Abstract:

In this communication we present the contents, objectives, and methodology of the “DIGITAL COURSE: ELEARNING SIMULATION ENVIROMENT IN TECH CENTERS”, developed within the framework of the Erasmus Plus Program Project “VIRTUAL INTERNSHIPS IN TECH CENTERS: TRAINING VET STUDENTS WITH OBSTACLES INTO INNOVATIVE DIGITAL METHODS OF REMOTE WORKING AND ELEARNING CREATED FROM COVID-19”. This is a digital course, addressed to vocational education, VET, students, especially those with obstacles. The objective of the course is to train the students in the knowledge and skills required for successful and effective teleworking in technological companies. The participation in virtual internships in the companies involved in the project will complement this initial training course. We expect helping VET students to obtain a competitive curriculum that facilitates their access to the labour market and their social inclusion. All this in order to respond to the terrible situation derived from the COVID19 pandemic, which has shown the importance of teleworking and digital training.

The course is based on THE SIMULATION OF WORK LEARNING methodology, a practical work training methodology that has attracted great attention in recent years. To implement it, we present the course in a LEARNING BY DOING application. We place the student in a private e-learning environment that will simulate the scenario of a specific job with specific characteristics, structure, equipment, and available software. In this environment the student must carry out different activities related to the functions that they will have in future virtual internships in the technology company. In this way, when virtual mobility begins, they will already have met the clue points that will facilitate them to take advantage of the internship and be effective for the company.

This methodology, based on immersive computer technologies, conceives students as active agents in the development of their knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes through experience. VET students with obstacles will improve their ability to obtain and analyse information, to make decisions, and to work within a team, as well as improving their communication skills and use of technology.

Acknowledgements:
This work has been funded by the Erasmus + program within the 2020-1-ES01-KA226-VET-094951project, Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE).

Keywords:

VET, technology companies, internships, critical thinking.