In today's world, we're at a critical juncture where we can't turn a blind eye to climate change and environmental sustainability. These issues will shape the world for generations to come, so it's crucial for teachers to bring these topics into the classroom. But it's not just about talking...it's about inspiring hope and showing that change is possible! During our last session of the course "Green Skills for Education: Promoting Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Actions in the Classroom" held in Bologna from 21/04/2024 to 27/04/2024, we welcomed 14 participants hailing from many diverse countries: Tara, Martina, Edel and Colette from LCETB (Ireland), Jutta, Roswitha, Anastasiia and Ulrich from Bayerischer Volkshochschulverband (Germany), Melanie from Paritätisches Bildungswerk Thüringen (Germany), Timur from UNICEF (Kosovo), Leen and Kaat from Sint Ursula instituut (Belgium), Teresa from ESCUELA OFICIAL DE IDIOMAS (Spain) and Javier from IES Virgen de la Paloma (Spain). We kicked off the week diving into a sharing session: what are our countries already doing for the environment? Are our schools and organizations “green” enough? We brainstormed and discovered the meaning behind the expression “Green Skills”, trying to understand why they matter so much in today's world. We got to know the vocaboulary of the green movement, exploring concepts like sustainability and sustainable development, resources, waste management, and many other. We dedicated an entire morning to the phenomenon of Greenwashing: it was truly eye-opening to see how prevalent this trend is, and participants did their own detective work on brands in their home countries, trying to compare ethical companies with “greenwashed” ones. During the workshop, we didn't just sit and listen; we got our hands dirty and our minds working with interactive activities and games. These experiences helped us reflect on our own needs, wants, lifestyle choices, and habits. By challenging ourselves to rethink our assumptions and behaviors, we gained a deeper understanding of how to live more sustainably and be more mindful of our environmental impact. From simple everyday actions to larger lifestyle choices, we learned that every decision counts in our journey to becoming greener individuals. And we didn't just stick to the classroom; we took our learning outside, immersing ourselves in nature and exploring ways to bring that love for the outdoors into our teaching: living the environment is the first step to love it and take care of it 🌻 Throughout the workshop, we delved into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by engaging in reading sessions and lively discussions. Each participant had the opportunity to explore and analyze the goals individually, gaining a deeper understanding of the specific targets and indicators outlined within each goal. Through group discussions, we shared insights, perspectives, and personal experiences related to the SDGs, enriching our collective understanding of the interconnectedness between environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic development. In addition, we trained our critical thinking skills and discovered the power of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in fostering green skills. Through problem-solving activities and real-world case studies, we learned to analyze complex environmental issues from multiple perspectives and develop innovative solutions. PBL provided a framework for collaborative inquiry and hands-on exploration, empowering us to tackle environmental challenges with creativity and resilience. By engaging in PBL, we not only gained practical skills but also cultivated a commitment to driving positive change in our communities. A part from all the theoretical aspects, one of the highlights of the workshop was surely swapping stories and ideas with fellow educators. It was inspiring to hear about the amazing projects happening around the world and to come away with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. As we said our goodbyes to Bologna, we left with smiles on our faces and hearts full of inspiration 💕 To learn more about this awesome workshop, check out the program here. Nowadays it is important to have a look at different kinds of non-formal teaching methods and strategies to discover their potentialities in enhancing education effectiveness. Thinking beyond the brick-and-mortar walls of the traditional classroom when it comes to learning and preventing early school leaving, non formal education is “any organised educational activity outside the established formal system – whether operating separately or as an important feature of some broader activity – that is intended to serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives” (Philip Coombs, 1973). The new edition of the course “Non-Formal Education Teaching Methods and Strategies” took place in Palermo from 21/04/2024 to 27/04/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Annamarie Jerigová from Saint Nicholas Catholic School in Slovakia, Corina Anamaria David and Maria Chiuda from Centrul Scolar de Educatie Incluziva Nr. 1 in Romania, Fabian Schmitt and Eyleen Hager from TGBBZ 1 in Germany, Ainara Arzalluz Errasti, Ana Isabel Marijuan Artieda, Eider Agudo González from IES Xabier Zubiri Manteao BHI in Spain, and Noora Paquay and Kerli Paarson from Tallinn European School in Estonia. To begin with this week, the participants were asked to explore the differences between formal, informal, and non-formal education through various exercices. They shared their point of view about the characteristics of each of these types of education and debated together by using visual strategies through collages or drawing to stimulate their creativity. In a second time the participants shared their different experiences about non-formal education. We reviewed some possibilities to integrate the non-formal education in the classroom. For example, the creative thinking might be a way of assessment to help the students reflect on their mistakes, by having a guided reflection. We also made the use of digital tools in order to create interactive lessons to catch the attention of the students. Another day was dedicated to team building and team working. A few activities were organized with the participants to apply what they learned about group cooperation. The activities aimed to implement learning, notably through role game. Collaboration is important inside a team to be more productive and give each of the members the possibility to bring its own contribution. Engaging in debate and speaking games represents a form of non-formal education, serving to promote cooperative learning and foster a dialectical approach. The Jigsaw Method guided the participants to have a collaborative spirit in their cooperation process, by practicing experimentation and kindness. After collectively examining various tools and strategies in non-formal education, each participant gained the autonomy to create a new tool suited to their unique school setting. Through the collective creativity and dedication of all involved, the course resulted in a collection of inventive and useful teaching resources crafted by the participating educators.
In summary, across these sessions, participants were able to explore inventive techniques within a nurturing and dynamic atmosphere, refining abilities like teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking. Moreover, they seized the opportunity to craft original and unique non-formal tools and learned from each other. Discover more about this course here. Did you know that playing is key for cognitive development at all ages? Consider your favorite games like hide and seek, puzzles, or board games. These games create lasting memories and feelings because they motivate and engage us deeply. |
Welcome to the ELA Blog. Here you will find articles and photos of our courses and have a look at the topics addressed during the week in Bologna, Palermo and Tenerife. You will also have the chance to take a peek at our projects and check out what we have been up to.
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