Cultural Peer-Learning goes Online - Digital Learning in Global Adult and Youth Education by Art and Creativity

The CULPEER digital project is closely linked to the educational objectives of Erasmus+ in terms of diversity, inclusion, digitalization and education for sustainable development. Through digital, cultural exchange between peers worldwide, an awareness of global justice, inclusion and diversity, as well as cultural knowledge and skills, is promoted. The digital level enables people who cannot travel for financial or health reasons, for example, to participate in intercultural exchange, and less travel saves resources and protects the environment. In view of the corona pandemic, the consequences of climate change and the existing barriers to access to education, especially for people with social barriers, both in Europe and worldwide, there is a need for freely accessible, innovative digital learning methods. CULPEER digital offers educators the necessary concepts with concrete examples to bring the cultural peer-to-peer approach (CPLA) into their classrooms. For the European added value, the project was carried out with 7 partners from 6 countries, each of which has expertise in CPLA and digital learning and can draw on a broad and active network in their country and across Europe.

The goal of the CULPEER digital project was to transition the established cultural peer learning approach (CPLA) to a digital platform. Originating almost 25 years ago, CPLA, developed by our partner KinderKulturKarawane, has been executed through tours with artistic groups from the Global South. The onset of the pandemic prompted initial digital exchange attempts, laying the foundation for this project. CULPEER digital offers educators a comprehensive digital learning package to integrate global and intercultural learning into their classrooms. Ensuring inclusivity, the learning materials are accessible online and offline, featuring text, videos, stop motion, and creative PDFs. The e-learning course also introduces the Universal Design for Learning concept, aiding educators in adapting materials to diverse learner preferences. Strengthening European network ties, the project facilitated cross-country learning and networking among educators and cultural workers. Additionally, a digital network link on the website fosters connections between artistic partners from the Global South and educational institutions in the Global North.

Our main activities were as follows: 1. sharing innovation and best practices The joint work between the participating organizations and the participants involved in the project (educators, teachers from cultural and youth centers, stakeholders, artistic groups from the Global South) led to the exchange of best practices, experiences with the CPLA, as well as innovative learning methods and concepts. The international network was strengthened, new contacts were made and future joint projects are already being planned. 2. intellectual outputs Five planned intellectual outputs were successfully developed together. The result is the website for CULPEER digital with a guide, an e-learning course, 10 digital innovative methods for cultural peer-to-peer exchange, a film center with numerous educational videos, best practices and an interactive and cultural game center. The website is available in English and, adapted to the needs of the partner countries, in the individual national languages. 3. dissemination, training and multiplier events The project was disseminated digitally over two years and via meetings, festivals, training courses, further education and network meetings. A training course in Poland qualified participants from 5 European countries as multipliers of the project. Finally, the project results were passed on to educators, stakeholders and other teachers via six multiplier events in each country. The CULPEER digital approach is already being planned as an integral part of future projects.

The concrete results and outputs of the project are as follows: 1. the central visible result of the project is the project's own platform CULPEER digital, on which the results listed below are visible and freely accessible: https://culpeer-digital.eu/ 2. the project guide, available online and for download as a PDF in English and in all partner languages. The guide gives an overview of the project and how to use the website. 3. the e-learning course, available online and for download as a PDF in English and in all partner languages. The course is divided into seven modules and includes the development of the CPLA and related projects, the role of educators, the necessary transformation to modern learning methods and the digital level, the benefits of the CPLA for people with social barriers, the ten digital methods as an example for the implementation of digital, cultural peer learning, materials for global learning, as well as methods to adapt the teaching material to the preferences and different learning types of learners. 4. ten digital methods were designed by the partnership, jointly developed and subsequently implemented for the most part. The methods serve as concrete examples for educators and teachers to imitate. Creatively designed PDFs, available in English and in all partner languages, can be downloaded and used in the classroom. The materials prepare educators and teachers for implementation and include a brief description of the method, the educational objectives, details on implementation, step-by-step instructions for use, an information corner, as well as further tips and useful links. 5. the Film Center on the website offers visual impressions of the digital methods and the e-learning course, best practice interviews from each partner country, tutorials on the use of digital tools, as well as a section with interactive cultural online games. The videos and games can be used creatively in the classroom or as preparation for teachers on specific topics and provide easy and attractive access to the project results.