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Description
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the education sector hard, revealing noticeable differences in distance learning between intact pupils and pupils with special educational needs (SEN). In the conditions of distance learning, the current scheme of support for pupils by special pedagogues and assistants proves ineffective. One of the solutions is the involvement of social pedagogues who can support pupils in the home environment and thus facilitate greater inclusion of disadvantaged groups of pupils in the class. To reach this goal, we will aim at the preparation of university students-– future teachers. We will focus on their practical knowledge and competencies for working with pupils with SEN and outside the school environment and the specifics of the current education environment.
Our Czech-Norwegian multidisciplinary team will share, collect and analyse new knowledge and experience with social pedagogy from foreign institutions. We aim to transfer the knowledge to the Czech educational system. In the project''s second phase, the team will create an innovative practical part of the curriculum for two study fields and a good practice methodology, including recommendations for implementing the practical curriculum at other universities.
After the end of the project, we will continue to strive to develop mutual relations and prepare a joint study programme together.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the challenges posed by the global pandemic of COVID-19 and social changes, which drastically affected the education of children with special educational needs (SEN). It sought to develop the competences of future social pedagogues and social workers, improve the quality of their practical training, support their skills when working with disadvantaged groups of pupils, and strengthen equality and inclusion of pupils with SEN in the educational process.
The project implemented several activities including research of innovative practical educational methods at Czech and foreign universities, cooperation with a Norwegian partner through online consultations, team visits, practical workshops, and methodical preparation of workshops. It also involved the implementation and verification of researched educational methods in the Czech Republic, innovation of the practical part of the curriculum in the fields of social work and pedagogy, compilation of a methodology of good practice, and a final project conference. The outputs included a summary document describing the practice at selected universities, a methodology for implementing workshops, an innovated practical part of the curriculum, and a methodology of good practice.
The project achieved its goals of improving the practical training of future social pedagogues and workers, and strengthening the inclusion of disadvantaged groups of pupils. The beneficiaries were students and teachers of social pedagogy and social work fields, as well as other universities in the Czech Republic. The long-term impacts of the project include streamlining the work of social pedagogues with pupils, improving the classroom climate in schools, strengthening cooperation between pupils, and streamlining the teaching process.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation with partner took place on several levels and had a major impact on the project implementation. Norway in particular is one of the most multicultural countries, which is perceived positively for its innovative approach to social work and the integration of different social groups. The cooperation also included several online consultations that contributed to the formulation of project outputs (research of educational methods, methodology of good practice). Our cooperation in this form will continue and we will be continuously sharing knowledge from the field of social studies innovation.