Piloting

The pilot testing phase of HELP has now finished. However we would still appreciate your feedback! If you have used our products and wish to tell us your thoughts on them, please contact Emma Beatty at emmabeatty@fit.ie . Thank you, we are grateful for your time and comments.

Description:

Test the learning content and environments, developed in previous activities in practice and to gather information on how to further develop /improve it.

This means that we tested for:

• suitability in formal learning settings the testing in training institutions mainly based on the HELP learning materials – printed version and audio-video material, evaluating content, methods, supporting media and results; verifying suggested proceedings, environments for learner-centred and cooperative learning, (self-) assessment tools etc.;
• suitability of the platform for formal learning arrangements/cooperative learning settings – user friendly interface, presentation, functionalities etc. and for informal learning for healthcare students, healthcare professionals working abroad and for professionals working in the countries who need to improve competences for working in medical tourism or other environments that require professional English and intercultural competences. This includes the assessment of the guide for self-paced learning.

Once pilot implementation is finished, the data were assessed and improvements defined. An emphasis was given on the exchange of experiences and good practices between the partners.  Finally, improvements were agreed and implemented.

Implementation:

P4 developed a pilot plan template and questionnaires. Based on templates, partners presented their pilot plans and translated questionnaires (if necessary) to assure quality and provide guidance to the piloting process;

Partners presented national pilot plans. Due to the targets established above, the mentioned tools will have to include these target groups and specify sections/approaches that will be tested.

Based on national reports, each partner prepared a file with suggestions for further development for discussion and approval by P2 and partners. Obvious mistakes or weaknesses were communicated as soon as they are identified during piloting and were  corrected immediately.

Piloting workshops were organised in order to explain the new tools and approaches to pedagogical staff and students, explanation of the assessment tools and as an invitation to contribute. Partners also dealt with the challenge to involve healthcare professionals who work abroad and/or in their countries (medical tourism) that will test the informal learning offers. In order to have a reasonable number of qualitative feedbacks, at least ten informal learners did the testing from each testing organisation.

Focus was on qualitative evaluation. Statements and numbers from the questionnaires were gathered and a national report was prepared and presented in digital form to participants, key players and stakeholders as well other interested parties. The overall piloting report was presented by the WP leader (P2) and is available in English for to all interested parties.

Click here for a detailed analysis and the overall piloting report.

Activities:

03 –A3.1: Pilot Plans, questionnaires and interview guides

03 –A3.2: National and overall piloting reports

03 –A3.3: Database with Pilot data of HELP linguistic and intercultural relevance