InterActInternet-based problem solving

role-play in working life

Randi HusemoenMargrethe Marstrøm Svensrud

InterAct

• Model for enhancing Basic Skills at the workplace

• Problem solving role-plays / simulations

• Internet-based learning platform

• Flexibility• Short term, well

structured activities• Learner centred activities

within predefined frames

Motivation

Enhance basic skills

Maintain skills

What happens?

4Negotiation

5New

joint solution

1Task

2Solution

3Problem

Problem solving

role-plays/ simulations

The simulation

Welcome &The first task

The simulation: The roles

• SkjermbildedumpI am AnneNurse, 34, from Finland

My house

My favourite food

One solution

What should we doand why?

The simulation: Negotioations

Motivational factors

• Real communication between participants

• The simulation resembles reality• A playful and engaging approach• Active participants, but tutors are

important• Peer learning contributes to lowering

the fear of performance • Room for creativity

Output

Meaningful training in • The use of the Internet and relevant software• Reading and writing• Communication• Creating documents• Taking initiative• Finding solutions to problems• Negotiations• Working in groups to find joint solutions

Developed through European projects

• Foreign language learning in formal education

• Basic skills at the workplace • ICT-skills, language learning,

international trade and intercultural awareness in the field of business and administration

InterAct in Basic Competence in Working Life (BCW)

• Apply InterAct to different contexts• Learning activities internal in single

organisation• Learning activities in co-operation

between organisations

Experiences from BCW

• InterAct in Akershus University Hospital• InterAct in three enterprises

Rehabilitation related to employability – Lillehammer Produkter AS– Lunner Produkter AS– Valdres Kompetansevekst AS

InterAct in Akershus University Hospital

• Preparing to move into a fully digitalised hospital

• New ways of organising the hospital• New tasks and functions• Need for new competences

• 18 cleaners participated• Participants from seven countries• Poor skills in Norwegian• Most of them had low ICT skills

InterAct in three enterprises

• Rehabilitation related to employability • 13 participants – both regular employees and employees in

rehabilitation

• Continuously dependant on new commissions• Need for especially adapted tasks for employees on job

rehabilitation• Employees involved in the adaptation of the production due to

changes in the market

• Need for strengthening the basic skills to take part in the processes above to strengthen their employability to apply for regular jobs

• Each enterprise too small to develop an autonomous learning environment

Why InterAct?

• The enterprises wanted to try new learning models

• Learning objectives– Motivate for the ongoing changes and the new

tasks– Better oral and written language skills– Improve digital competences– Increase self esteem

Lesson learned

• Two very different target groups– One group with mainly immigrant learners– One group with only Norwegian speaking participants

• The script must be adapted to the target group– Complexity in language– Complexity in tasks– Total work load– Possibility of adapting the script during the

simulation

• The role of the tutor is important

It works!!!

• Improved basic skills, especially ICT• Having fun • Engaging• Learning without noticing• Overcoming fear of writing and using

ICT• Feeling more confident in

communicating with others• Increased self esteem

Not the only solution

A short term InterAct activity is not to significantly improve low basic skills,

but• You get started• It’s different from a traditional learning

situation• Gives an instant feeling of

accomplishmentShould be followed up by other learning

activities