The Tool Fair as a tool for learning

Nov 2012
Illustration of two characters talking to each other

Let's see! Is it?

Taking the criteria elaborated during the past two years for a 'tool for learning', we thought it might be interesting to see to what extent we meet our own criteria? 

A "tool for learning" satisfies the following criteria:

It is a tool to transfer educational objectives into practice; it engages participants in the learning process and provides a possibility for participants to identify their own learning.

YES for all of that! The Tool Fair team provide on-line questionnaires and evaluations, personal feedback to workshop leaders, freedom of choice about what to get involved in. 

It stands on its own / does not need further information to explain it

Ha ha! it possibly needs too many words to explain all the different sides of a ToolFair! But still, as a developing concept and practise the Tool Fair does indeed stand on its own.And it is being used as an example by others, for example, Leargas the Irish National Agency organised their own Action 1 Tool Fair only last month.

It combines the theme, techniques, target group, materials, timing, tips for use, etc in its description

It certainly does! have a look at the detailed website!

It is not fixed or closed, but rather is open for adaptation according to context, target group, etc

If we look at the ToolFair story (see Bernard Abrignani's article) then we can really see that the ToolFair has grown and developed over the years, to take account of the context and target groups. 

It includes tips for transferability to different situations and contexts

One of the main features in giving feedback to workshops and tools is always about adaptation, so this can also be fairly descri- bed as a set of criteria which are met. 

It may well include elements of generic methods (discussions, film, etc)

If it didn't include all of those, then it wouldn't be the ToolFair!

Image Credits: 
Siiri and Tanel of Joonmedia - http://joonmeedia.blogspot.com

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