Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Training for Youth Organisations (Summer)

This training programme provides participants with an introduction to Transnational Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Projects through a learning-by-doing approach.

Programme Length: 6 weeks

Number of Participants: max. 100 

Age: 18 and over

Target Audience: Youth workers and non formal educators. 

Over 6 weeks participants engage in some of the activities that characterise this type of project such as asynchronous discussions and synchronous facilitated video sessions while learning about what it takes to implement a successful project. The training requires no previous experience with Virtual Exchange.

Who is this for?

The Training for Youth Organisations is a project based learning course where youth workers from different countries and organisations collaborate to develop, draft and implement Transnational Exchange Projects (TEPs). 

No previous experience is required, although trainees must be supported by a youth organisation, as an integral part of the course is creating a Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange project and implementing it.

The aim of this trianing is to introduce youth workers to Virtual Exchange through project based and experiential learning. 

Youth workers will also understand the requirements to successfully implement Virtual Exchange in their projects and will gain experience in the following: designing and implementing youth activities for intercultural learning, digital literacy, including communicating and collaborating online. Moreover, partipants will take part in an Online Facilitated Dialogue session (OFD), thefore will learn, first hand about the benefits of including OFD sessions in your projects. 

TEPs are intended to foster meaningful intercultural experiences, the development of transversal skills, better understanding of a specific theme such as cyberbullying, volunteering, youth and sports, etc. as well as the development of specific skills such as communicating in a foreign language. They can be stand-alone projects, or even integrated into youth exchanges, volunteering projects, and as activities in KA2 & KA3 projects.

How is it delivered?

On a Moodle platform and with synchronous video conferences

How long does it last and what is the weekly time commitment?

3-4 hours is asynchronous activities that you do with your group in your own time. 

1-2 hours is for the synchronous sessions. (taster sessions & tutoring sessions)

What topics are covered?

• What is Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange;
• Digital Literacies
• Online Presence
• Challenges in VE
• Tools for online activities
• Learning Goals
• Designing for Intercultural Learning
• Task Design
• Facilitated Synchronous Discussions
• Assessment
• Open Badges

What are the benefits for participants?

• Understanding of what VE is and what is required to successfully implement VE.
• Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Badge and Youth Pass upon completion
• Technical support for Facilitated Synchronous Discussions
• Moodle Platform which can be used for your TEP 
• Mentoring from Virtual Exchange experts during implementation.
• Recognition of Virtual Exchange project with Erasmus+ Virtual Badge awarded to youth workers and non formal educators upon completion of training and successful implementation, and an Erasmus+ Virtual Badge for youth participants on completion of your  Transnational Exchange Project (TEP).

This course is for 6 weeks and includes a blend of  synchronous "taster" facilitated dialogue sessions and weekly asynchronous activities on Moodle platform and regular tutoring sessions over the 6 weeks. The course has been designed this way to meet the needs of youth workers for flexibility. 

After enrolling, you will receive options of synchronous facilitated dialogue sessions to choose from and the asynchronous work is managed at your own pace each week. 

By the end of the course, you will have acquired the skills and knowlñedgde necessary to begin planning your own virtual exchange project.