As March comes to an end, the DOEER (Digital and Open Education for Equality-based Resilience) project is set to take a significant step forward with its upcoming Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA) in Slovenia between the 24th and 28th of March as a way to promote equality in the tourism sector. This event is a key milestone for the project as we move from theory to practice, testing DOEER’s open massive open online course (MOOC) in real-life environments.

What is DOEER?

For those who have been following our journey with DOEER, you’ll remember that this is an innovative project focused on tackling discrimination and promoting equality-based practices in higher education institutions and businesses. By utilizing digital learning, the project seeks to create open, flexible, and high-quality educational resources that will cultivate a more inclusive and resilient society.

With partners from Italy, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Slovenia, DOEER is a collaborative effort to integrate digital tools, micro-credentials, and pedagogical approaches that support non-discriminatory practices in various sectors, including higher education and tourism. As part of its implementation, DOEER will take a major step forward with an upcoming Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from March 24th to 28th. Hosted by Zavod Novi turizem (ZNT), this five-day event will mark the first major testing phase of the DOEER MOOC, a Massive Open Online Course designed to promote equality-based learning in the tourism sector. Unlike previous project stages, which focused on development and planning, this LTTA will bring the DOEER methodology into real-life applications, allowing students and learners to engage with the MOOC and assess its impact on education and professional training in tourism.

During LTTA, higher education students and learners from partner and associated organizations will actively engage with the DOEER MOOC. The training will follow a blended learning approach, integrating online modules with interactive in-person discussions and activities to create a comprehensive and immersive experience. Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate the course content, assess its usability, and determine its effectiveness in promoting equality-based learning within tourism businesses. Meanwhile, hosting partners will collect feedback and assessments from participants, using these insights to refine and enhance the MOOC before its broader implementation.

Why the Tourism Sector?

Tourism was one of the sectors most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing deep inequalities in employment, accessibility, and digital transformation. By testing the DOEER MOOC in tourism education, we are not only assessing its effectiveness in higher education settings but also ensuring that it can provide real, actionable solutions for the industry to become more resilient.

The Impact of LTTA on DOEER’s Future

This event is more than just a training activity—it is an essential evaluation phase that will shape the long-term sustainability of the DOEER methodology. The results of LTTA will play a crucial role in refining the DOEER MOOC, incorporating real user experiences and feedback to enhance its effectiveness. Additionally, the insights gained will strengthen the project’s digital education approach, ensuring that it aligns with the evolving needs of students, educators, and businesses. Beyond the immediate scope of the project, LTTA will set the stage for the broader adoption of equality-based digital learning, extending its applicability to various sectors beyond tourism. Furthermore, the outcomes of this evaluation will guide DOEER’s sustainability and exploitation strategy, ensuring that its impact endures well beyond the project’s official timeline.

Looking Ahead

With LTTA marking the first hands-on implementation of the DOEER MOOC, the insights gathered will drive the next phases of the project and reinforce our commitment to digital transformation for equality. As we prepare for this exciting stage, we look forward to sharing updates, findings, and participant experiences from the event.

Stay tuned for updates on DOEER and outcomes from LTTA in the coming weeks!