Desk research
Desk research was conducted to identify innovative and effective learning/teaching approaches for working with older people. Based on this inventory, best practices and innovative teaching methods were identified and examples of good practice were provided.
Researchers from the partner universities were contributed to the research. Students were involved in this research. The researchers were responsible for the quality of the research done by the students.
The research started with defining of innovative method and criteria for selection of methods. Another step was defining of elements and type of description for each method.
Different countries have participated in this desk research to provide the best inventory possible. Project participants from different countries (26) have made an inventory of effective learning/teaching approaches that they use or know. Translated in national documents if necessary. Based on this inventory, best practices and innovative teaching methods were identified based on the research, and examples of good practice were created and/or provided. This desk research includes a survey among the different participants. This approach (survey) also allowed defining cultural differences that might be present.
The inventory has focused on
innovative and effective learning/teaching approaches used in training of
health and social workers and focused on supporting interaction skills.
Innovative learning approaches for working with the elderly were identified;
opportunities have been described. Desk research included an inventory of
innovative learning/teaching approaches that are already used in different
countries in the training of health and social workers. Both innovative
learning approaches focused on working with the elderly and innovative
approaches that might be useful for that purpose but has not been focused on
the elderly yet were part of the inventory.
The result was a report drawing an overview of innovative and effective
learning/teaching approaches for working with the elderly and those approaches
that have not been used in that context yet but have potential to be used with
that aim.
Pedagogical Information
Desk research was part of preparation for new educational programmes for professionals who work with older people. Evidences and data are important part for preparation of every educational and training program. The best way of collecting data is combination of desk research (collecting data about previous researches and their results), the survey (about students’ needs and expectations), and survey about needs of final beneficiaries (in this case older people). It is a kind of evidence based preparation or input to new curriculum.
The specific implementation of desk research in this project is that were included differences among European countries and societies (from Cyprus to Finland, from Croatia to Netherland), sociocultural differences of final beneficiaries, different cultural backgrounds and common European values.
Result was common European framework (European Core Competences Framework (ECCF)
Based on professional standards, educational systems, and social needs of older people.
Systematic preparation of educational program is key for its effective implementation.
European Dimension
This method includes cases from EU and candidate countries. An important part is respecting diversity and searching for common elements in proposed programs and methods. During research process participants faced with language and cultural diversity, different perception of older people, different education system. Result was - European Core Competences Framework (ECCF) or united (results) in diversity.
Applied in projects
ELLAN – European Later Life Active Network
This project promoted European cooperation and exchange of innovation and good practice related to the ageing population and to the educational preparation of those that work with older people. The project reconstructed the diverse educational approach by developing a European Competences Framework for working with the older people, sharing innovation in teaching and identifying factors that influence students in choosing to work with older people thus strengthening the quality of higher education for professions providing care for older people.
The project directly targeted educators and management staff at the partners and other higher education institutions in Europe. The indirect target groups were the students, professional communities and older people themselves.
