1. ICT SUPPORTED LEARNING AS PART OF LLL
IN RURAL AREAS
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
Dr. Fouli Papageorgiou
Managing Director, PRISMA-Centre for Development Studies
PRISMA-
Vice-
Vice-President, Euracademy Association
“Technology and the creation of new opportunities in rural territories”
International Workshop
Covilhã, Portugal, 15 September 2010
Parkurbis Auditorium Covilhã Science and Technology Park

2. Content of presentation
current policies of the European Union in the filed of
lifelong learning (LLL) with emphasis in rural areas and
the use of ICT in learning
the vision and trends that are emerging for the future of
ICT-supported learning in Europe
some initial statistics that have been produced by the
Euracademy Observatory / e-ruralnet research in 9
countries.

3. The policy context
1. LLL for business competitiveness, economic
development, social cohesion
2. Lisbon Strategy: ICT has a prominent role to achieve its
goals
3. Elearning Initiative 2000-2006: use ICT for learning,
learn to use ICT
4. Education and Training 2010 Programme: new skills for
new jobs, creativity and innovation, key competences
5. Lifelong learning Programme, 2006

4. Lifelong and lifewide learning?
ICT-supported learning is a powerful tool
for fostering learning in schools and universities and
promoting equity of learning for individuals
for accelerating learning and innovation within organisations.
But,,,
has not helped student mobility and professional
development. as much as expected
has limited effect on adult education,
has only limited impact on business development, and no
benefits for the small and medium sized enterprises
Has not helped rural areas overcome the skills gap

5. The Future of ICT-supported learning
Mapping Major Changes to Education and Training in
2025 (JRC –IPTS)
Learning in informal networks and communities (JRC –
IPTS)
Learning, Innovation and ICT - the ICT Clusters

6. The Future of ICT-supported learning
Goals
1. Increase the uptake of lifelong learning, especially in rural
areas
2. Eliminate the digital divide
3. Change the teaching and learning methods in formal and
informal learning: learner-centred approach, virtual group
work, inquiry projects, interactive learning
4. Change the technological environment: make use of new
mobile learning environments with phones, game consoles
and MP3 players; simulations, gaming, virtual reality,
immersive environments
5. Introduce organisational innovation, including e-
assessment for certification

7. New learning culture
a new learning culture places the individual learner at the
centre of learning, integrating learning to everyday life,
making it more relevant and attractive
Drop the e in e-learning – it is about learning in a digital
and networking society
Individual learners take greater responsibility for their
learning
Providers embrace a more open and flexible learning
environment
Interaction among learners, building e-communities
Learning becomes a social process – it is lifelong and
lifewide

8. The e-learning market: Ongoing research by the
Euracademy Observatory of e-learning in rural
areas and the e-ruralnet project
1. E-learning providers: the main players
2. E-learners
3. Control group of individuals with no experience
of e-learning

9. The providers of e-learning
Targeting rural areas
Proportion of providers per country offering special e-learning services to rural areas
70,0%
60,0%
50,0%
40,0%
Yes
30,0%
20,0%
10,0%
0,0%
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

10. The providers of e-learning
Specialisation of providers in e-learning :
% e-learning staff in training providers' organisation
0,6
0,5
0,4
0,3 % e-learning staff
0,2
0,1
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

11. The providers of e-learning
Client targeting
Priority targeting- to companies
5
4,5
4
3,5
3
Large companies (over 250 employees)
Medium companies (50 - 250 employees)
2,5 Small companies (10 - 50 employees)
Micro companies (less than 10 employees)
Public sector organisations
2
1,5
1
0,5
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

12. The providers of e-learning
Client targeting
………………………………… Priority targeting - to individuals
5
4,5
4
3,5
3
Employees in companies
Self- employed
2,5 Unemployed
Students
Other individuals
2
1,5
1
0,5
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

13. The providers of e-learning
Content of courses
Subjects offered by e-learning providers
90
80
70
60
Business and management
Technical subjects of the secondary sector
50
Technical subjects of the primary sector
Tourism
40 ICT, communications etc.
Other serivices
Languages
30
20
10
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

14. The providers of e-learning
Enablers of e-learning
What is expected from e-students to successfully complete e-learning courses
6
5
4
Self- discipline
Willingness to learn
3 Critical thinking
Perseverance
Time availability
2
1
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

15. The providers of e-learning
Critical factors for providers
Most important factors for the successful delivery of e-leaning
6
5
4
Connection to fast internet
Training of staff
Efficient administration
3 Planning ahead with new technologies
Good marketing
Suitable course subjects/topics available
2
1
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

16. The providers of e-learning
Funding of e-learning clients
Method of funding e-learning courses
100
90
80
70
Privately paid by employers
60
Privately paid by trainees
50
Full subsidies provided to trainees by Government or
EU
40 Partly subsidised / Partly privately paid
30
20
10
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

17. The providers of e-learning
Innovativeness
E-learning providers' assessment of their own innovativeness
80
70
60
50
40 innovative e-learning courses
30
20
10
0
GR DE HU PL UK PT FI ES IT

18. Conclusions
diversity of supply of e-learning across Europe, in terms of
content and targeted individuals - companies
importance placed on training of staff and planning for new
technologies
wish to be innovative in pedagogy and technology
rural areas are specifically targeted by a fair proportion of
providers
level of specialisation of providers rather high in most
countries
e-learner most important enablers are willingness to learn,
self discipline and perseverance, traits belonging to a new
learning culture created within a digital and networking
environment

19. Thank you for your patience
www.e-ruralnet.eu