The business participates in European projects contributing expertise in the areas of language teaching, e-learning and intercultural training. Anne Fox also has ten years experience of different aspects of project management to draw on in her previous employment including proposal writing, coordination, internal evaluation and external quality assessment. Currently the business is a project partner in the Understand IT Leonardo project leading the evaluation work package. Anne Fox is also a partner in the Uni-Key Erasmus project developing online entrepreneurial training for foreign interns and facilitating valorisation activities by the interns. This will inform the business planning element of this new project as well as providing opportunities for dissemination.

The business also co-produces the Absolutely Intercultural podcast which garnered the European Podcast Award for Denmark in 2010. The podcast reaches a worldwide audience and will serve as a dissemination vehicle for some of the project’s activities.

Role in the project
The primary role of the organisation would be as leader of the webinar and quality management work packages. The business is a one person business and thus all contributions to the project from this organisation will be carried out by Anne Fox.

Anne Fox was external quality consultant to the LIPs Leonardo project (2004-2006) and is now the work package leader for the evaluation work package in the currently running Understand IT Leonardo project. In addition Anne Fox has experience of ensuring project quality having worked as project coordinator in two previous Leonardo projects and one Nordic project. In the Understand IT project Anne Fox produced a quality management plan within a month of the kick-off meeting which incorporated the plans of all other project leaders and quality assessment has been integrated into all activities of the project starting with the kick-off meeting using focus group meetings and Likert scale questionnaires amongst other tools.

The organisation was made a partner in the Leonardo project UnderstandIT in which it has satisfied all administrative requirements to date. The business operates a designated business bank account and keeps accounts in which project monies are clearly distinguished from other income and expenditure. It is registered as a business in Denmark and its accounts are subject to scrutiny by the Danish tax authorities.

Partner Details

Its main areas of experience are Distributed systems, particularly in Grid and Cloud computing. Additionally the company works in the fields of Computer vision, Computer visualization, and Artificial intelligence. XLAB has participated (or are participating) in four FP5 and FP6, seven FP7 and around twelve national research projects. The most important projects today are: SLA@SOI, XtreemOS, Contrail, Pandora, Odyssey, mOSAIC+ and CloudScale (FP7 projects, mostly IPs, some already finished) in distributed systems, security and visualisation.

The company has participated also in several Leonardo da Vinci projects, namely D-FACTO (design for emotion), Pandora (risk management in SMEs),
Creatin (creativity within the business processes), Connessione (Work-life balance), TrainOS (training materials for OSS) and U-COACH (coaching in teams), which received the “Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation (TOI) 2012″ from the National Agency for quality, good evaluation for the experts and the final results.

Role in the Project
XLAB as an Industry partner will be invaluable throughout the whole project. XLABs already well developed cooperation with universities and training plus our eLearning experience contributes with positive experience.

XLAB will coordinate the Exploitation WP8 (App) where our excellent programming skills, together with our previous experience of software projects guarantee a high quality product.

Partner Details

The University, and in particular the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, has extensive collaborations and partnerships with colleges and universities in the UK, in Europe and worldwide. These collaborations facilitate shared educational programmes, joint research, staff development and exchange, and student mobility, in keeping with the aims of the Erasmus programme. The University is a publicly funded, non-profit organisation which has charitable status under UK law. The School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, in a particular through the eCentre research group, will be the major participant in this project, the School has approx 5,500 students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and a significant body of research activity relevant to the project described below.

The eCentre Research Group
The group is based in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences and has over 40 active research members from across the university working in three main areas: e-Learning, Social and Community Research, and Digital Film / Television. The eCentre is led by Dr. Bacon and Professor MacKinnon. Within the eCentre there are currently a number of relevant projects, most notably a number of projects using games and avatar technologies for health and training scenarios, development of projects using the Moodle VLE, and a number of PhD projects investigating mechanisms and impacts for learning in the use of e-Learning technologies. The team also has extensive experience of EU projects, dating back almost 20 years, and has worked on a number of projects directly related to this proposal, in particular ASTEP, EuroCompetence, mENU and PANDORA, all of which considered issues in e-Learning. Most recently, projects on social bookmarking and crisis management training (Pandora) and immersive virtual social work training (Maritime City) have been the focus of significant activity in the eCentre, and result in considerable current expertise that is of value to this project.

Role in the Project
UoG will bring particular expertise in e-Learning and social networking to the project. Specifically we will focus on the development of appropriate pedagogical approaches to support the development and delivery of learning materials in a variety of digital formats (multi-modal), utilising distributed technologies, such as social networking and mobile devices, and games based technologies. UoG also brings expertise and skills in the use of a variety of assessment instruments within an e-Learning context, and in the evaluation of learning impact and usability of learning resources. All of this expertise will be of value to the project, to enable it to address the key target of fostering excellence and innovation in Higher Education. UoG and our knowledge in e-learning and running large scale online courses will contribute to this project as being responsible for the Large scale pilot in WP5-Large scale open pilot. The knowledge in CCD-design together with our eLearning competence will be valuable in the course design process in WP2-CCD process for designing the Entrepreneur training..

Partner Details

TISIP has taken part in 13 EU projects, i.e. in Interreg, Minerva, the eLearning Programme and Leonardo. TISIP have been coordinator for two projects, called EuroCompetence and QUIS. In addition to project management our work have mainly been involved with technology for learning, virtual campuses and networked organizations and quality in eLearning and Business models for eLearning. TISIP has for ten years acted as a service provider for invoicing, enrolment and examination etc for four HEI in Norway with more than 10 000 enrolments each year.

Recently we have developed the Concurrent eLearning design (CCeD) method in Collaboration with Sør-Trøndelag University College and NTNU. CCeD is a special adapted solution, using Concurrent design for the development of eLearning solutions, both for industry and for subjects in HEI’s. We have developed and run a course on Sale and Service Management with 6 ECTS for five Norwegian companies where Telenor was the main user. More than 80 participants enrolled in the course Nationwide with good results.

Role in the Project
In WP1, Adaptation of CCD, TISIP will lead the work of making a template and process descriptions for using CCD, adapted to business planning. In the Adaption phase we need to decide how to organize the CCD work into different sessions, normally 3 – 5. We need to define the different professional areas that are involved. (In the business plan case we probably need to involve management, product or service expertise, ICT support, Customers and experts on economy.) What type of documents will be produced as a result of the CCD sessions? And how will the technical setup be, when we can use two CCD rooms together with several workstations all over Europe. And at last, what type of software is needed to be able to work across the network, for instance Adobe Connect or similar tools, Google Docs or Mindmaps or similar cloud based tools, in addition to specific expert tools. This task will involve all the partners since they will use the framework in the work ahead.

TISIP has a long reputation for running EU projects, either as a coordinator or as a Partner. In this project MIUN will take the role as coordinator. However TISIP will act as project administrator, i.e. taking care much of the administrative work related to, Partner contracts, accounting, project quality assurance, making IPR agreements and support the production of the Interim and final report.

Our operational capacity for running this project is as follows:

• TISIP manager has more than 20 years of experience with running EU projects He has developed administrative and business solutions for virtual universities, worked with QAS systems, technology for eLearning and digital testing.
• TISIP business developer has 10 years experience with development of business models and he has also been project coordinator of the CCeD project
• TISIP senior consultant has also taken part in the development of the CCeD model and also in running the Sale and Service course for industry
• TISIP economical secretary has been responsible for economical follow up and reporting for five EU projects or more.

Partner Details

Mid Sweden University offers courses and undergraduate programmes in the following fields: the Humanities, the Social Sciences, Technology and the Natural Sciences, Teacher Training and the Health and Caring Sciences.
Mid Sweden University has an important role to play in the development of the region. The university has close links with industry and commerce, local authorities, governmental authorities and other bodies in the region. This co-operation is important to the development of Mid Sweden University and its ability to contribute to the development of the region.
Among the central research areas you will find: Entrepreneurship and Business development, Learning, Education and Cultural heritage.

Education in close collaboration with working life. Mid Sweden University aims to provide education with a close connection to working life. This is made possible with the help from guest lecturers, student mentors from different companies, placements and degree projects. Developing an even deeper connection to trade and industry is a top priority for Mid Sweden University in the coming years and it is all done to ensure that the students get a relevant education that will help them to reach their goals and realise their dreams.

Mid Sweden University has an innovation office, Miun Innovation, working with the following main areas:

• Encourage students to create business ideas that derive from academic knowledge, and support them in the innovation process from idea to business concept
• Encourage researchers to use results that derive from research, and support the innovation process from idea to utilization
• Establish Miun Innovation as an important part of the regional innovation system

In addition to the areas above, Miun Innovation has recently also initiated a project named Miun Innovation – “För entreprenörskap i utbildningen” partly financed by Tillväxtverket. This project aims to develop entrepreneurship within the programs and courses at the university. It is a pilot project with programs dominated by female students as primer target groups. Prior to this project the university developed a business development course in cooperation with Venture Cup and with a number of guest lecturers from the region catering both students and professionals.

Miun Innovation has also developed a Swedish adaption of the method Easy Access IP aiming to connect the industry closer to the university. As a result, Mid Sweden University is the first university in Sweden to be renounced as an Easy Access university. The method offers a more efficient way to utilize research results deriving from the university and through the portfolio of free, Easy Access intellectual property (IP), Mid Sweden University provide a fast-track route for the transfer of knowledge and expertise from universities to industry, so that it can be developed for the benefit of the economy and society.

This application fits well within Miun top priority: deeper connection with industry. The institution for Information Technology and Media is responsible for research in Concurrent Design (CCD) and is leader in a three year project in that area. The Innovation office will be responsible for adding knowledge in the area of entrepreneurship and business planning.

For Miun  the project is an important part of work to strengthen the connection between university and work life.

Role in the Project
The department for Information Technology and Media at Miun will act as the leader of this project (WP9-Project management), in collaboration with partner TISIP with whom there is a long-standing and close cooperation. Miun is also experts in the CCD process where it have development projects and ongoing research activities, in cooperation with HiST. In addition, Miun have participated in research projects within e-learning.

In addition to project management, Miun will take a large part in the development and use of the CCD process method for entrepreneurial training (WP1-Adapt the CCD method and transfer knowledge among participants, WP2-CCD process for designing the Entrepreneur training) and the development of the course instances and course materials from the developed CCD template (WP3-Course preparation).

The Innovation office contributes with their knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation, connection to Miun research and their connection with the industry.

Partner Details

There are about 750 employees at HiST. The University College provides the region with research-based knowledge to meet the regional demands. Both the education and the research are closely connected to regional industry and public services.

The University College is located in Trondheim, Mid Norway. The town is known as “The town of the students” in Norway, and is urban but still a small and cozy town.
The project will involve activities mainly from the Faculty of Informatics and eLearning, AITeL, but will also draw upon the competence of the Faculty of Nursing.
With the research foundation TISIP, AITeL have taken part in more than 10 EU projects. Have worked on issues like Virtual universities, Quality assurance, Digital testing, Teacher training for VET teachers and Business models. Are pioneers in net based continuing professional education in Norway, with the first enrolments in 1986 and now with more than 70 net based courses with ECTS. At AITeL advanced Concurrent Design laboratory is available. Using this laboratory to build e-learning solutions together with industry, the CCeD model. Building blocks are: Knowledge in the field, Instructional design, Modern ICT technologies and Business models that are sustainable. At AITeL have developed two CCD / CCeD courses, one at Bachelor level with 6 ECTS and one at Master level with 7.5 ECTS. The CCeD model will be an important tool for the project and the staff will therefore take the responsibility of organizing and running the work package Training in CCD.

Role in the project

The CCD / CCeD model will be used both in WP2-Adaptation and design of the two Pilots and in WP4-Small scale pilot and WP5-Large scale open pilot, running the Pilots. The involvement from AITeL and TISIP are necessary to run the CCD model as:

1. Facilitator: Knut Arne Strand, AITeL
2. Session secretary: Monica Storvik (from TISIP)
3. Subject Matter Expert: Bjørn Klefstad, AITeL
4. Instructional Designer: Geir Maribu, AITeL
5. Expert in technical delivery: Tor Atle Hjeltnes (from TISIP)
6. Business model expert: Thorleif Hjeltnes (from TISIP)

HiST is a large institution. HiST have taken part in several EU projects, both in the Leonardo and Erasmus Programme (IP’s, etc). In Faculty of Informatics and eLearning have coordinated two EU projects, i.e. the ODL project Do ODL and the Leonardo TOI project Understand IT. It have therefore both the experience and the capacity to act as a Partner in the project. The plan is to collaborate closely with TISIP regarding financial management. Magnhild Tangvik, at TISIP, will take care of the Accounting and economical reporting on behalf of both AITeL and TISIP (work part time in both organizations).

Partner Details

ATEI has research experience in the domains of Computer Based Learning environments and ICT based Open and Distance Learning (ODL). ATEI has accumulated considerable experience in the above domains by participating in a number of National and European projects.

ATEI has developed ODL courses for international use, such as Strategic Internet Marketing and LAN management. The use of AI techniques, and intelligent agents in relation e-Learning models for Enterprises, are among the research interests of the project group members. Knowledge gained through the following projects is considered relevant to the domain of the current project proposal:

DoODL: Dissemination of Open & Distance Learning (in common with partners TISIP and HiST). The objective of DoODL was to define models for collaboration between European academic institutions in order to function as centres for each other in the field of ODL/e-learning. (Socrates/Minerva)

EuroCompetence: A University-workplace model for developing knowledge for European collaboration. (in common with UoG, TISIP & HiST). The objective of EuroCompetence was to develop and try out a flexible Open and Distance Learning model for further studies for Adult learners. This model covered the need for competence among employees in Industry and Public sector that need to collaborate with other companies and institutions in Europe. (Socrates/Minerva Project)

CIOC: Competence development in International Oriented Companies (in common with TISIP & HiST). The project contributed in the development of models for integration of organizational and competence development in knowledge based companies, having branches across Europe and aiming to train their employees through Open and Distance Learning. (Funded by The Norwegian Government)

MENU: Model for a European Networked University for e-learning (in common UoG, TISIP & HiST). The MENU project has created a model for a European Networked (Virtual) University, providing a variety of e-learning opportunities. The model included an organisational structure, a quality assurance system, examples of joint courses and study programmes across institutional borders. (e-Learning Initiative Project)

WELFOOD: Promoting quality assurance in animal WELfare – environment – FOOD quality interaction studies through upgraded eLearning. ATEI acted as subcontractor to the Greek National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAGREF) on the domain of ICT/e-Learning. (LdV Community Vocational Training Action Project)

WELANIMAL: A new approach on different aspects of welfare, environment and food interactions in Central and Southeastern Europe with the use of ICT. The aim of the project was to use e-learning and ICT methods to achieve fast and sufficient training for target groups and end users. ATEI acted as subcontractor to NAGREF on the domain of ICT/e-Learning. (LdV Community Vocational Training Action Project)

Role in the Project
ATEI coordinates WP4-Small scale pilot.
Combining e-learning methodologies with pedagogy and applying e-learning and collaborative networked learning techniques to several domains has been the focus of the ATEI group during the last 15 years. In this respect ATEI looks forward in working together with the other partners of the project consortium towards the development of a sound CCD methodology applied to informal/social learning. For this reason ATEI participates in several work packages, applying expertise in devising business dissemination and exploitation plans (Dept. of Marketing). Also help XLAB and implementing the mobile application described, applying knowledge on e-learning methodologies, mobile networking and programming (Dept. of Information Technology).

Partner Details

CENFIM – Vocational Training Centre for the Metallurgy and Metalworking Industry was created in January 1985 in Portugal, under an agreement between the IEFP – Employment and Training Institute, AIMMAP- Association of Metallurgical, Metalworking and Related Industries and ANEMM – National Association of Metallurgical and Electromechanical Companies.

CENFIM is a non-profit organization at national level with 13 regional training Centres covering the whole country.

CENFIM is running training courses for Apprentices and Workers in technical and management areas for metallurgical and electromechanical Companies and on conventional and controlled numerical machines (CNC). In 2011 there were 11.191 trainees, which attended 869 training courses with a total of 180.710 hours of training.

CENFIM is certified since 1998 by APCER – Portuguese Association for Certification with the Portuguese Quality System, NP EN ISO 9001, NP ISO 14001 and NP ISO 18001 Standards and Accredited by DGERT- General Employment and Work Relations Office.
Since 1989 CENFIM as coordinator and as Partner has participated in Projects co-financed by different European Community Programmes such as Petra, Force, Euroform, Now, ADAPT, Youthstart, Connect, Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and EQUAL, Lifelong Learning Programme – Comenius, Grundtvig, Leonardo da Vinci. In this last program (LdV), since 1999 CENFIM, has participated in 58 projects. Among these, CENFIM was a partner in the ‘UnderstandIT Project’ which provides a good working knowledge in the Concurrent Design (CCD) methodology which is a central subject of this project proposal.
CENFIM, and in particular the team that is part of this project, has an extensive experience in European projects, in the training activity (young and active people and in-company services), and a very close relation with the companies in the field which operates (the metalworking) not only in the operational plan but also in the formal relationships, as its board of administration is composed by representatives of companies associations. Specifically in relation to this project CENFIM had the opportunity to participate as a partner in the “UnderstandIT Project”, acquiring his own experience of implementing the CCD methodology and its Business Model Generator.

Role in the Project
CENFIM represents 13 training centres across Portugal and our strong connection with the industri pared with our knowledge in the CCD process, will make us useful throughout the whole project. Is the leader of the WP6 – Dissemination , where our network and previous project experience will be valuable.

Partner Details