Project Summary
The transitions in the global economy, the use of digital technologies in the realm of work and the development of new types of entrepreneurship are changing the profile of jobs.
These changes pose a major challenge to the systems of initial vocational education and training (IVET).
Regarding issues in the IVET system (slowness in updating curricula; the governance models, and sector-specific characteristics), DT4VET aims to pursue a strategy apt to make the IVET system reflective and active in addressing the ever-changing skills demands of the labor market.
The field requires REFLECTIVE Educators: Open to take initiatives responsively; skilled to determine problems and produce solutions; skilled to revise/improve critically their teaching methods/contents even beyond the expectations of the market.
DT4VET aims to change the PRAXIS of vocational education. It aims to shift the mindset, values, the practices of people who are educating the future qualified and the entrepreneurial workforce of Europe.
DT4VET considers DESIGN THINKING (DT) as a key method/process to trigger reflective practices in educators. The DT method addresses simultaneously most of the transversal skills, such as the ability to think creatively and critically, take initiative, and work collaboratively for common goals and entrepreneurship competences in a systemic/holistic approach.
The main GOAL of DT4VET is to enhance the transversal skills and entrepreneurship competences of educators teaching at vocational-technical high schools by devising “DT4VET Toolkit” and “DT4VET online training module” that implement “design thinking” into the training of educators.
DT4VET, as a trilateral partnership of 7 partners from 4 countries,
- TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Turkey
- ODTÜ Design Factory, Turkey
- VAMK, Finland
- Scuola Nazionale Servizi, Italy
- ITB University of Bremen, Germany
- Ministry of National Education, Turkey
- Ankara Chamber of Industry Vocational and Technical High School, Turkey
DT4VET will produce four intellectual outputs:
1. “Re-Thinking Design Thinking” publication that maps and analyzes existing methods/models/tools in design thinking
2. “What do IVET need?” that makes the needs analysis of VET educators across European countries
3. “DT4VET Toolkit” a user-friendly design thinking toolkit that user can naturally gain creative problem-solving skills
4. “DT4VET online training module” online, open access, on DT4VET website, School Gateway: Teachers Academy and METU BilgeIş, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC).
Project Timeline
Partners
TOBB ETU (Project coordinator)
ITB, University of Bremen, Germany
Ministry of National Education, Turkey
Ankara Chamber of Industry Vocational and Technical High School