From October 2 to 4, 2023, a project meeting was held in Leuven, Belgium, under the VR4Skills project: "Comprehensive Training Framework for Leaders of Internationalization Enhanced by Virtual Reality (VR) in a Post-Pandemic Era." The meeting established critical guidelines for achieving the project’s objectives.
Hosted by UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), the event encompassed a comprehensive 'Train the Trainer' session alongside a strategic project meeting among partners.
The 'Train the Trainer' program focused on designing modules aimed at enhancing the competencies of non-academic staff at higher education institutions across Europe. This training was built on a thorough skills gap analysis conducted during the project's initial phase.
Participants explored various advanced teaching methodologies, including:
- Kolb’s Learning Cycle,
- Problem-Based, Scenario-Based, and Case-Based Learning,
- Self-Paced Learning,
- Flipped Classroom Models, and
- Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction.
A key component of the meeting was the development of VR-based scenarios, designed to foster the professional growth of the target audience. These scenarios will play an integral role in addressing identified competency gaps through immersive learning experiences.
Trainers will utilize the insights gained during this meeting to prepare a pilot training program, scheduled for implementation in January and April 2024. This meeting highlighted the collaborative spirit of the VR4Skills initiative, paving the way for impactful and innovative training solutions for the higher education sector.