THE ENCORE PROJECT: SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL DESIGN WITH NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING

ENCORE (ENriching Circular use of OER for Education) is an Erasmus+ project. This paper introduces the ENCORE approach, a novel strategy developed to address the challenges of the digital era in engineering education. ENCORE harnesses the potential of OER combined with the advancements in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence, linking educational content with relevant skills in the European Skills, Competencies, Qualifications, and Occupations (ESCO) framework. The approach is designed to enhance the reuse of OERs, integrating them with data-driven tools and pedagogical guidelines to facilitate effective course design and outcome evaluation. This paper particularly explores the integration of the ENCORE approach within the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) framework, highlighting how it can assist educators in incorporating green digital and entrepreneurial skills into engineering courses. The core elements of ENCORE, including a specialized database and ENCORE enablers, are outlined, emphasizing their role in crafting relevant learning paths and enriching engineering education. The paper concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future development of ENCORE, focusing on its testing and refinement in engineering education through upcoming staff development activities and pilot testing, underscoring the importance of its alignment with the CDIO framework in enhancing the learning experience in the rapidly evolving landscape of engineering education.