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Description
The idea of the project came from the shared motivation of two university workplaces to establish cross-border learning community of university students and academic staff, where participants will try to implement philosophy and practice of sustainable development and social responsible behaviour into curricula and daily life of vocational education institutions in the Czech Republic and Norway.
The target group of the project are current university students of pedagogy study field, later they become teachers of vocational subjects within agricultural or other related sector. The other target group are academic staff from Norwegian and Czech universities of life sciences. These teachers train future VET teachers in didactics, social pedagogy, environmental and intercultural education. Their main role in the project will be preparing teaching materials for two international training courses, teaching and coaching future VET teachers at both courses and sharing or exchanging good practices in terms of approaches of social responsibility and sustainable development.
The first two-week international course will run in Norway and the second in the Czech republic. At each course, future VET teachers and academic staff from partner institutions will learn and work together. The main aim of the course is to conduct several team teaching units at vocational schools. The intensive courses would bring a great opportunity to acquire innovative didactic methods and forms, to get familiar with examples of good practices in terms of sustainable and socially responsible approach in vocational education and to develop didactic and pedagogic competences in an international environment.
The project activities should also strengthen the partnership between the Czech training institute and the Norwegian university.
Summary of project results
The project was driven by the shared motivation of Norwegian and Czech university departments specializing in pedagogy and didactics to create an international community of students and academic staff. This community provided participants with the opportunity to develop teamwork skills and gain insights into the philosophy, principles, and practices of sustainable development and socially responsible behaviour in vocational education.
The project team organized two key international educational activities: a summer school in Norway, and a field course in the Czech Republic. These activities were designed for university students training to become teachers at secondary vocational schools. The programmes took place in diverse settings, such as traditional classrooms, greenhouses, and stables, as well as in Norway’s Lake Gjende region and the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in Czechia. During two-week internships, students collaborated in smaller international teams on assigned tasks, working closely with peers from the host university. A central aspect of the programme was team teaching at secondary schools in both Norway and Czechia, allowing participants to apply their learning in real-world teaching environments.
The project delivered transformative experiences for participants. Participants engaged in activities like "look, touch, explore, create, think," enhancing their connection to nature. They walked around lakes, climbed peaks, and explored local rocks, plants, and animals. These immersive experiences fostered personal insights and provided opportunities to share and reflect on these experiences with others. Through nature exploration, participants developed a deeper understanding of their place in the world. They examined how human activity has shaped the environment, questioning where it has been beneficial and where it poses challenges. And by reflecting on the coexistence of humans and nature, participants gained a sense of hope for fostering a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment.
The project provided both students and academic staff with life-enriching experiences, emphasizing sustainability and social responsibility. These outcomes benefited future teachers, empowering them to integrate these values into vocational education and inspire the next generation.
Summary of bilateral results
Both universities contributed key outputs to the project, including curricula for intensive international learning activities, study materials for a virtual course, and enhanced skills for staff and students. Czech participants gained insights into Norway’s strong focus on sustainable development, where education about nature and sustainability is deeply integrated into school curricula. Norwegian schools foster a strong connection between children and nature, encouraging real-world application of classroom knowledge. Czech students also experienced a different teaching approach at the host secondary school.Norwegian participants observed unique sustainability strategies at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, noting differences in how sustainability is integrated into curricula. The project strengthened partnerships between the universities and equipped future teachers with tools to promote sustainability, fostering responsible citizenship. Its success highlights the importance of addressing global educational challenges through practical, impactful solutions.