OSMOSYS (Organising SMO’s employees approaches to lifelong learning at SYStem level)
Aims and objectives
The overall aim of the OSMOSYS project was to break down the barriers between corporate, formal and informal learning by reviewing and introducing a context-based approach to modelling Adult Learning Centres (ALC) and a negotiated and integrated approach to reporting learning results.
The project sought to develop products to understand and address the difficulties that employees of SMOs (Small and Medium sized Organisations) and SMEs (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) are faced with in accessing learning by:
 | Reviewing Adult Learning Centres across Europe, with regards to the integration of learning provisions developed in non-formal and informal contexts. |
| Integrating and presenting best practice with regards to the projects specific aims and work hypothesis. |
| Designing and developing a tool that was able to consider the relevant dimensions and criteria that was underpinned by the identified ALC models. |
| Testing several operational approaches, which would enable lifelong learning (LLL) opportunities for employees of SMOs through the ALCs, by constituting local networks of SMOs and public-private partnerships for the development of the ALC. |
| Conducting an experimental activity related to the use of ePortfolios in ALCs within the context of the project. |
| Adapting the conceived framework and approach produced by the project and disseminate it and the ePortfolio to the participating countries/regions. |
The OSMOSYS project has impacted positively on hard to reach adult learners, who previously received limited opportunities to engage in LLL. By improving their opportunities, and stimulating a demand for learning among adult employees of SMOs, the project was able to recognise and value the knowledge and competencies that each learner acquired through informal and non-formal learning.
Activities and lessons learned
A national state of the art report about adult learning centres in the seven project countries was produced illustrating the approaches adopted by the various countries to adult learning. From this and through a series of case studies, best practice was presented regarding the integration of non-job-related and job-related learning. This information then contributed to the development of a practical tool to design and assess ALCs, which was then piloted in each partner country. In addition an ePortfolio was piloted with adult learners to establish its usefulness in assisting LLL. A series of national consensus building events for policy makers and learning support seminars were held to assist with this. Finally a European conference was held to widen dissemination of the project.
Achievements
Successful piloting of an ePortfolio in Adult Learning Centres which targeted learners and tutors enabled a greater understanding of the potential this tool could have. Learners were able to document the knowledge and competencies acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning, building confidence to ensure use of the ePortfolio post piloting. As a result successful European partnership working was achieved
Materials produced
A number of reports and a toolbox were produced from the project (available at www.osmosys.se ) these included:
| Country Reports on Adult Learning Centres in Europe |
| Best Practice Case Study Report |
| A report on the use of ePortfolio as a useful tool for lifelong learning |
| OSMOSYS 'Self-Diagnostic & Transformative Toolbox' for European Adult Learning Centres |
Partnership organisations/ countries
Sweden: Swedish Agency for Flexible Learning, CFL-SE (Lead Partners)
Germany: FIM New Learning-DE
Spain: Instituto Municipal de Formacion y Empleo, Ayuntamiento de Granada(IMFE)-ES
France: European Institute for E-Learning-FR
Italy: SCIENTER-IT
Italy: FAPER Consorzio Formazione Aziendale Permanente-IT
Romania: Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti-RO
Learner involvement
Learners played a key role in piloting the ePortfolio, this was largely structured into their time at the Adult Learning Centres. Many were asked to use the ePortfolio, for a period of time, after which they evaluated the tool against a predetermined grid .
Impact
On the organisation:
The results from the piloting contributed to the ongoing improvement of
company’s website, which resulted in a product that the learners benefited from.
Also it facilitated the organisation to get actively involved in transnational
research.
On our staff:
The staff have become enthusiastic about the use of ePortfolio as a tool to
document the learners achievements and skills, CV building, etc.
On adult learners:
Adult learners have benefited from exposure to Careers Wales Online,
eportfolio and consequently guidance on career planning and training.
On external bodies:
The project has strengthened partnership links with local and regional
bodies, who assisted us in conducting the research.
Contact details
Name, organisation and address:
Tracy Griffin
Project Co-ordinator
Careers Wales Gwent
Ty Glyn, Albion Road,
Pontypool,
NP4 6GE
Telephone no.: 01495 756666
Email: Tracy.griffin@careerswalesgwent.org.uk
Classification data
Project focus
| Active citizenship | |
| Essential skills | |
| Inter-generational learning | |
| Cultural/multi-cultural | |
| ICT and learning | X |
| Foreign languages | |
| Other* |
Project Type: Grundtvig Co-operation projects
UK project base
| East Midlands | |
| East of England | |
| London | |
| North East | |
| Northern Ireland | |
| North West | |
| Scotland | |
| South East | |
| South West | |
| Wales | X |
| West Midlands | |
| Yorkshire and the Humber |
