Background

Several Internet-based platforms have been created in recent years, opening for enormous possibilities for the integration of cross-cultural communication in adult education. One of these platforms (TELSI), created with the support of the Telematics in Education & Training Programme, has been especially designed for activities based on the principles of Collaborative Learning (learning through group interaction, learning from discussion with your peers, student autonomy, etc.)

In eCOLE (Internet-based Collaborative Learning in Adult Education) two models based on this concept will be tested.

WebSiteStory(WSS) which is a model for creative writing in foreign language learning. The "stories" will focus on intercultural issues, each country adding its chapter to the "story".

ACROSS is a model for cross-curricula problem solving activities.

The project's objectives are to investigate the potential of Internet-based Collaborative Learning and evaluate different scripts. 

We believe that the two models are tools than can

• enable a holistic approach to Adult Education throughout Europe, by involving several subjects and disciplines in short duration activities at European level (the ACROSS concept)
• motivate adults for creative writing, in their mother tongue and in other European languages (the WebSiteStory concept)

• A sustainable network of adult education institutions
• Examples of best practice scripts combining cross-cultural issues and cross-national curricula.
• An evaluation of the pedagogical activities
• A homepage:

• informing about our collaborative learning projects
• inviting other educational institutions for discussions on Internet-based collaborative learning
• a flyer in six European languages referring to the eCOLE Web-page