating and stimulating environment. One of the best examples are the FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) communities. Thousands of individuals, from very different educational backgrounds and geographic areas, work together in project groups. They collaborate, develop and improve new or existing systems (project work & learning), help other users (mentoring & teaching) and maintain forums and demo versions (produce & update content / learning & instructional material). New members to the communities are welcome and introduced to the subject due to the community’s support.
On the other hand, formal education (further and higher education) does not use these successful principles of the FLOSS communities - with the result that students are often given obsolete content and are not provided with the necessary motivation and support.
The FLOSSCom project is supported by the European Commission’s Minerva Programme: ODL and ICT in education.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
1. To identify the factors contributing to successful knowledge construction in informal learning communities, such as the Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) communities.
2. To analyze the effectiveness of FLOSS-like learning community in a formal educational setting.
3. To provide case studies, scenarios and guidelines for teachers and decision-makers on how to successfully embed such learning communities within formal educational environments to enhance student progression, retention and achievement.
4. To evaluate the project and disseminate the results to the wider community.
The project activities will include the review of available data, elements action research and open debates with relevant stakeholders, including teachers, students, and members of informal learning environments like in the FLOSS communities.
As a result of the project the different stakeholders in the education area are provided with case studies, scenarios and guidelines assisting them improve formal ICT enriched education.
More info:
Project webpage: www.flosscom.net
Contact Persons:
FOR GREECE: Mando Karvelli, Thessaloniki Technology Park, www.thestep.gr
Tel: + 30 2310 498201, E-mail: mando@thestep.gr
CO-ORDINATOR: Andreas Meiszner, Sociedade Portuguesa de novação, www.spi.pt Tel: +351 22 607 64 00, E-mail: andreasmeiszner@spi.pt
Innovation
