DCDS multiplier event with stakeholders and representatives from the public library system in Romania
EOS Romania Foundation together with one of the DCDS associated partners, ANBPR – The National Association of Libraries and Librarians in Romania, organized a multiplier event on 24 May in Sibiu.
The aim of the event was to inform stakeholders, staff and representatives from the national library network about the project’s objectives, the Context Analysis data and report, the methodology that has been developed and implemented and, in particular the training content and online learning environment – the DCDE platform. More than 40 participants attended the event.
Public libraries in Romania are one of the largest networks that is involved in delivering basic ICT training to a range of target groups. They are constantly searching for new resources and training approaches to be used during their training sessions with digitally low skilled adults. Historically EOS has had a very productive collaboration with public libraries in other national projects and campaigns, this being the main reason for selecting this group as the participants for the first multiplier event organized in Romania under DCDS.
The participants showed great interest in the information they received and paid special attention to the training methodology and the online learning environment. A practical demonstration of the online environment took place during the event, by implementing a training lesson from the proposed learning process. Stakeholders were impressed by and enthusiastic about the practical demonstration and said that use of blended learning approach is one that they would like to implement within their training centres.
At the end of the event a dedicated session for discussion was initiated, and participants had the chance to address a lot of questions related to training methodology, online platform and the experiences faced by the trainers during the pilot exercise. Many trainers and library representatives expressed their interest in using the DCDS learning environment at the end of the pilot period and requested documents, guidance and the guidelines in order to be able to implement the training in their local libraries.
Based on previous experience and the feedback received from stakeholders and trainers during the multiplier event, some short training sessions will have to be organized for facilitators interested to deliver DCDS learning paths. DCDS system and all his components as self-assesment test, learning materials and online environment is a complex resource, which requires a special training in order to understand how this resource works and can be used. Also, some guidelines comprising the most important information will be developed and delivered to facilitators during the training. Although a teacher guide was developed within the project methodology, a brief description of the entire process is needed. The resource was well received by participants, and we will ensure support for those who are willing to use it.
Feedback received from participants was good. One of the participants, librarian and trainer Crina P., stated, “I’m really excited to see that this kind of resource is developed in our country as well; we really need new training approaches and methods that can used in our local libraries with our target groups. The DCDS blended learning approach presented today is a great opportunity for us and for our trainees, it brings novelty and empowers trainees in their learning process.”
