Erasmus+ Training in Deventer: Interdisciplinarity and Digital Skills in Adult Education

Asociația Active Yourope’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme “Interdisciplinary Pathways: Innovative Strategies for Education”, held in Deventer, the Netherlands, and hosted by Both Online, strengthened the organisation’s strategic direction in adult education by integrating interdisciplinary curriculum design, digital technologies and project-based learning methods. The experience focused on developing instructional design skills based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and on applying the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology in real learning contexts, accompanied by applied activities and professional reflection.

The programme covered topics such as mapping disciplines, case-study analysis and designing learning units, with an emphasis on relevance to adult learners and on transfer into practice at institutional level. The sessions included collaborative planning exercises, team-teaching simulations and the development of an action plan for implementing the results in the association’s current work. An important segment addressed the DISC model, useful for understanding communication styles and for optimising teamwork and educational leadership.

The digital component of the programme enhanced the design of interactive learning experiences through tools such as Padlet, Miro, Canva, Flip, Google Workspace and Jamboard. These were applied both for collaboration and content co-creation and for formative assessment, feedback and progress monitoring. Participants designed a digital interdisciplinary educational experience and a curriculum unit centred on real problems, fostering critical thinking, creativity and learner engagement.

To support educational creativity, techniques inspired by lateral thinking were explored, such as “random provocation”, “concept fan” and logic challenges, with direct applications in solving current problems in adult education. The approach was complemented by non-formal activities such as walk & talk and city games, designed to stimulate intercultural collaboration and the exchange of best practices between participants. At the end, the projects were presented in a feedback-carousel session, followed by structuring an action plan to consolidate the results in the sending organisations.

For Asociația Active Yourope, the learning outcomes are reflected in an increased ability to design adult courses and training modules through UDL and PBL, in expanded digital skills and in stronger educational collaboration practices. Integrating digital tools into instruction, assessment and communication will support the development of flexible and accessible learning pathways tailored to the diverse needs of adult learners. In addition, using the DISC model provides a framework for a cooperative organisational culture, with an impact on the quality of programmes and the learning experience.

During the mobility there was also a component exploring examples of good practice at university level, referring to the integration of smart solutions and community partnerships in education - aspects relevant to the inclusion, media literacy and digital education projects in the association’s portfolio. The added value lies in transferring these models to local initiatives and in strengthening professional networks with European partners.

The activity took place in July 2025 in Deventer, in partnership with the host organisation Both Online BV, in the context of Active Yourope’s Erasmus+ accreditation for adult education. The direct beneficiary was a trainer from the association’s team, with a role in designing and delivering courses for adults and in coordinating institutional and network activities.

Asociația Active Yourope will integrate the results into the training offers addressed to adult educators, with priority in areas such as media literacy, digital education, project-based learning, creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration. For collaborations and information on new training sessions, interested people can contact the association through the usual communication channels.