EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Turkey
Organization(s) Involved: Directorate General of Life Long Learning in Ministry of Education (DGLLL in MoNE)
Contact Person:
Name: Yusuf Taner TEKİN
Position: Project Manager, Turkish NS
SUMMARY
The Directorate General of Life Long Learning in the Ministry of Education (DGLLL in MoNE) is responsible for making policy, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating lifelong learning to disseminate it across Turkey. DGLLL supports citizens who are unable to access formal education, who drop out of school, or who have graduated from formal education by providing common or vocational and technical training through non-formal education.
DGLLL coordinates several national and international projects, such as Erasmus+ and IPA, and it is responsible for promoting the electronic platform of adult learning in Europe (EPALE) across Turkey. The project targets formal and non-formal adult education organizations, teachers, trainers, academics, and representatives of public authorities responsible for public and vocational education. The main activities involve face-to-face meetings and participation in other events in the adult education sector, with promotion provided by ambassadors for formal adult education and multipliers for non-formal adult education.
OBJECTIVES
- To promote lifelong learning and adult education through the EPALE platform in Turkey.
- To coordinate national and international projects on behalf of the Ministry of National Education.
- To build relationships with key stakeholders in adult learning across Turkey.
- To ensure multilingual support and content contribution to the EPALE platform.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
The Directorate General of Life Long Learning has a long history of promoting adult education in Turkey. Since the 1960s, various forms of adult education initiatives have been established to provide non-formal education to the citizens of Turkey. The EPALE project builds upon these historical efforts, aiming to enhance adult learning by utilizing modern platforms and promoting it across the country.
The history of adult learning in Turkey highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to adapt and modernize educational approaches to meet the needs of all citizens, including those who have been unable to access formal education.
IMPLEMENTATION: ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGIES
PROJECT OUTCOMES & LESSONS LEARNED
Main Outcomes:
- Increased awareness and usage of the EPALE platform among adult education organizations in Turkey.
- Strengthened relationships with key stakeholders in the adult education sector.
- Enhanced content and multilingual support on the EPALE platform.
Lessons Learned:
- The importance of face-to-face engagement in promoting online platforms.
- The need for ongoing support and training for stakeholders to fully utilize the EPALE platform.
- The value of using ambassadors and multipliers to reach a broader audience.
IMPACT
Impact on Community:
The project has significantly increased awareness of lifelong learning opportunities among adult education providers in Turkey. It has fostered a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, benefiting both individuals and the broader community.
Youth Involvement:
Although the project primarily targets adult education providers, younger educators and trainers have been involved in the promotion and dissemination of the EPALE platform.