Approach

Along a pre-defined learning line the participants will gain digital, media and intercultural competence in a progressively complex set of project-situations. The learning will not start with technical instruction but with the concepts behind the new media in general and behind community-building in particular. Starting from real life experiences in the field of “networks” (e.g. the well-known train network) and communities (e.g. political groupings) the participants first identify the rules underlying democratic and successful communication in face-to-face situations. Then they reflect and transform these structures into successful virtual communities. Following the idea of “just-in-time-learning” they will only learn the technicalities of virtual communities when they actually need them for building one.The examples will never be artificial but the projects will deal with real political or cultural topics. The communities to be created should not be artificial either but should be tested whether they address real issues that make participants contribute voluntarily and in a spirit of democratic exchange. The aim is to train participants to become “competent and reflected users” and then in a second step to become “active and responsible moderators” of such groups.

•  Inter-generational learning (in mixed international project groups)

•  Explorative and experiential learning (in virtual and real mobility)

•  Easy access (by using readily available and tested platforms)

•  Recognition and Quality Control (integration of ECTS development and life long learning)

[Expected Results]