Abstract:

The IMAILE project is the first unique project on a European level which addresses the area of the ICT in the field of Education and e - learning both from the demand side and the supply side. The project takes an innovative grip on shifting research and innovation to become more customized and to be based on the actual needs from the end – users (our European schools, teachers and students).

The IMAILE consortium believes that our actual situation and problems have one common origin – the lack of customized ICT products/ services merging from the demand side (our European schools)
In order to change this scenario partners in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Portugal and Spain together has developed the IMAILE project based on the PCP method (Pre – commercial – procurement) An instrument recommend by the Commission that stimulates a dialogue between public procurers representing the demand side and industry/ SME as suppliers on the other side.

PCP requires one identified and common challenge and the IMAILE consortium has identified and decided to focus upon the challenge of an increased demand of personalized learning where new technology should support schools and teachers in an innovative and creative way. The suppliers should provide innovative solutions of the next generation PLE (personal learning environment) that address students in primary and secondary school in the topics Science, Math and Technology (STEM) and that support different learning styles with the following personal content:
• Content and digital curricula of STEM topics, self assessment
• Tools for collaboration, communication, cooperation with others
• Classroom management ( interaction with teachers for planning and selecting the tools, assessment according to 21st century skills)
• Connectedness , parents, wider community, other students

The innovative PLE technology/ solutions shall bring the following effects to meet our demands:
• Support to teachers and students in primary/ secondary education within Science, Math and Technology
• Reduce the planning hours for the teachers
• Support all students to reach their goals in a personalized way ( gifted and with special needs)
• Create more 1 to 1 meetings between teacher and student in the classroom
• Increases the motivation to learn for our students using creative and collaborative learning methods in a personalized way
• Create a real shift from teacher centered learning to student centered learning ( research shows that lessons in math and science still is mostly teacher-centered, with few opportunities for the students to have influence on their own learning and using digital tool).
• Be applicable to all devices (not fully BYOD concept) but our solution should be a tool that replicates the students’ personal devices.
• and to all learning styles ( tactile , visual auditory)
•Reduce the numbers of early drop outs

IMAILE members:
1.Halmstad municipality (Sweden)
2.Alexandersson Institute - Varberg (Sweden)
3.Region Saxony Anhalt (Germany)
4.Magdeburg University (Germany)
5. Innova Eszak-Alföld Region (Hungary)
6. Oulu ICT center of Excellence (Finland)
7. Municipality of Konnevesi (Finland)
8. ENTER (Austria)
9. INOVAMAIS (Portugal)
10. City council Viladecans (Spain)

Keywords:

PLE, PCP, Innovation, Education, European Project, TIC.