In particular, the online MOOC platform was designed and developed by DAISSy-HOU in English. Similarly, the learning content of the MOOC is offered in English, and is organized into three (3) training modules, that host e-learning courses developed in response to societal challenges and using the “challenge-based learning” (CBL) approach.

Specifically, the learning content of the LEARN.INC MOOC consists of various types [e.g. Open Educational Resources (OERs), lectures, video scripts, presentations, reading material], collected and developed in order to enhance collaboration among learners, as well as learning through forums and discussions. It is noteworthy, that the trainees have the opportunity to assess their progress at the end of each training module, by using short quizzes.

More precisely, regarding the LEARN.INC MOOC:

• It starts on Monday, January 13, 2025, has a total duration of four (4) weeks and is available until Sunday, February 9, 2025.
• It is offered free of charge and is open to anyone interested in it,
• Registration is compulsory and can be done by submitting the relevant form.

It is noteworthy that the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU is actively involved in all the deliverables of the LEARN.INC project, being responsible for the development of the “OPENARC-Open Access Archive of Digital Courses” methodology regarding the creation and implementation of an open access digital archive, including the LEARN.INC platform as well as the Massive Open Online Courses in video format.

Taking into account, DAISSy-HOU’s longterm experience, among others, in the development of MOOCs, the Research Group has worked intensively to provide a modern educational tool to any interested party.

LEARN.INC is a three-year project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey), with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU as the Greek partner.

For more information on the LEARN.INC project and other activities of DAISSy:

• Websites: https://daissy.eu/ and https://learn-inc.eu/
• Facebook: @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email: info@daissy.eap.gr

The event is addressed to higher education institutions, local research and training institutes, postgraduate and PhD students, researchers, academic staff, civil society organisations and local stakeholders and is open to all.

• Participation is free of charge and open to all, at international level.
• Registration to online participation is done by submitting the corresponding form
• Online participation is possible using the following link
• A certificate of attendance will be issued to any interested party who wishes for it.

The event regards the dissemination of the results of the “Learning Incubator for Project-based Teaching and Training through Research (LEARN.INC)” European project, which is implemented by DAISSy-HOU as the Greek partner. In particular, “VOCIS” an online platform will be presented, about the collaboration between students and university teaching staff, offering a preparatory course for challenge-based learning.

Furthermore, the “PROTINC” will be presented, an online incubator that highlights sustainable projects from VOCIS, developing courses according to the priorities of the European Union (G.I.F.T. / Green, Inclusive, Fit for Digital, Transparent.

Finally, the “OPENARC” methodology will be analyzed, regarding the creation and implementation of an open access digital archive, including the LEARN.INC platform as well as the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in video format, ensuring high quality teaching.

LEARN.INC is a three-year project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey), with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU as the Greek partner.

For more information on the LEARN.INC project and other activities of DAISSy:

• Websites : https://daissy.eu/, https://learn-inc.eu/
• Facebook : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email : info@daissy.eap.gr

Specifically, the final LEARN.INC conference is addressed to higher education institutions, local research and training institutes, postgraduate and PhD students, researchers, academic staff, civil society organisations and local stakeholders. The aim of the conference is to explore the role of challenge-based education in academia, putting emphasis on the dissemination of the results of the LEARN.INC project. In this context, the two-day conference will address important issues in academic education, such as the impact of challenge-based methodologies on students, innovative pedagogical methods and paradigm shifts in research and teaching, and the role of communities and partnerships in building socially responsible Universities.

In particular, the international conference will include a thorough presentation of the LEARN.INC project results and deliverables. More precisely, the “VOCIS” online platform for collaboration between students and university faculty, offering a preparatory course for challenge-based learning, will be presented. Next, “PROTINC”, an online incubator that highlights sustainable projects from VOCIS, developing courses in line with the priorities of the European Union (G.I.F.T. / Green, Inclusive, Fit for Digital, Transparent) will be analysed. Finally, the “OPENARC” methodology will be presented regarding the creation and implementation of an open access digital archive, including the LEARN.INC platform as well as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in video format, ensuring high quality teaching.

It is noteworthy that:

• Representatives of the partner Universities will be speakers at the international conference, as well as participants of the Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, who will share exciting experiences from the research field.
• The official language of the conference is English.
• Participation in the conference is free of charge.
• Registration is compulsory and can be done by submitting the corresponding form

LEARN.INC is a three-year project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey), with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU as the Greek partner.

For more information on the LEARN.INC project and other activities of DAISSy:

• Websites : https://daissy.eu/ https://learn-inc.eu/
• Facebook : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email : info@daissy.eap.gr

More specifically, Learn.Inc focuses on fostering creativity and redesigning learning spaces through Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) for graduate-level students (MA and PhDs). Therefore, it will promote innovation in student-centered learning and teaching, with students co-designing flexible and modular e-learning formats that are developed in response to pertinent societal issues.

Within this concept, Learn.Inc seeks to transform the way that University courses are developed and taught, ensuring the course content responds to societal needs and that it encourages active learning, recognizes students’ own research and excellence in the co-design and delivery of teaching. A Knowledge database was developed in the previous stages of the project, containing a list with societal challenges, identified based on the discussions with stakeholders from partner countries and also results of the projects proposed and developed by students with support from project teams.

Currently, the Learn.Inc call is addressed to faculty and students, inviting them to creatively redesign and conceptualize the research and results from the experimentations in the previous steps of the project, in order to develop new course content (short online courses, seminars, workshops) and pilot new learning resources.

Participation is open to all, by completing a respective form, using the following link. Important dates:

• 22 – 25 July 2024: collecting applicants’ proposals
• 26 July 2024: proposal evaluation
• 29 July 2024: final results

The Learn.Inc is a three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, in the framework of the “ERASMUS+/Key Program Action 2 Sector: Partnerships for Cooperation in a field of Higher Education” program. It is implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Greece) with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU being the Greek partner, responsible for the implementation of all actions at national level and participating in all project intellectual outputs.

For more information about the Learn.Inc project and other activities of DAISSy-HOU:

• Websites : https://daissy.eu/ and https://learn-inc.eu/
• Facebook : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email : info@daissy.eap.gr

In particular, with regard to the CBL student competition of the Learn.Inc project, it is noteworthy that:

• It is addressed to all postgraduate and PhD students of Greek Universities.
• It is carried out in cooperation with Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (Romania), Sofia University St. Clement Ohridski (Bulgaria), Canakkale Onsekiz Mart Universitesi (Turkey) and Research & Training Foundation Point Foundation (Bulgaria).

The aim of the student competition is to highlight innovative ideas in order to solve cutting-edge problems of socio-economic reality. By bringing learning and formal education closer to the agenda of the society and the local communities, the Learn.Inc project seeks to create a supportive environment for the launch of “bottom-up” initiatives, accessible to both the teachers and the students, so that they all develop knowledge in a flexible way. At the same time, research is a key element of the whole process, where students will follow personalized learning paths that will lead them to their own results and achievements. The need of the students to interface with both private businesses and social organizations, is the impetus of the CBL student competition.

More precisely, the participants of the CBL competition are invited to develop a short idea, so that learning takes place through the identification, the analysis and the design of a solution to a real social, technical  or business problem. Looking for answers to the above stages, students are invited to present their scientific proposals to an Evaluation Committee, consisting of representatives of the Learn.Inc project team and the associated partner institutions.

As a result, the participants in the CBL student competition will have the opportunity to be involved in a creative process of participatory training (in collaboration with other users and groups from the University and business community) in order to develop skills, aiming at experiencing their idea being shaped and transformed into a complete application. A pitching exchange among the various ideas will be part of the competition, to be followed by an evaluation process and an award to the most innovative proposals.

The CBL student competition of the Learn.Inc project includes the following phases:

• Submission of applications: 4^th March – 11^th March 2024 (using the following link: https://www.learn-inc.eu/en/profile )
• Selection of candidates : 12^th– 15^th March 2024
• Implementation of the competition : March 2024

The Learn.Inc is a three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, in the framework of the “ERASMUS+/Key Program Action 2 Sector: Partnerships for Cooperation in a field of Higher Education” program. It is implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Greece) with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU being the Greek partner, responsible for the implementation of all actions at national level and participating in all project intellectual outputs.

For more information about the Learn. Inc project and other actions of DAISSy – HOU:

• Website     : https://daissy.eu/ and https://www.learn-inc.eu/en/
• Facebook   : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin     : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter       : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram  : @daissy_researchgroup
• Email          : info@daissy.eap.gr

In particular, with regard to the CBL student competition of the Learn.Inc project, it is noteworthy that:

• It is addressed to all postgraduate and post doc students of Greek Universities.
• It is carried out in cooperation with Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (Romania), Sofia University St. Clement Ohridski (Bulgaria), Canakkale Onsekiz Mart Universitesi (Turkey) and Research & Training Foundation Point Foundation (Bulgaria).

The aim of the student competition is to highlight innovative ideas in order to solve cutting-edge problems of socio-economic reality. By bringing learning and formal education closer to the agenda of the society and the local communities, the Learn.Inc project seeks to create a supportive environment for the launch of “bottom-up” initiatives, accessible to both the teachers and the students, so that they all develop knowledge in a flexible way. At the same time, research is a key element of the whole process, where students will follow personalized learning paths that will lead them to their own results and achievements. The need of the students to interface with both private businesses and social organizations, is the impetus of the CBL student competition.

More precisely, the participants of the CBL competition are invited to develop a short idea, so that learning takes place through the identification, the analysis and the design of a solution to a real social, technical  or business problem. Looking for answers to the above stages, students are invited to present their scientific proposals to an Evaluation Committee, consisting of representatives of the Learn.Inc project team and the associated partner institutions.

As a result, the participants in the CBL student competition will have the opportunity to be involved in a creative process of participatory training (in collaboration with other users and groups from the University and business community) in order to develop skills, aiming at experiencing their idea being shaped and transformed into a complete application. A pitching exchange among the various ideas will be part of the competition, to be followed by an evaluation process and an award to the most innovative proposals.

The CBL student competition of the Learn.Inc project includes the following phases:

• Submission of applications: 23^rd November- 4^th December 2023 (using the following link: https://www.learn-inc.eu/en/profile )
• Selection of candidates : 4^th to 8^th December 2023
• Implementation of the competition : November to December 2023

The Learn.Inc is a three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, in the framework of the “ERASMUS+/Key Program Action 2 Sector: Partnerships for Cooperation in a field of Higher Education” program. It is implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Greece) with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU being the Greek partner, responsible for the implementation of all actions at national level and participating in all project intellectual outputs.

For more information about the Learn. Inc project and other actions of DAISSy – HOU:

• Website     : https://daissy.eu/  and https://www.learn-inc.eu/en/
• Facebook   : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin     : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter       : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram  : @daissy_researchgroup
• Email          : info@daissy.eap.gr

The 3^rd TPM of the “LEARN.INC” project, hosted by Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, the Turkish partner, brought together a diverse group of participants from the partner institutions, representing a broad spectrum of expertise and experience within the education sector. The DAISSy Research Group of the Hellenic Open University (HOU), the Greek partner, sharing valuable long-term related experience was actively involved within all sessions of the two-day TPM. Fruitful discussions and knowledge exchange during the meeting, marked the progress of the deliverables based on the project’s core objectives.

More precisely, the two-day TPM involved twelve (12) partner representatives on-site and additionally four (4) representatives on-line, so that all five (5) project partners, from four (4) countries, take part, namely: Lucian Blanga University of Sibiu- LBUS (Romania), Hellenic Open University-HOU (Greece), COMU (Turkey), Research & Training Point- RTP (Bulgaria), and University of Sofia – UniSofia (Bulgaria).

During the first TMP day, the team members carried out a comprehensive overview of the activities completed so far, highlighting the project achievements and strategies for success. Each University partner presented the main accomplishments for the first eighteen (18) months of the project implementation, as well as the forthcoming activities planned to be completed. Key topics of discussion also included the communication and dissemination strategies, as well as the quality assurance measures to ensure excellence in outcomes and impact. The project management and financial oversight procedures were assessed, as part of the project’s ongoing monitoring and evaluation plan.

Within the same framework, the consortium focused on a few of the main project topics, such as the proposed content of the training modules and their application in the virtual platform. It also led to reviewing specific administrative and financial issues, the monitoring of quality aspects as well as the sharing and promotion of activities, including the communication strategy concerning the recent period of the project implementation.

This was followed by partners’ presentations regarding the evolvement of project activities based on their responsibilities. The DAISSy Research Group of the HOU was represented by Mrs Vasiliki Takouli, Project Manager and Administrator of DAISSy, who delivered a speech regarding the structure of the methodology for the creation of an Open Access Archive of Digital Courses (OPENARC), a series of 12 common online courses in MOOC format. All the content will be derived from the two previous work packages, will be made digital, in various media (videos, presentations, etc.) and will become a resource for learning and teaching in the collaborating HEIs. She explained the concept and put questions to be considered by the partners for the next implementation steps. Then she participated actively in the elaboration and the agreement on certain aspects about the related LEARN.INC upcoming activities.

The second TPM day was dedicated to a visit at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, a meeting with Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt ERENOĞLU, Rector of COMU, where discussion evolved about the project activities and achievements as well as opportunities for further cooperation between the partner institutions, including through new projects in the field of education and research. Following the official part, delegates visited the facilities of COMU and learnt more about the study programs offered by the University.

The 3^rd TPM of LEARN.INC was successful! The partners joined the two-day sessions with interest and team spirit, bringing added value perceived by all participants.

The LEARN.INC is a three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, under the Erasmus+ Programme, aiming at enhancing education quality and empowering educators to employ challenge-based methods for innovative teaching and learning in academia.

For more information on the LEARN.INC project and other activities of DAISSy:

• Website : https://daissy.eu/, https://learn-inc.eu/
• Facebook : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email : info@daissy.eap.gr

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, equipping educators with innovative teaching techniques and digital readiness is essential. The LEARN.INC project is committed to empowering educators with innovative teaching techniques, digital readiness, and transversal skills development. In the wake of this idea, a Training of Trainers workshop was implemented at the headquarters of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) in Patras (Greece), which highlighted the significant benefits for participants and the broader community.

During the workshop, educators representing the LEARN.INC partners, i.e. Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (Romania), Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski (Bulgaria), Research & Training Point Foundation from (Bulgaria), Hellenic Open University (Greece) and Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (Turkey), who were exposed to a range of innovative pedagogical techniques, allowing them to create more engaging and interactive learning experiences. These insights, coupled with a focus on digital readiness, equipped educators with the skills and tools necessary to effectively leverage digital technologies in their teaching practices.

One of the workshop’s key emphases regarded the development of transversal skills, including problem-solving and critical thinking. Trainees were encouraged to explore challenge-based research and practice, enhancing their own skills while gaining valuable tools to help their students excel in an ever-changing job market.

Moreover, the workshop fostered networking and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. This networking not only facilitated knowledge sharing but also opened doors for future partnerships, further enriching the educational ecosystem.

Beyond these strengths acquired by the participants, the impact of such initiatives extends to communities and stakeholders. The enhancement of education quality through well-prepared graduates benefits local communities by producing individuals better equipped to meet the demands of the modern job market. Communities also benefit from the potential for dynamic community programs and initiatives that result from engaging with educators exposed to innovative teaching methods and digital tools.

In essence, the LEARN.INC Train of Trainers workshop serves as a beacon of hope for education communities. It emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development for educators and ensures that they remain at the forefront of innovation in education. As the world evolves, so must our teaching methods and approaches, and workshops like this play a pivotal role in making that a reality.

The three-day Tot involved ten (10) partner representatives on-site as well as six (6) additional representative on-line, so that all project partners take part.

The LEARN.INC is a three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, under the Erasmus+ Programme. It is implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey) with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU being the Greek partner.

For more information on the Learn.Inc project and other activities of DAISSy:

• Website : https://daissy.eu/ https://learn-inc.eu/
• Facebook : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email : info@daissy.eap.gr

In particular, with regard to the CBL student competition of the Learn.Inc project, it is noteworthy that:

• It is addressed to all postgraduate and post doc students of Greek Universities.
• It is carried out in cooperation with Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (Romania), Sofia University St. Clement Ohridski (Bulgaria), Canakkale Onsekiz Mart Universitesi (Turkey) and Research & Training Foundation Point Foundation (Bulgaria).

The aim of the student competition is to highlight innovative ideas in order to solve cutting-edge problems of socio-economic reality. By bringing learning and formal education closer to the agenda of the society and the local communities, the Learn.Inc project seeks to create a supportive environment for the launch of “bottom-up” initiatives, accessible to both the teachers and the students, so that they all develop knowledge in a flexible way. At the same time, research is a key element of the whole process, where students will follow personalized learning paths that will lead them to their own results and achievements. The need of the students to interface with both private businesses and social organizations, is the impetus of the CBL student competition.

More precisely, the participants of the CBL competition are invited to develop a short idea, so that learning takes place through the identification, the analysis and the design of a solution to a real social, technical  or business problem. Looking for answers to the above stages, students are invited to present their scientific proposals to an Evaluation Committee, consisting of representatives of the Learn.Inc project team and the associated partner institutions.

As a result, the participants in the CBL student competition will have the opportunity to be involved in a creative process of participatory training (in collaboration with other users and groups from the University and business community) in order to develop skills, aiming at experiencing their idea being shaped and transformed into a complete application. A pitching exchange among the various ideas will be part of the competition, to be followed by an evaluation process and an award to the most innovative proposals.

The CBL student competition of the Learn.Inc project includes the following phases:

• Submission of applications: 22^nd June – 7^th July 2023 (using the following link: https://www.learn-inc.eu/en/profile )
• Selection of candidates : 8th to 11th July 2023
• Implementation of the competition : July to November 2023

The Learn.Inc is a three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, in the framework of the “ERASMUS+/Key Program Action 2 Sector: Partnerships for Cooperation in a field of Higher Education” program. It is implemented by a consortium of five (5) partners from four (4) countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Greece) with the DAISSy Research Group of the HOU being the Greek partner, responsible for the implementation of all actions at national level and participating in all project intellectual outputs.

For more information about the Learn. Inc project and other actions of DAISSy – HOU:

• Website     : https://daissy.eu/  and https://www.learn-inc.eu/en/
• Facebook   : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin     : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
• Twitter       : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram  : @daissy_researchgroup
• Email          : info@daissy.eap.gr

Welcome messages were addressed by prof. Achilles Kameas, Vice-dean, School of Science and Technology, HOU, and Delia Stefenel, director of international relations at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.

The delegates from partner universities: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu from Romania; Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski from Bulgaria; members of the DAISSy research group from Hellenic Open University from Greece; Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University from Turkey and Research & Training Point Foundation from Bulgaria, discussed the actual state of the project and the next steps, in terms of project management, financial issues, dissemination plan and quality assurance.

There were also presentations and discussions on the main results of the projects: Virtual Open Common Inter-University Sandbox, Project-based Teaching Incubator and Open Access Archive of Digital Courses, and on such subjects like MOOC technical specifications, European Financial instruments and partnership opportunities

The project partners had a meeting with prof. Efstathios Efstathopoulos, Vice-President for Administrative Affairs, Academic Affairs and Student Welfare at Hellenic Open University. In this meeting, the necessary introductions were made between the representatives, who talked about the work of the university institutions, that they represent, and how they believe their institutions and their researchers will contribute to the project. Afterwards they discussed the current status of the project, the plan for the dissemination of the project as well as the possibilities for future collaborations.

LEARN.INC aims to advance teaching and learning innovation in the partner Higher education institutions in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey, through cross-institutional collaboration, knowledge sharing and networking which extends beyond academia and seeks inspiration, feedback and validation from local communities and stakeholders. The Project focuses on fostering creativity and redesigning learning spaces through challenge-based learning for graduate-level students (MA and PhDs); more specifically, we aim to promote innovation in student-centered learning and teaching, with students co-designing flexible and modular e-learning formats that are developed in response to pertinent societal issues.

For more information on the Learn.Inc project and other DAISSy projects and activities:

• Website DAISSy: https://daissy.eu/
• Facebook : @DAISSyResearchGroup
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/workingsmartproject/
• Twitter : https://twitter.com/daissy_research
• Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
• Email : info@daissy.eap.gr