1. “Virtual Enterprises Program”
1st EPAL of TRIKALA

2. VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES: The program
“Virtual Enterprises” is a program that run in the Vocational Schools with the main aim to introduce to the students the “real” conditions of the enterprises. 2

3. The Objectives of the program:
VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES:
The Objectives of the program:
The familiarization of the students in methods and procedures of the labor market.
The awareness of business thought and culture.
The development of personal and business skills.
The connection of the school with the labor market.
The cultivation of team work between the students. 3

4. VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES: Characteristics of the model
This program runs for a semester for 3 hours per week out of the curriculum.
The students work in groups with a business plan within the organizational structure of a virtual enterprise.
The number of students in each virtual enterprise, is between 8 and 15 students.
The students work in “role play” method and they change roles in the same virtual enterprise. 4

5. VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES: The role of the teacher
Organizes the functioning aspects of students’ “virtual enterprise”
Choice of students, laboratories, equipment etc
Choice of “mentor” from labor market
Estimation of consumables that will be needed
Prepares the students
Engagement in teamwork, role game etc.
Introduction to the basic meanings of business
Analysis of entrepreneurship
Supports students
By offering help and advice throughout the implementation of the virtual enterprise 5

6. VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES: The role of the teacher
He watches and supervises…
...In various stages of the activities of the students’ virtual enterprise
He guides and he never interferes…
…So that students are free to develop ideas, initiatives and to make mistakes from which they learn
Participates in the evaluation process…
…In every stage of virtual enterprise 6

7. VIRTUAL ENTERPRISES: The role of the mentor
Mentor is a person that works or he is the owner in a similar to students’ virtual enterprise.
The students visit his enterprise to see how it works and to ask questions.
The mentor comes to school to answer to students’ questions about how they can make their virtual enterprise. 7

8. An example of a virtual enterprise
NEW CD-ROM O.E.(Ltd)

9. The company designs the
NEW CD-ROM Ltd.
Object
The company designs the
CD’s cover for companies
and do the packaging.

10. NEW CD-ROM Ltd. NEW CD-ROM Ltd.
At the first meetings we talked about the company and our expectations from it
NEW CD-ROM Ltd.

11. Next, they set up the departments of the virtual enterprise ...
NEW CD Ltd.
Next, they set up the departments of the virtual enterprise ...
Management Department
Sales Department
Art and graphics Department
Production Department

12. ALL STUDENTS CHANGED ROLES AND PASSED FROM EACH POSITION
NEW CD Ltd.
Roles in the virtual enterprise
Director
Secretariat
Sales manager
Designers – Graphic Designers
Technicians – Workers
ALL STUDENTS CHANGED ROLES AND PASSED FROM EACH POSITION

13. Then some students went to banks to ask for a loan
NEW CD Ltd.
Then some students went to banks to ask for a loan

14. Also, they had meetings with Mentor
NEW CD Ltd.
Another went to the tax office , another to the Chamber of Commerce to get information
Also, they had meetings with Mentor

15. Then the students designed the logo for their enterprise
NEW CD Ltd.
Then the students designed the logo for their enterprise

16. NEW CD Ltd.
They made visit cards…

17. NEW CD Ltd.
…They made a website …

18. NEW CD Ltd. .... and they created the CD covers for MULTIMEDIA CD-roms
…they collaborated with another virtual enterprise of our school, called "MULTIMEDIA“…
.... and they created the CD covers for MULTIMEDIA CD-roms

19. NEW CD Ltd.
…They prepared checks and invoices

20. NEW CD Ltd. The game was played in Computer laboratory.
…and they played one game that simulated the real work of “supply and demand”..
The game was played in Computer laboratory.

21. NEW CD Ltd. CONCLUSIONS The students were fully satisfied
The computer game gave important help for understanding basic economic meaning
The presence of the mentor was very helpful
The students learned about the real market world.

22. Thank you for your attention