TOPILOT - Innovative teaching using new technologies TOPILOT is an innovative teaching project aimed at improving educational opportunities for children from occupational traveller families. Supported by the European Commission within the framework of its specific RTD programme in the field of Telematics Applications, the projec... TOPILOT is an innovative teaching project aimed at improving educational opportunities for children from occupational traveller families. Supported by the European Commission within the framework of its specific RTD programme in the field of Telematics Applications, the project will be starting its demonstration phase in March 1998. Initiated by EFECOT, the European Federation for the Education of Children of Occupational Travellers, the project aims to use new information technologies to improve educational continuity for this population group. Through the use of the Internet and interactive CD-ROMs which can be connected to a standard TV screen without need for a PC, the project will improve the teacher/pupil link, allowing faster feedback on the work done by the children. The TOPILOT model will be demonstrated with three learning packages aimed at two distinct age groups. A "Basic Skills" learning package, aimed at children aged 3 to 9 includes a variety of literacy, numeracy and social skills. Two further packages, aimed at the over 14 age group, are focused on vocational education and training. These address "Business Skills", where learners are presented with real-life situations in which a business decision needs to be made, and "Electricity" - a key topic in circus and fairground life. Both packages may also be used for adult education and training. The demonstration phase will involve two groups of ten pupils from each of the 16 participating schools. If everything goes according to plan, it is hoped that the packages should be available to all pupils in the occupational traveller population by 1 October 1998.
