Digital technologies are quickly changing education and is bringing many opportunities for schools & training organisations, impacting what, where & how education is delivered. However, the adoption of these technologies remain slower than seen in other industries. One study by the European Commission (Survey of Schools: ICT in Education) found that only 25% of students in the European Union are taught by digitally confident and supportive teachers, while another study by the OECD found that 56% of teachers report that they have “moderate to high development needs” when it comes to using technology at work. In addition, teachers fail to appreciate the digital opportunities which exist and those which are due to open up in the near future. Building the digital skills of teachers & students is a vital step in actually benefiting from technology in education. Various teachers are ready to accept the wave of digitization but more effort still need to be exercised when it comes to teacher training. Outmoded teaching and training methods need to meet with 21st century teaching & learning trends. The IDEAL project aims to help educators, teachers & trainers in (in)formal adult education to understand & put digital education into practice. IDEAL will promote modern pedagogies, training methods & teaching practices, and develop learning materials and tools that support the effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education & training. As a result, the project will promote digital literacy, skills & inclusion for both teachers & learners. The IDEAL project will be executed by a partnership of seven organisation from 6 different EU countries: - Enseña (ES), a training center for employment providing training services to contribute to the development and qualification of both workers & companies. - Eolas (ES), provides services & support to all enterprises, organisations & entities with demands in the field of the design & management of projects. - Inqubator Leeuwarden (NL), provides training & coaching to starting companies to firmly establish their business and to help them maximise their personal growth. - Expontential Training & Assessment (UK), is working with learners in over 50 countries undertaking professional development & qualifications in management & leadership, coaching & mentoring, business support & management consulting. - CrystalClearSoft (EL), expert in e-learning, develops its own learning tools ranging from e-learning platforms offering personalised learning environments, serious games, simulations, immersive environments etc. - North-East Regional Development Agency is authorized as provider of training & education by the National Authority for Qualification and carries out this activity under their North-East Regional Studies Center (CRS). - Eurocrea Merchant (IT) is a consulting & training company that aims to improve the competitiveness of the European society through business development, training & creation of transnational partnership. The project uses a clear, complete & high quality methodology, including the 3 phases: 1. Strategy (activities Preparation & Research) 2. Development, Implementation & Testing (activities Development & Alpha testing, and Implementation & Beta testing) 3. Review, Finalisation and Dissemination (activities Review & Finalisation, and Dissemination) What makes this project innovative is that the IDEAL project aims to provide a complete package of materials and tools which has been divided into steps that are built on a very logical succession and therefore form a whole. The following results will be developed in the IDEAL project: - IDEAL Campaign (IO1) to inform and convince educators, teachers and trainers involved in adult education about the opportunities and benefits of digital education - IDEAL Teacher Manual (IO2) describing step-by-step HOW digital tools and ICT can be implemented in their teaching practices and strategies - IDEAL Toolkit (IO3) that provides teachers, trainers and educators with a comprehensive toolkit that offers the best digital & modern tools to use and easily, quickly and directly implement in their course or training - IDEAL online platform (IO4) to make the materials easily accessible & free of charge The IDEAL project expects to have an impact on: - Teachers & learners in adult education as IDEAL will lead to professional development - Organisations involved in adult education (including the project partners), as through the project, organisations look at how digital technology can support the development of new training and teaching methods and improve the effectiveness and impact of courses. In addition, IDEAL will contribute to the development of modern & digital education focused on 21st century skills. It will also change the perceptions of the importance of digital skills. Finally it will also fight EU’s crisis of shortage of employees with digital skills.