Konstantina N. Polymeropoulou, postgraduate student in Cultural Organizations Management Achilles D. Kameas, Assistant Professor Hellenic Open University Using the TIPS platform to train Greek cultural mediators

Introduction In the frame of the "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" (year 2008), the cultural mediators are indicated as the most important players in facilitating the adaptation and adoption of immigrants by the hosting society. 2 SALL Conference, Patras

Cultural mediators “Cultural mediators are involved in all services for immigrants, refugees and human traffic victims. These include welcoming services, as well as education, health, insurance, job seeking, and other services. Cultural mediators require valuable, updated training especially applicable in everyday work-related activities.” 3 SALL Conference, Patras

Role and traits of cultural mediators They act as facilitators aiming to enhance the communication and to establish a common understanding between the immigrants / refugees and the public bodies of the hosting country They have a significant position and can be helpful in many important fields such as health, education, employment, legal rights etc They support foreign citizens and their families, providing them with information and professional consultancy in order to adapt better and even become integrated in the hosting country. They have communication skills and are very good listeners They have knowledge both of the native and the host countries (culture, laws, traditions…) 4 SALL Conference, Patras

Educating cultural mediators: need for a non traditional approach The need to develop a non - traditional approach to enhancing cultural mediators’ education has risen because of the requirement to constantly provide information and support to the immigrants, overcoming constraints of time and space. 5 SALL Conference, Patras

The TIPS project Co-financed by the EU Leonardo da Vinci Programme Duration: 2 years, from 01/11/2007 to 31/10/2009 Developed a blended T-learning methodology by integrating a triple technology platform consisting of e-learning (Internet), M-learning (PDA & Smartphones) and TV-learning (IPTV) Five countries participated in the project (Italy, Greece, France, Austria and Poland) Outcome: training course 6 SALL Conference, Patras

Partners  Consorzio FOR.COM, ITALY  Auxilium, AUSTRIA  IRIV, FRANCE  Hellenic Open University, GREECE  Gruppo Pragma, ITALY  Tischner European University, POLAND SALL Conference, Patras

Aims of the TIPS project To develop and test an online training course To use the T-learning methodology, addressing o potential cultural mediators o professional cultural mediators o social workers To advance their skills and capabilities required for cooperating with immigrants 8 SALL Conference, Patras

The T-Learning methodology The TIPS system combines three different educational platforms, in order to maximize the benefits of distance learning tools:  the e-learning platform,  the M-learning platform and  the IPTV-learning platform. 9 SALL Conference, Patras

The e-learning platform view multimedia training content attend virtual classrooms participate in a discussion forum interact with other students and/or the tutors download the didactic material exchange information and knowledge see in a menu the available services such as communication tools, the training agenda, announcements, documents, links and access to the e-course contents 10 SALL Conference, Patras

The M-learning platform supports a “learning-by doing” approach integrated with “learning in the workplace” access to the training course contents anytime anywhere through a mobile phone or PDA different didactic material communication tools, such as the TIPS phrasebook 11 SALL Conference, Patras

The IPTV-learning platform The IPTV-learning platform needs: a TV set a set top box (with a remote control and a keyboard) ADSL Internet connection / claroing / IPTV 12 SALL Conference, Patras

The TIPS Course The TIPS training Course titled “Practicing and Enhancing Cultural Mediation in a Pluralistic Europe” officially started on March 2009 ended on August The TIPS training Course appealed not only to the people who were already working as professional cultural mediators and require up-to-date training, but also to those prospective cultural mediators, who needed to enhance their knowledge and skills. 13 SALL Conference, Patras

Modules  Module I: Introduction to the TIPS course  Module II: Cultural Mediation: A Professional Profile  Module III: The Psychology of Cultural Mediation  Module IV: National and European Legislation  Module V: Cultural Mediation: Fields of Application 14 SALL Conference, Patras

Additional learning content TIPS glossary TIPS phrasebook multimedia objects composed of images, audio and text an e-book that provides information about several migrant countries, cultures and traditions 15 SALL Conference, Patras

The learning Objects SALL Conference, Patras 16 Mobile learning pills IPTV videos & quizzes A/V lessons Slides Lecture notes Quizzes

The TIPS training A specific selection process of the participants was realized in every participating country 100 participants from all the partner countries The selected course participants were given a training schedule describing the sequence of study of the five course modules. They attended one Virtual Classroom from a distance using the TIPS e-learning platform Course students could log on the e-learning platform from their own premises and on the three platforms from one of the TIPS Centres 17 SALL Conference, Patras

The Greek Class (1) More than 50 people were interested in participating in the TIPS course Finally 25 of them were selected and enrolled o 21 people from all around Greece o 1 from Albania o 1 from Romania o 2 from Lebanon 18 SALL Conference, Patras

The Greek Class (2) 3TIPS Centres were set up in 3 cities in the country o Patras, o Athens and o Rethimno Each TIPS Centre offered o IPTV, o a mobile phone for the m-learning platform and o PCs with ADSL Internet connection 19 SALL Conference, Patras

Results After the realization of the course, Hellenic Open University issued seventeen (17) certificates of attendance to the Greek class who completed at least a minimum of 30% of the Learning Objects. The 68% of the Greek Class managed to use the triple platform in a satisfactory level. Most of them have never used the mobile telephone and television for educational purposes. 20 SALL Conference, Patras

Evaluation  evaluation questionnaires  interviews  roundtable discussions 21 SALL Conference, Patras

Conclusion The T-learning methodology that was applied in the TIPS project has enhanced the combination of theory and practice, synchronous and asynchronous, autonomous and collaborative learning. It realized a pilot training Course at a European level, combining three novel an powerful technologies: Internet, mobile phones and IPTV. Cultural Mediators will always need to improve their capabilities and competences 22 SALL Conference, Patras

Thank you for your attention!! 23 SALL Conference, Patras