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Description
The aim of the project is capacity building for 5 primary schools for work with gifted students in the areas of active citizenship and entrepreneurship, through the improvement of the skills and competencies of 75 teachers and other educators. Three of the schools (in Dvor, Hrvatska Dubica and Kistanje) are located in the least developed group of units of local self-governance (1st) and the primary schools in Dvor and Hrvatska Dubica have been badly impacted by the earthquake in their county, while 2 schools are located in Slavonski Brod (6th group). In addition to education and development of teaching materials, the project envisions the transfer of knowledge and best practices from the Norwegian partner.
Summary of project results
The project faced a number of complex problems within the education system, especially in the context of empowering teachers and educational workers. First, many teachers did not have adequate skills to work with gifted students, resulting in insufficient support and untapped potential of these students. This problem was particularly pronounced in less developed regions, where resources and access to quality education were limited. Second, there was a clear need to modernise teaching methods, as traditional approaches were often inadequate to foster creativity and critical thinking. Teachers often relied on outdated teaching methods that did not meet the needs of today''s students, leading to reduced student interest and engagement.
Third, challenges in communication and cooperation between schools and partners hampered the exchange of experiences and resources, further slowing down progress. Many teachers did not have the opportunity to participate in peer consultations or exchanges of experiences, resulting in isolated approaches and a lack of innovation in teaching methods. In addition, the lack of institutional support and cooperation between different educational institutions made it difficult to implement new ideas and approaches. These problems required an integrated approach that would include education, collaboration, and innovation to create a supportive learning environment. The project was therefore aimed at strengthening the capacity of teachers, encouraging cooperation between schools and developing new teaching materials that would meet the needs of students.
The project implemented a variety of activities that significantly contributed to the development of teachers'' and educational workers'' competencies. Through a series of educational workshops, seminars and online platforms, participants had the opportunity to learn from experts in the field of STEM, ICT, entrepreneurship and active citizenship. These activities were designed to ensure that teachers gain practical knowledge and skills that they can immediately apply in their classrooms. In addition, the project resulted in the creation of teaching materials that have been reviewed and available for further use, thus ensuring the sustainability of the achieved results.
Through the evaluation of the activities, the participants expressed a high level of satisfaction, and the average satisfaction score of 6.03 indicates the success and relevance of the conducted trainings. These trainings included practical examples, group discussions and interactive workshops that encouraged the active participation of teachers. Also, the project enabled participants to develop their own curricula and strategies, which further strengthened their professional practice. Through the final conference, the results of the project were presented to the general public and relevant stakeholders, which ensured the visibility of the achieved results. This approach not only empowered teachers, but also encouraged the wider community to think about the importance of innovation in education.
The results of the project are multiple and have long-term effects on the education system. First, teachers acquired new knowledge and skills that they applied in working with gifted students, which improved the quality of teaching and encouraged the development of creativity and critical thinking among students. This change in approach to teaching has resulted in greater student engagement and better educational outcomes. Secondly, the project contributed to strengthening cooperation between schools, which resulted in an increased exchange of resources and experiences, and thus better educational practices. Teachers began to share their successes and challenges, which created a stimulating environment for further development.
Thirdly, the project has created the foundations for future initiatives and collaborations, including the possibility of expanding to Erasmus+ projects, thus ensuring further development and international cooperation. These effects not only improve educational outcomes for gifted students, but also contribute to the overall improvement of the quality of education in the region. Also, the project encouraged teachers to become active participants in professional development, which can lead to further innovations and improvements in the education system. Ultimately, the project contributed to the creation of a sustainable model of education that can respond to the challenges of the future, ensuring a better future for all students.
Summary of bilateral results
The project achieved significant bilateral results through cooperation with the Norwegian partner. This cooperation has enabled teachers and educators from Croatia to access innovative teaching methods and educational resources that have been proven successful in Norway in working with gifted students. The first result includes supported bilateral cooperation, which has been partially achieved due to challenges in communication and logistics. Despite these challenges, the project managed to sustain key activities that enabled the continuation of cooperation.The second result refers to successful institutional cooperation for the exchange of knowledge and good practices on skills and competences, which was fully achieved through cooperation between eight institutions. This cooperation has enabled teachers to exchange experiences and resources, thus creating the foundations for long-term cooperation and joint development of educational programs. Through the organization of joint workshops and seminars, teachers had the opportunity to learn from each other, which resulted in an increase in professional competence and the strengthening of their teaching practices.In addition, the project enabled online workshops to be held that ensured the transfer of knowledge and experience, despite changes in format due to challenges with travel and communication. These online activities allowed participants to participate regardless of physical distance, thus ensuring continuity in education and information exchange. Through these activities, the project has achieved goals related to increasing the exchange of knowledge and good practices in the field of entrepreneurship and active citizenship, thus contributing to the strengthening of cross-sectoral cooperation.The results also included the development and improvement of models and practices in working with gifted children, whereby the project significantly improved educational practices and empowered teachers in their work.