As part of GrundbildungsPFADE, the Competence Centre is developing and testing professional development programmes that focus on network coordination and basic education counselling. The first of these programmes was successfully launched on 8 October with approximately 40 participants, building on a basic module completed in September to introduce counselling and networking. In the second phase, participants can choose to specialise in either network coordination or basic education counselling, or complete both modules if they are interested in both areas.
The professional development programmes consist of online self-study courses, which participants complete individually, followed by digital face-to-face events for joint reflection. The programmes are intended for all professionals working in literacy and basic education or counselling. However, in the initial stages, they are only accessible to staff from the ten funded projects and their network partners. The aim is to optimise the programmes and make them available to all interested parties after the project ends. To this end, the programmes will be evaluated and revised in three rounds, each with a minimum of 20 participants. After the first round in 2026, they will be opened up to a wider group of participants. The training courses are developed and conducted by Lernende Region – Netzwerk Köln e.V. and the Bundesverband Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung e.V., while the formative and summative evaluation is carried out by the German Institute for Adult Education.
Design of the self-learning courses
For e-learning courses to be accessible and sustainable in the long term, they require a permanent digital home. The EULE learning area from wb web provides this for the professional development courses offered by GrundbildungsPFADE. EULE is a learning portal offering free self-learning courses in various areas of adult and continuing education. Providers of train-the-trainer programmes not involved in literacy and basic education can also publish their learning programmes in the EULE learning area. Thanks to the e-learning format, GrundbildungsPFADE's professional development programmes are permanently available, enabling recipients throughout the country to learn independently.
The self-study courses for the focus areas of basic education counselling and network coordination each take approximately 20 hours to complete. Learning materials consist of videos with AI-generated designs and audio files, which learners work through on various learning paths.
What will participants learn in the basic education counselling and network coordination modules?
The basic education counselling module covers the approaches, methods and techniques employed in basic education counselling, along with the associated settings, formats, contact points and resources. Participants also deepen their practical knowledge of diagnostics and language simplification.
The network coordination module covers the function, role and attitude of network coordination, as well as networks, structural development and networking in the field of literacy and basic education. Participants also learn how to address, attract and support target groups, engage in public relations and lobbying work, and organise networking events professionally.
