Although the introduction of distance learning was in the medium-term plan, the Center for Lifelong Learning and Culture Bjelovar almost overnight transitioned 80 percent of its educational program online due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first four groups – internet marketing, accounting, training for EU project associates, and caregivers – started virtual classes at the same time as secondary and primary schools, and by the following week, they were joined by gerontodomiciles, future computer operators, as well as primary school students in the English language course.
Both instructors and participants did not hide their enthusiasm, and considering that these were weeks of implementing the #stayhome measures, the Center’s management decided to offer all interested parties a free online Italian language course lasting 30 hours. In just two days, about 60 participants from all parts of Croatia, and even from Greece, registered. Last week, 39 of them successfully completed the course, and most are continuing. Online classes were also continued by groups that attended English, German, and Chinese language courses.
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Seventeen Educational Groups
In the seventh week of online classes, Bjelovar CUK entered with 17 educational groups and about one hundred fifty participants. It was a challenge for both instructors and participants. Only a few instructors had experience in distance teaching, but even those for whom it was their first time had no doubts and, with a few hours of IT instructions, successfully became online instructors. Among them are master’s degree nurses, doctors, economists, safety engineers, and those for whom this was their first job.
Participants are of all ages, from primary school students to those over 50 years old. Most of them generally highlight the advantages of distance learning, so the Center has already begun aligning existing verified training and professional development programs for which it has solutions from the Ministry of Science and Education, so that even after this coronavirus crisis, along with regular and consultative teaching, it can enable distance learning for those who wish.
– Despite the fact that the Center does not have modern technology and large resources, both instructors and participants adapted to the new situation, so this crisis has given a new direction to the development of our institution’s educational activities. In these turbulent weeks, we managed to submit an application for the CEI Extraordinary Call for Proposals 2020 aimed at acquiring equipment for monitoring distance learning for instructors and participants who do not have it. We hope for a positive response so that we can provide our participants with better monitoring of distance learning – emphasized Zvjezdana Galkowski, director of the Center.
Changes for the Better
The Center for Lifelong Learning and Culture Bjelovar has recorded significant progress over the past year and a half. The number of participants has doubled, whose number continuously fell from 2012 to 2018, and there are even 35 new solutions from the Ministry of Science and Education for training and professional development programs. Its focus is digital literacy, and it is intensively conducting courses for acquiring digital skills and using online platforms of public administration, banks, shops, etc.
– On Monday, May 11, we are opening a Digital Office for e-Citizens that will provide citizens with individual instructions for using digital services – announced Zvjezdana Galkowski, adding that the goal is to promote and implement lifelong learning, increase the percentage of citizens participating in lifelong learning programs, and contribute to bringing the three percent participation of citizens of the Republic of Croatia in lifelong learning programs a little closer to the European average of 10 percent, thereby increasing employability and quality of life.
Until last year, the Center was named Public Open College, and with the restructuring into a modern institution for lifelong learning and culture, it also changed its name. Although they are not satisfied with the state of adult education, which has become a gray market and due to unfair competition, most similar institutions founded by cities have given up, CUK has tackled the competition, competing with quality, professionalism, and expertise. And now, thanks to the coronavirus crisis, and distance learning, which opens countless possibilities, opportunities, and challenges that this institution will certainly take advantage of.
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