European project MI.FA
Web multimedia for distance learning

n° I/98/1/69188/PI/I.1.1.e/FPC
Id: 98/69188

    The project “Web multimedia for distance learning” (MI.FA.) is part of the “Leonardo da Vinci” European programme which is mainly financed by the European Commission. 
    Started in 1998 on the initiative of the I.T.C.G. “E.Fermi” School in Pontedera (Pisa), which is also the coordinator of four Italian partners, a French one and a Greek one, it actually started in 1999 and finished in the year 2001.

    Its aim is for adults, who for various reasons are at a disadvantage in the working world and who want to acquire new or broader knowledge in order to gain more ready access to the job market or to improve their working position. It is meant, therefore, for immigrants, unemployed, underemployed, etc.

    The products (a Cd rom and a web site: www.itcgfermi.it/leonardo) have been studied for “distance formation”, so that those who are interested can educate themselves and even assess their own abilities. For this reason, the Formation Centres, the Job Centres, the Centres for Adult Education and the Vocational Guidance Centres for Young People, etc., must necessarily install a work station with a PC and a CD reader, eventually connected to the Internet, where, on established days and in set hours, the above mentioned people can go and follow the course or the chosen courses, if necessary with the assistance of a "tutor". The person responsible for the Formation Centre will then grant an "attendance" certificate.

    The proposed subjects to be dealt with are:

    The treatment of the subjects (see also the instructions for use) is organized in modules subdivided into didactic units. The time necessary to study and test each subject has been estimated in a minimum of 20 hours up to a maximum of 40 hours. At the end of each module, and sometimes at the end of each didactic unit, there is an assessment "test" (in most cases a multiple choice test, in certain cases a true/false test).

The modules of the various subjects presuppose different prerequisites: sometimes a basic education, sometimes a higher level of education. Within the modules some didactic units are at a medium-low level, others at a medium-high level. Those few at a high level are indicated as widenings (elaboration). In general the levels, or the prerequisites, or the different sections suggested to the user are indicated in the various courses. The assessment exercises are interactive and can be carried out directly on-line. At the end they state the result obtained. The final outcome of the test, with the indication of the name, of the date  and of the mark obtained, can be printed. There is only one correct answer.

    The modules of Languages and of Law (institutions) are differentiated according to the country (although they contain summaries, references and suggestions in other languages). The module of Electronics is in Italian, English and French. The modules of Information Technology and Building Technology contain some "abstracts" in English and some "résumés" in French, but the predominant part is in Italian.

    Finally it is necessary to underline that the present project, exactly because of its very nature, cannot be ever considered really completed and therefore it is a “programma aperto / work in progress / travail en cours”, waiting for confirmation from the Formation Centres, and because it is subject to changes and integration. Therefore the CD was finished on 31^st March 2001, while the site will stay open until 1^st June 2001. The continuation of the works is possible if the project will be considered satisfactory and will be financed again by the European Commission, which we must finally thank for the opportunity given to us.

Tabula gratulatoria