Learning brings progress. For us, at SIMAVI, to create the architectural design and then develop an eLearning course that will help build future specialists in any domain is a privilege, but to do this for the most important organizations of the European Commission is a true accomplishment. And we are proud of it!
In time, we have become the main content developers for the EU Commission for a variety of organizations like: DGTaxud, DGHR, European Parliament, Court of Justice, DIGIT, DGBudget, JRC, OPOCE, ECDC, EFCA, EUIPO, EEAS, Frontex, EASA and other important institutions.
Course shortlisted at UK Learning Technology Awards for “Excellence in the design of learning content”
SIMAVI technical specialists have been involved in the designing and developing of a complete eLearning course to support and complement existing training practices for the yearly appraisal exercise within the European Commission. The project belongs to the Directorate General for Human Resources and Security of the European Commission.
The course, titled “eLearning course to support and complement existing training practices for the yearly appraisal exercise”, has been shortlisted as finalist at the UK Learning Technology Awards for “Excellence in the design of learning content – public & non-profit sector”, in November 2019.
In collaboration with DGHR, the eLearning specialists from SIMAVI have successfully delivered the Instructional Design, the process of storyboarding and the content development. During the eLearning course created by the SIMAVI specialists, employees are asked to take part in social-simulation exercises like informal discussions, fact-finding exercises, decision-making problems, role-play, and other exercises that ensure success in a role. The exercise enhances the participant’s knowledge, boosts their thought process, and improves employee efficiency. More importantly, it offers an insight of the employee’s personality (ethics, tolerance, problem-solving skill, introversion/extroversion, adaptability, etc.).
Technologies and tools used in this project were: Articulate Storyline III, Adobe Suite.
Teaching scientists the way politics and policymaking work
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the EC’s science and knowledge service which employs scientists to carry out research in order to provide independent scientific advice and support to EU policy.
They create knowledge, manage knowledge, and make sense of knowledge, develop innovative tools, and make them available to policy makers.
As scientists strongly believe in education, SIMAVI has designed, developed and implemented the e-Learning course “Science for Policy Making: Maximising Your Impact” for the JRC’s scientists.
The e-Learning course was designed to increase awareness about the necessary skills that scientists need in relation to evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM). The course also enhances scientists’ understanding of the policymaking world and presents them with essential practical information in order to prepare research that is relevant to their audiences. At the end of the course, scientists gain increased confidence and motivation to interact with policymakers, with lasting effects.
The course created by the experienced team from SIMAVI focuses on the delivery of key concepts and knowledge to the target audience in a format that makes it easy to grasp abstract information. So SIMAVI used animated videos, interviews and mini-documentaries. Theoretical information was mapped on a real-case scenario, enabling the development of practical awareness for a better transfer in the professional activities of the target audience.
Nuclear decommissioning for STEM students
Another course designed and developed for JRC by SIMAVI was on the hot topic of nuclear decommissioning.
The Nuclear Decommissioning online course is designed to support a broader action of raising interest of young generations in nuclear decommissioning, but also support professionals intending to refocus their career in nuclear decommissioning. The main target audience is represented by students from STEM faculties who have completed at least the first three years of university bachelor studies.
The main goal of this online course is to provide the target audience with the basics of nuclear decommissioning – the process and the benefits for the society and the environment. Moreover, to support the broader goal of raising interest of young generations in nuclear decommissioning, this course highlights key elements of a career in this sector (e.g. challenging and secure job, mobility opportunities).
eTraining on Green Finance for EBRD
The EBRD Green Finance Academy is an online education and resource platform that draws on extensive EBRD green financing experience. Registered users can enhance their knowledge by following the thematic courses and learn to identify green financing opportunities that make business sense.
SIMAVI has developed 12 e-Learning modules for the registered learners of EBRD’s Green Finance Academy, designed by EBRD’s green finance experts. The modules allow participants to acquire advanced skills in order to promote, prepare and implement sustainable investments in line with the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition approach. The modules cover various topics: green finance opportunities in energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate resilience & adaptation investments, green value chain and green household finance.
For this project, SIMAVI used the latest technologies and tools in the eLearning field: Articulate Storyline, HTML5, JavaScript, CSS3, Adobe Suite, Unity, WCAG 2.0
Apart from the e-learning modules, SIMAVI has also implemented the Learning Management System, the online platform where the training activities take place.
eLearning solutions for the EU Intellectual Property Office
We have also successfully delivered an eLearning course for Absolute Grounds (AG) Examination Support Tool, to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The web-based applications of the examination support tool and the drafting editor offer the best infrastructure possible for potential users to experience the flexibility of learning at their own pace, be aware of their own progress, and decide about the next steps. The control bar feature ensures that they could always restart the course where left off.
Our eLearning solution integrates a variety of learning activities, designed to engage learners with the content in a meaningful and authentic manner, with a practice-oriented approach.
And our first eLearning project for the Council of Europe
How does a public administration official tackle a conflict of interests? How does one choose between the economic welfare of the community or the environmental welfare of the land that the community relies on? Should the elected representatives be open towards media?
The Council of Europe developed the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance and the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE), which represent the fundamental values of European democracy.
The eLearning Platform on Good Governance at the local level was the first project that the SIMAVI team developed for the Council of Europe’s Centre of Expertise for Good Governance. The software integrator delivered an accessible and easy-to-use eLearning platform with 12 eLearning courses on the principles of good governance at the local government level. SIMAVI continues to provide both hosting and maintenance of the platform.
Other projects for Europe
• eLearning course on the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) for the Directorate General for Informatics of the European Commission (DIGIT)
eLearning is a great part of our core business at SIMAVI. And designing, developing and implementing eLearning tools for the European Union organization and for the Council of Europe is both an honour and a challenge we do not take lightly.
