Erasmus Intensive Programmes: An audit of an innovative educational tool

An Erasmus Intensive Programme (EIP) is a short programme of study lasting 2-6 weeks of subject related work. Its objectives are to prepare, execute and evaluate a short course on an innovative topic, which is not part of established curriculae. Purpose: to provide an overview of the eight EIPs and their relevance to continuous nursing education in which the nursing department of the ATEITH was involved. Method: The case method was used in this discussion paper in order to analyze critically the EIP initiative. Results: An EIP as a concise study educational tool can be ‘dissected’ in the following critical components: Target groups, Main educational activities, Learning outcomes, Expected outputs, Target topics, Main activities, Outputs, Progress of preparation, The innovative aspects and Final learning Outcomes. Thus, the 10 critical components of an EIP are presented and discussed further. Discussion: The EIPs emphasized on wider forms of knowledge (e.g. cultural) rather than the narrower understanding of knowledge students are expected to have, arising from more traditional educational methods. They also facilitated both students and teachers to work together in crosscultural and multinational teams in order to benefit from special learning and teaching conditions not available in a single institution, and to gain new perspectives on the topic being studied. Conclusions: The EIP paradigm has supported the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning in contemporary Europe, which in turn makes it highly relevant teaching and learning tool for advanced nursing education

Keywords: Intensive programmes, Erasmus, continuing nursing education