More information
Description
The project "Beyond the classroom - how to gain knowledge and skills" naturally fits the concept of the school''s work in Gródków and its European School Development Plan. The main goal is to build a quality culture in education by increasing the competences of the school and orphanage staff in the area of outdoor education. 20% of the school''s students are the children from the orphanage. Most of them receive psychological and pedagogical support due to their dysfunctions and learning difficulties. It is necessary to implement new working methods that would allow them to go beyond formal education. Outdoor education equips students with skills such as teamwork, interpersonal communication, independence, responsibility for oneself and others, creativity , and cautious reactions in difficult situations. It increases the effectiveness of learning and strengthens emotional ties with the immediate surroundings, the nature, flora and fauna. As part of the project, 5-day training will be conducted by an experienced coaching tandem : the teachers Kristín Einarsdóttir from Iceland and Sarah Jane Anthony from England, who have been specializing in Smart Teachers Play More with outdoor and mindfulness activities for years. The participants of the project will gain knowledge and skills in the area of integration of subject content and educational goals with the methods of outdoor education. During the training, they will take part in practical classes as participants, as leaders with tutorial support, and experiment with group and integration games. They will learn how to use outdoor education for personal, social and relationship-building development. It will also be an opportunity for authentic communication in English.
Summary of project results
As part of the project, a five-day training course was organized with Icelandic female trainers, creators of a method on outdoor education - Smart Teachers Play More. Each of the five days of training was divided into three sessions, during which activities were conducted in the field or in a conference room. The set of activities corresponded to the topic of the session and the stage of training implementation. Each presentation of a game or activity was supported by a workshop activity, which made it easier for participants to understand and assimilate their dynamics and nature. A total of more than 40 mindfulness exercises and games, outdoor education, movement activities that could integrate any lesson content, storytelling, team-building integration activities, breathing and relaxation exercises were conducted.
Summary of bilateral results
Before and after the training, evaluation surveys were conducted, which gave insight into the knowledge gain and satisfaction level of participants. One of the main goals of the intensive training was for participants to gain knowledge and skills on integrating subject content with educational goals using non-formal education methods. Two plans for pedagogical innovations in biology and art lessons were developed. Feedback from questionnaires filled out by participating students shows 100% satisfaction. More trainings are still planned for the school''s teachers so that they can more fully use the exercises, the description and examples of which can be seen on the project website.