Recent blog posts

Recent blog posts http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/index networks.features.blog.posts.recent.description Post 3: How to position myself in the history itself and as an author of the history blog? Another preliminary remark is needed to clarify the position of the author. Surely, I cannot pretend to be a neutral observer and writer of documentary report. Just as I have been an actor in the history of VETNET, I now try to be a learner who examines the experiences we have made in the course of time. Here, I need to remind myself that I have witnessed these processes from three different perspectives: 1) as a young comparative researcher from Finland observing the European developments in VET from a relative distance; 2) as an employee of an EU-agency (Cedefop) with an interest to promote European research cooperation and with a role of facilitator; 3) as an experienced researcher working as an expatriate in Germany and with the role of project promoter or partner in specific European projects on VET. So, after this reminder I should keep in mind that there are different perspectives to shared memories and to reports on the experiences. I should also remember that my personal history is involved in the experience of enthusiasm during the early years of European cooperation and in the sense of less enthusiasm during the later years (when European projects had become day-to-day practice). So, I should not be too eager to think that my interpretations of certain periods and developments would by shared by others. At least, there is a need to discuss, how we value the past and what we have gone through. My starting position in this discussion is based on the following assumptions: a) European VET research is characterised by a diversity of national, conceptual and discipline-oriented approaches. This can be seen both as cultural richness and as institutional weakness. b) The VETNET community has been open to different approaches and welcomed dialogue between different approaches. At the same time VETNET has not played the role of a lobby for any particular interests. c) European VET research has been strongly dependent on funding opportunities provided by EU programmes. Yet, the community of European VET researchers has been promoting critical debates on the role of European and national policies in the light of research findings (and regarding the role allocated to research). d) The VETNET community has been supporting initiatives that promote Europe-wide knowledge sharing and knowledge development on VET (and VET-related research). Yet, despite many efforts, the results have not raised very strongly the profile of European VET research. Thus, the development of European VET research culture is overshadowed by many contradictions and tensions. Many achievements are accompanied with risks. The relative progress is linked to uncertain future. The commitment of active community members is coupled with unstable institutional landscapes. Yet, the future is open. To be continued … no-reply@mixxt.net (Pekka Kamarainen) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:32:00 +0100 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.pkamarainen:3 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.pkamarainen:3 Post 2: How to work with a VETNET History Blog What kind of content should a VETNET present for discussion? And why should we be interested to discuss these contents? These questions need to be answered before submitting any content. My idea is that we need to look at the milestones and consider, what has happened at different phases in the history. Then we need to explore the themes that have characterised the development of the VETNET community - not only the sessions in ECER, but also the work between conferences. Looking at the milestones: To me, each VETNET programme at ECER (ever since the founding of VETNET 1996) counts as a milestone of its own. Also, I would include the ECER’92 in Enschede and the IRNETD’94 conference in Milano to the history of VETNET (as the key events of the pre-history of EERA and VETNET). But, it would not be very interesting to recapitulate what happened in each conference and then go to the next conference. Therefore, reports the past conferences will discuss the following key questions: <ul><li>What special memories do we have of the events of this conference?</li> <li>What themes have been taken up in the discussions?</li> <li>What can be learned by studying the materials more closely?</li> <li>What kind of internal development has characterised the VETNET network? </li> </ul>Exploring the themes: To me, the VETNET programmes at ECER have not been just a collection of separate sessions (which group together random presentations). Instead, the different evolutionary phases of the VETNET community have been characterised by emerging research themes, creating partnerships or networks and by learning from each other. In this respect the central themes of certain periods have had continuity in the work of cooperation projects and research groups. At certain periods the European cooperation programmes or European policy priorities have had a strong impact on the research agendas. At certain points active researchers have sought raise their own initiatives. In this respect, the explorations on the central themes will focus on the following key questions: <ul><li>Why have these themes become so important for certain period?</li> <li>What kind of national research activities and cooperation projects have contributes to the theme?</li> <li>What kinds of results have been achieved?</li> <li>Why has this theme faded away? Has it been taken up in a new context?</li> </ul>These are my first thoughts. Let us see how the work goes on! To be continued … no-reply@mixxt.net (Pekka Kamarainen) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:11:00 +0100 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.pkamarainen:2 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.pkamarainen:2 Post 1: A VETNET history blog - What for? The idea to start a VETNET history blog has been coming some time. Yet, what is the point in discussing the history of the VETNET network? Some scholars think that 'sciences' become mature only when they forget their early steps and concentrate on new and emerging issues. Others think that social and educational sciences have maintain awareness of their past in order to face the present date issues and pave way for the future. How does the VETNET network stand in this respect? Let us start with the facts: VETNET - the European research network in vocational education and training (VET) was founded in 1996. The first public event took place at the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER'96) in Sevilla. In the beginning the VETNET convenor was nominated by the EERA council, and there was a co-opted board. Since ECER'97 in Frankfurt there has been a VETNET programme at every ECER. Since ECER'99 in Lahti there has been a tradition to appoint a 'local' programme chair for coordinating the preparation of the VETNET programme. And since ECER'00 in Edinburg the VETNET network has developed its internal activities with the support of an elected board and on the basis of an agreed constitution. The VETNET programme is a major section at ECER and the tradition with VETNET proceedings has been established. Clearly, there has been a process of community development to bring together European VET researchers. But let us not forget critical issues and concerns: Indeed, the internal evolution of VETNET can be seen as progress in community development under the umbrella of EERA. Yet, the consolidation of established research traditions in VET research has not been that evident. Although there is an active Europe-wide (and broader) participation of researchers, the institutional foundations of VET research are not stable. Much has been achieved by active individuals, research groups and institutes. Yet, their status in university structures and among research institutions has varied and there are no common frameworks across Europe. At some points of time this has been perceived as a challenge for learning from each other, at other points of time as a status quo that has to be accepted. To me, these issues start to be important, when we consider the issue 'knowledge development' in European VET research. How do we value progress in research on VET, in VET and for VET? And how can we hand traditions on to new researchers - and at the same time pave way for new approaches? With these thoughts I have come to start a VETNET history blog. It is not only the question: "Do we still remember ...?" It is also the question: "Have we learned something about it?" To be continued ... no-reply@mixxt.net (Pekka Kamarainen) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:06:00 +0100 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.pkamarainen:1 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.pkamarainen:1 Test test no-reply@mixxt.net (Graham Attwell) Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:23:00 +0200 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.grahamattwell:1 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.grahamattwell:1 Call for Consultants in VET Policy, UNDP Georgia Please, note that UNDP Georgia is seeking a qualified consultant for a Comprehensive Assessment of the National Vocational Education System in Georgia (who will work together with National Consultant). The announcment is place at the link: <a href="http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=25009">http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=25009</a> All relevant candidates are welcome to apply. The deadline for submissions is August 12. The application is on-line process and takes very short time. no-reply@mixxt.net (Giorgi Nanobashvili) Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:54:00 +0200 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.giorgi.nanobashvili:1 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.giorgi.nanobashvili:1 Call for Consultants in VET Policy, UNDP Georgia Please, note that UNDP Georgia is seeking a qualified consultant for a Comprehensive Assessment of the National Vocational Education System in Georgia (who will work together with National Consultant). The announcment is place at the link: <a href="http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=25009">http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=25009</a> All relevant candidates are welcome to apply. The deadline for submissions is August 12. The application is on-line process and takes very short time. no-reply@mixxt.net (Giorgi Nanobashvili) Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:54:00 +0200 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.giorgi.nanobashvili:2 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.giorgi.nanobashvili:2 Call for proposals between European and Canadian education institutions Hello All, I am asking if anyone is interested in submitting a proposal for joint degree or study/training programmes allowing transatlantic exchanges between European and Canadian education institutions. The deadline is March 24, 2010. I would like to proposal an online learning community for faculty to exchange curriculum and develop joint standard for student exchange program in industrial metal trades training programmes between the European Union and Canada. If you are in a position to help please let me know soon. Thank You Robert F. Email : robert.finlayson@kwantlen.ca See details at:<a href="http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/canada/201">http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/canada/201</a> no-reply@mixxt.net (Robert Finlayson) Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:03:00 +0100 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.153rf19sfu58:1 http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/blog/post.153rf19sfu58:1