e-LIFE e-LEARNING VIRTUAL CENTER FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 e-LIFE Evaluation Report e-LIFE E-LEARNING VIRTUAL CENTER FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use whit may be made of the information contained therein. LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE INTRODUCTION The work not only individual’s having an income but also their social relations, personal satisfaction, happiness and familial relationships etc. Employment has a considerable role in solving the problems of disabled people. What needs to be accepted here is the fact that disabled people needs to be employed more than able bodied people. However, it goes without saying that one of the most disadvantageous fractions of the society in terms of employment is disabled people. Disabled people encounter many challenges in working life. They are more or less a part of employment market depending on the development level of the countries in EU. Attitudes of disabled people as well as their employment are of much importance. However, disabled citizens are maybe the group which feels the discrimination in working life most. Companies prepare job analyses and definitions without considering disabled workers which particularly impacts working methods of disabled people who are newly employed. Also, working place buildings are constructed ignoring some certain physical needs of disabled people which do not allow them to work comfortably. They receive less money due mainly to their being disabled though they do the same work as others. Besides, they are also less likely to be promoted which is another reason alienating disabled people from "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 2/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE working life. This is a clear proof of why disabled people want to work at home. In conclusion, individuals with disabilities are faced with the problems of employment. This means that human resources are going waste in terms of national economies. This project aims to providing a job to people with disabilities with which they can exhibit their knowledge and skills at the highest level through start and builds a successful virtual assistant business and offer guidance to build a thriving practice. Virtual assistance is one of the growing businesses in today‘s computer-driven world and a ideal solution particularly who need work at home jobs due to a disability. Virtual assistance allows them to career, good paying options, and build new skills as a business owner. The project also adopted the principle that each individual in the society must be able to benefit from the right to work in terms of macro employment policy. Employment is the way to prevent disabled people from the feeling that they do not depend on others and they are the burdens of society and to make them see that they are actually a part of society. Thus, they will feel the happiness of being useful. Based on these facts we are opening the doors of e-Training Program for people who are disabled and looking to create a virtual assistant business. Training materials are all on website, in a member’s only resource area and "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 3/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE the program contains six modules. It is better to know that the e-LIFE website offers to people with sight disability, the feature “text to speech”. "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 4/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE METHODOLOGY We are focused on the outcome, so we have used the summative evaluation. The instrument used is questionnaire. For each Module partners developed a questionnaire with multiple answers. Each questionnaire has between 15 – 25 questions. The time for completing a questionnaire was 30 minutes. Partners developed two more questionnaires. One was addressed to virtual assistant and another one to employers/trainers/companies. For these questionnaires we used a Likert scale. The Virtual Assistants and companies should tick one of the followings: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree or Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree. All these questionnaires are attached in Annex. "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 5/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE TESTING PERIOD The testing period has been from June 2013 till November 2013. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS Till the middle of November 2013, 1018 persons have been registered on e-LIFE portal. Almost half of them have done the online questionnaires. Testing was carried out online by all the partners. H FOUNDATION [RO] and FEPAMIC [ES] organized few face-to-face training/testing with some participants with physical disabilities. H FOUNDATION [RO] – organized 3 face-to-face meetings where present the Modules and works on Module 2 (4 persons follow the course and test), Module 4 (6 persons follow the course and test), Module 5 (2 persons follow the course and test) and Module 6 (2 persons follow the course and test). The participants at the face-to-face training/testing receive in the end a certificate. FEPAMIC [ES] – organized 5 face-to-face meetings where present and works with people with disabilities on the Module 1 (4 persons follow the course and test), Module 2 (3 persons follow the course and test), Module "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 6/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE 3 (5 persons follow the course and test) and Module 5 (3 persons follow the course and test). The participants at the face-to-face training/testing receive in the end a certificate. RESULTS The feedback received from the online completion of questionnaires for virtual assistants and companies was positive. In terms of creating job opportunities perceived positive and participants' expectations were met. Positive feedback was received from the learners that participate at face- to-face meetings. They consider that the courses are very interested and they want to participate in the future at this kind of courses but for a long period. SWOT Analysis after the testing: STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Assessment focuses on proficiency May inhibit the introverted learners check, the application and transfer of (may cause stress) knowledge e-training requires perseverance The test has a medium level of To get real benefits, real practice is difficulty and allows learners to solve required the requirements in 30 minutes Self-management culture may be Test checked key competences difficult for some trainees More flexible access to learning Loss the face-to- face richness Qualified course is available online to Lack of interactivity trainees and offer specialized job Lack of space for tutoring and training counselling services "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 7/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE Self- paced, freedom Inexperienced on working with persons e-LIFE web portal accessible 24 hours with disabilities and this site provide many things for trainees what they need to know. Use of best practices No cost OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Eliminate barriers for people with Frequent use of tests can lead to disabilities stereotyped responses etc. Participants are encouraged, and The e-learning can take participants to have the ability to participate in a demotivation working life as virtual assistants Less opportunity to ask the lecturer Other institutions can be used the questions course content and developed it After the end of the project the number This module and e-LIFE training of participants may fall due to the system contributed to the expiration of dissemination and development of human resources for promotional activities people with disabilities Courses have been designed to address the needs for people with disabilities wishing to start their own business nevertheless non-disabled individual who wants to work from home can be used the course Test provides to each learner an image to his/her level of skills Training increases employment possibilities Training focused on key topics with a high potential for employment "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 8/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE ANNEXES "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 9/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE EVALUATION TEST FOR MODULE 1 – e-LIFE Virtual Assistant 1) What is Social Networking for VA? A) Building online networks of contacts and interact with business in a secure environment B) A platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social relations among people, for example, share interests C) The practice of expanding the number of one's social contacts by making connections through individuals D) Includes web-based and mobile technologies used to turn communication into interactive dialogue 2) Who is a virtual assistant? A) Employee B) Employer C) Contractor D) Unemployed 3) Who uses virtual assistants? A) Students B) Retired people C) Government D) Busy people "A Leonardo da Vinci Project" e-LIFE – e-LearningVirtual Center for People with Physical Disabilities 2011-1-RO1-LEO05-15322 10/53 LdV Project “e-LIFE” – e-LIFE 4) Which of the following is not one of the benefits of using a Virtual Assistant for VE? A) VE pay only for “time on task” or by project – there is no payroll expenses, no paid vacation time, no benefits, no bonuses etc.