LOCATION BASED GAMES AND INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING FOR NATURE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

Intergenerational Learning (IL) describes the way that people of all ages can learn together and from each other. Beyond the transfer of knowledge, IL fosters reciprocal learning relationships between different generations and helps to develop social capital and social cohesion in our ageing societies. On the other hand, the role of Information and Communication Technologies is becoming even more important for all generations. In Involen project (Intergenerational Learning for Nature Conservation Volunteers, LLP, Gruntvig) the learning methodology and the new tools are associated and contribute to the volunteering in nature protection which includes any non-remunerated and freely chosen activity exercised in general within in a non-profit organisations: association, NGO, trade union or public structure. The Involen model i. offers opportunities to senior citizens to become involved in voluntary activity for nature protection and preservation, thus improving their quality of life, self-esteem and self confidence, while improving their knowledge on a number of fields, including volunteering and IT, ii. encourages youngsters of secondary schools to become volunteers for nature protection, iii. improves the capacity of NGOs, schools and adult education institutions to deliver innovative adult education while enabling their staff, especially those involved in environmental education, to improve their qualifications and career prospects. This is reached through the collaboration within focus groups in which elders and students work together in a participative process, in which learning is guided by the figure of the 'learning facilitator'. The use of IT tolls allows the learners to create their own learning material and share it with others, but also to attract younger generations. Eventually, Involen enhances the preservation of protected areas through voluntary activity and exploitation of the knowledge and traditions of past generations, but also enhances the awareness of local people on the environmental value of their surroundings.