HoTEL (HOlistic approach to Technology Enhanced Learning)
The assumption based on which the project was conceived is that the innovation cycle (idea -> prototype -> test -> innovation -> market) in the field of TEL is so long that it seldom leads to exploitable innovations and often traps potentially disruptive innovations into the chronological limits of EU-funded projects in the field.
HoTEL tried to address this challenge by designing and testing an innovation support model (specific for TEL) in three labs – the HoTEL Learning Exploratoria- that run for a period of nine months (from September 2013 till June 2014).
The Learning Exploratorium Labs acted in the field of adult learning covering respectively: the higher education setting, the corporate setting, the informal learning setting within professional networks.
An Open call for innovators was launched in June 2013 to gather applications from TEL innovators to become members of the Labs and have their innovations discussed and /or tested within the Labs.
The innovations selected dealt with TEL in one of the settings covered by the Labs. They covered some technologies relevant to the emerging technology landscape in the field of TEL and to key learning theories influencing innovation in TEL as identified by HoTEL.
Based on the piloting activities of the Exploratoria, the HOTEL Innovation Support Model was developed. See http://hotel-project.eu/The_Innovation_model
Methodology and associated work plan
The project will be deployed in three districted phases, accompanied by a number of transversal activities (WPs):
- During the first phase, the three approaches to identify new ways of using technology to support learning that compose the HOTEL innovation cycle will be explored. On one hand, the WP1 will deal with emerging technology analysis, spotting what technologies are expected to emerge in the next ten years. On the other, WP2 will “filter” learning theories through practices and WP3 will analyze emerging technologies for learning, starting from the grassroots.
- During the second phase, the project will work to explore original ways to use ICT in the field of learning in the three above-mentioned main contexts.WP4 plans to create three Learning Exploratorium Labs in order to validate TEL research and to adopt a fully holistic perspective on the manifold possibilities of ICT to enhance learning, mostly informal and non-formal one.
- During the whole project duration, two transversal WPs will run: WP5 amis to build and multiplicate targeted awareness, making sure that the results of the project experimentations and the proposed innovation cycle are disseminated to all the relevant stakeholders group. WP6 is dedicated to project management and evaluation, which runs throughout the 24 months of project duration.
Sources of funding
FP7 Programme-ICT-Call 8, Grant Agreement: 318530. 2012-2014
Project Objectives
Based on the problems identified above, the HOTEL Support Action aims to contribute to more effective, holistic and faster innovation cycles in European TEL, by increasing quality at the level of the cycle itself and of the different phases foreseen, that can be replicated in the future. In order to establish a sustainable working paradigm (the HOTEL Innovation Cycle), HOTEL is taking inspiration from the “Deming Cycle” model, a model designed for continuously improved quality of processes and effectiveness.