SUSTAIN-T E-LEARNING PLATFORM has been created, using the open-source platform Moodle, which allows for construction of personalised learning environments. It will be user-centred, suggesting creation of personal profiles through an easy sign-up process and allowing for tracking the learning progress and achievements.

The platform uses some gamification techniques, which makes the learning experience more engaging. Such techniques include:

1. Progression – moving gradually to more complicated learning material (in the context of the Sustain-T training, from theoretical content through analysis of best practices to development of a sustainability initiative);
2. Challenges – problem-based exercises, which a learner should solve to progress towards the training completion;
3. Meaningful choices – a possibility for a learner to create his/her own learning pathway (e.g. start from the self-audit exercise and then engage with the presentations and best practices to find out possible solutions for improving sustainability in those areas, where the enterprise underperforms according to the audit results);
4. Social interaction – collaborating with peers for solving a common problem (developing a joint sustainable tourism initiative) using the interactive tools; exchanging ideas in a forum;
5. Achievement – collecting points for completion of certain parts of the training, leading to a certificate of achievement.

The e-learning platform has three sections:

1. first one, containing introductory guidelines for MSE learners. It answers such questions as: why to engage in the Sustain-T training; how to use the e-platform and how to navigate it; what materials are available on the e-platform; how to create a personal learning pathway; what minimum requirements to fulfil to get a certificate of achievement;
2. second one, containing the content-based part of the learning material (O2);
3. third one, containing the activity-based part of the learning material, i.e. the interactive tools (O3).

Output 4 implies the creation of the interactive tools, based on the descriptions developed within the third Output.

THE INTERACTIVE VERSION OF THE SELF-AUDIT TOOL is an easy to complete with a click of a button. It automatically calculates the assessment score and provides score interpretation. It also provides a list of aspects, in which sustainability performance could be improved, and gives a reference to the units in the learning content containing corresponding best practices.

THE INTERACTIVE VERSION OF THE RESOURCE-MAPPING TOOL allows for selection of the available resources by clicking on suggested items under the categories described in O3. Having completed this selection, the MSE learner receives a map, reflecting all resource items of his/her choice.  The tool provides a possibility to join individual MSE resource maps into a collective map, thus giving insight into the availability of resources owned by a collaborating MSE group.

Interactive resource mapping tool is a valuable instrument both in the context of the Sustain-T training (as an activity facilitating the attainment of the learning outcomes), and in the context of real-life operations of micro and small enterprises. It is a sound decision for collaborating MSEs to visualize the resources they have and can access. Collective analysis of the resources is the first step towards understanding what initiative an MSE alliance could undertake to improve their sustainability performance.

THE INTERACTIVE VERSION OF THE IDEATION TOOL supports collaborative idea development, refinement, evaluation and eventual implementation. It help MSEs match the self-audit results with the produced resource map – to formulate a sustainable tourism challenge they could solve using the resources they have. The interactive tool provides the following functions: 1) posting a challenge; 2) collecting solution ideas; 3) commenting on and voting for ideas; 4) peer review and feedback for selected ideas; 5) a checklist for successful idea implementation.

These interactive tools allow the Sustain-T platform to become a space enhancing learning experience of tourism micro and small enterprises and facilitating their networking and collaboration for developing and undertaking joint sustainable tourism initiatives.