1. InterAct and Learning Outcomes Developing New Basic Skills in the workplace Simon Crowe Westminster Adult Education Service, UK JISC RSC for London, UK

2. InterAct’s challenge Targeting those Europeans at risk of marginalization at work: Principally, less qualified workers with less developed communication and social skills and typically whose first language is not English “To develop, pilot and to release a model for improving the New Basic Skills in the workplace”

3. The InterAct Model Problem-solving, role-play type activities –5 step scenario on work-related topics –International collaboration between teams in different countries Using a simple online platform –tutored online meetings of national teams –staged release of information by tutors –creation/organization/sharing of documents –mail conferences/forum/chat synchronous/asynchronous

4. InterAct’s USP Highly motivating International/cultural exchange - competitive – game-like - Problem solving element - Role-play - Fun, exciting, innovative and varied Breaks the School-room mould Relevant to the work context Personalised and supported learning

5. Skills developed and practised Language and communication skills ICT skills Teamwork Intercultural awareness Improving own learning Confidence

6. Step 1 Relationship building Typical skills developed Communication - Exchange personal information using online communication. - Summarise and present information using images and text. ICT - Use an online platform. - Create html. with text and images Getting to know each other… “Interview and write an introduction to members of another group - match your description to the person’s photograph”.

8. Step 2 - Research Typical skills developed Information Technology - Plan and use different search facilities to locate and select information - Present information using images and text (as.html) Working with others - Work cooperatively with others towards achieving identified objectives - Organise tasks to meet your responsibilities. A group of Europeans are coming on a round trip to the areas you have chosen. They will stay for 3 days in each area. Plan and present 5 activities which meet the stated criteria.

10. Step 3 - Negotiation Typical skills developed Problem Solving - Listen and respond sensitively to others, and develop points and ideas. - Structure what you say so that your reasoning and ideas may be easily followed, and understood. The European Commission announces a reduction in the project budget. You are requested you to negotiate a reduction in the number of activities from 25 to 17 according to the set criteria.

12. Step 4 - Collaboration Typical skills developed Problem Solving - Explore problem, analyse features, agree on how to present results ICT - Create a Power Point presentation using text, images, animation. The Commission asks each group to make a PowerPoint presentation of 2 of the remaining activities. In order to ensure objectivity you must make your presentation about another group’s activities

15. Step 5 - Review Typical skills developed (Self) Evaluation - Assess and comment on work done - Reflect on own achievements and progress Working with others - Agree and report how teamwork has been successful and objectives have been met - Suggest ways of improving teamwork to help achieve results The commission wishes to judge the the activities... You give your points according to how good you find the activities in terms of environmental friendliness... You must be prepared to justify your decisions.

17. The InterAct Model Does it work?

18. Teamwork!

19. Contact details Simon Crowe Senior e-Learning Adviser - ACL JISC Regional Support Centre for London ULCC 20 Guilford Street London WC1N 1DZ UK Email: s.crowe@rsc-london.ac.uks.crowe@rsc-london.ac.uk Tel: 020 7692 1610 Mobile: 07787 122867 Personal contact details Email: mail@simoncrowe.commail@simoncrowe.com Mobile: 07879 484258