Abstract:

This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing development work related to the use of new learning technologies by presenting e-learning platform which has been created as a part of the project: Improving the Effectiveness of Capabilities in EU Conflict Prevention (IECEU).

The IECEU - project is funded under EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020. The IECEU project started in May 2015 and will last until January 2018. The consortium (11 participants from 7 different European countries) consists of both civilian and military research and training organisations. More information on the project is available at: http://www.ieceu-project.com/
The paper will additionally describe how the e-learning platform has been designed to be used as a part of blended learning concept in wider EU crisis management training.

This paper is based on the work conducted as a part of the 33 months lasting research project IECEU and its initial findings. IECEU project seeks to:
1) Analyse and assess the current situation of eight selected on-going or past EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) missions and operations.
2) Identify lessons provided by these missions and assess the challenges and subsequently the options for the future crisis management
3) Provide new solutions, approaches and recommendations for EU to guarantee long-term stability.

The findings of the project are being translated into open source based Drupal/Opigno e-learning platform containing elements of gamification in a form of animations and interactive quizzes. More information on Opigno is available at: https://www.opigno.org/en

Drawing from the results of the IECEU project, this paper has three elements. Firstly, it presents the development work, design and content of the New Media Based Learning Application (NMLA) which has been created as part of the IECEU project. The first version of the platform is available online free of charge at: http://ieceulearning.eu/

NMLA was the term used for the e-learning platform. The content of the platform will be a subject to revisions and improvements during the entire duration of the project (2015 – 2018). Secondly, it describes how the NMLA has been designed to be integrated into relevant and already existing crisis prevention and crisis management training (blended training). And finally, the paper briefly discusses how the new e-learning technologies and approaches have been included into EU’s crisis management so far and how they can contribute to EU’s training practises in the future.

The Paper will provide an account of a process that can help other researchers and stakeholders to identify good practises and pitfalls. Moreover, the article describes the used learning technology, provides description of integrating research project results through e-learning platform into training. In addition, it provides reference and incentive for further research and projects. Finally, the described NMLA can directly be utilized for relevant training purposes especially by the training community as well as by all other interested stakeholders.

Keywords:

Crisis prevention, crisis management, innovation, technology, international research projects, blended learning, curriculum design, e-learning development.