Exploring Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence: Empowering Educators with Necessary Competences4/30/2024 In the constantly evolving world, the importance of soft skills cannot be overstated, especially in the field of education.. As educators ourselves, we understand the challenges modern teachers face in the learning process, aiming to achieve not only academic excellence, but also the emotional development of their students. Competencies such as emotional intelligence, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, and stress management are indispensable both within educational settings and in various aspects of life. Through a blend of theoretical insights and hands-on exercises, our participants gained valuable insights into enhancing their communication skills. The new edition of the course “Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence for teachers and education staff” took place in Bologna from 07/04/2024 to 13/04/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Maja, Pavlina and Lidija from SUGS High School ''Rade Jovchevski Korchagin' in North Macedonia in Skopje, Ismena and Aleksandra from City Libraries of Zagreb in Croatia, Christine from Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium Weißenburg in Germany, and Jolanta, Agnieszka and Krzysztof from X Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace w Białymstoku in Poland. The first topic we covered in the course was Emotional Intelligence. This term means understanding not only our own feelings but also how others feel, so we can better understand ourselves and the world around us. Another skill we worked on during this session was empathy. Through a series of exercises, participants learned how to practice empathy, control their emotions, stay motivated, and connect with others. An effective educator embodies leadership within the classroom, as their main goal lies within motivating and guiding students toward specific objectives. Leadership manifests in diverse forms, each with varying effectiveness depending on the context. Consequently, participants had a dedicated activity to reflect on the key attributes of leaders they admire and to analyze different leadership styles. Effective communication stands out as a paramount skill for successful teamwork. Participants dedicated their focus to understanding various communication styles: aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive, exploring them in practical exercises. One of the main insights became the realization that while demonstrating assertiveness may present challenges, it definitely entails effectively communicating their needs without resorting to impoliteness. In order to improve their communication skills, the participants had to prepare their own presentation, working on their public speaking skills. While improvising their speech in front of the audience, they acquired multiple tips and tricks on how to effectively present themselves, how to control their body language and nonverbal communication. The last topic of this course was Conflict and stress management. Various situations may happen at the workplace, especially in the educational field, and navigating conflicts does not always appear straightforward. However, through open dialogue and sharing personal experiences, participants discovered that conflicts are commonplace and can serve as opportunities for growth and development, rather than solely bringing negative consequences, emotions and fall-outs.
This course allowed participants to develop necessary competences for teaching in a modern environment, providing a platform for shared experiences and mutual learning. Each person bringing their unique background and experience ensured the growth of the group as a whole. Moreover, cultural activities in the city, planned by our team, provided some networking opportunities, confirming the idea of informal learning happening outside the classroom! Discover more about this course here. 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. Exploring classrooms in nature: The impact of Outdoor Learning Activities for preschoolers4/24/2024 Outdoor education is a progressive teaching approach that not only fosters enduring educational experiences but also supports environmental consciousness. Learning while being around the nature significantly influences the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional growth of preschoolers. This becomes increasingly essential in times of the prevailing climate crisis, as a generation rooted in outdoor experiences is more inclined to become keepers of the environment. It is valuable as a strong tool to address two pressing issues of contemporary society: ensuring enduring educational excellence and developing a generation conscious of the urgent need to protect our planet amidst the threat of climate crisis. Last week, from 14/04/2024 to 20/04/2024, the new version of our interesting course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Palermo. The participants came from all across Europe, with Lupe and Cindia from C.E.B.I.P. Pinar Prados de Torrejón as well as Mary and Ali from Colexio Guillelme Brown coming to us from Spain. Also, Stéphanie from Ecole La Salle in France, Sara and Elina from Vasaramäen päiväkoti in Finland enriched our course. Even Peter from Evanjelická spojená škola in Slovakia showed up again and again. This course is specially designed for preschool teachers. Participants learned about the Italian education system and presented their own schools to compare their different methods and approaches, conditions and pedagogical foundations. Beginning with the definition for outdoor education, the advantages of outdoor education were analysed and discussed, and participants had the opportunity to share their practices of teaching in nature. An additional session of the course thematised the exchange of activities in a natural environment in a nearby park. The games were of course tried out and were very well received, inspiring participants to plan their own outdoor activities and adapt them to the needs of their children. Furthermore, a method was applied to the park we visited the previous day. By familiarising themselves with the chosen area in advance, participants learned the importance of planning the outdoor area to anticipate dangers and minimise risks. This practical approach enabled them to gain useful knowledge to plan a safe outdoor activity for their pupils. In the two places Istituto Internazionale Montessori and Istituto Minutoli, centres for pre-school children with an ecological approach, the participants had the opportunity to observe and record an effective example of outdoor learning and the children's interaction with each other and with nature. In the visit we also met our special guest of the week: Orlando Furioso.
Finally, the workshop focussed on skills for a sustainable approach to nature and their application in the classroom. There was a brief excursion into the theory of climate change and tips on how to introduce the topic to young children, with lots of games that they can put into practice. In the Outdoor Activity Workshop, participants were able to explore a variety of activities that they can do with their children, showing that learning can also happen outside the classroom walls! Discover more about this course here. Understanding how to interact with nature has a significant impact on the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of preschool children. This is particularly important in the context of the current climate crisis, as a generation accustomed to the outdoors is more likely to be concerned about the environment. Outdoor education is emerging as a pioneering educational strategy that not only provides lasting, high-quality learning experiences, but also fosters an ethos of environmental stewardship. By intertwining these aims, outdoor education addresses two of the most important issues facing society today: providing lasting educational excellence and instilling a deep appreciation of the need to protect our planet in the face of the daunting challenge of climate change. The new edition of the course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Tenerife from 14/04/2024 to 20/04/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Blanche Ancellin from Ecole Maternelle Maurice Caeme in France, Eva Hrönn Jónsdóttir Valey and Sara Árnadóttir from preeschool Álfheimar in Iceland, Aude Kedzia and Benjamin Soulas from Notre Dame des Collines and Anastasija Utyrė, Eglė Malašauskė and Silvija Krutėjevaitė from UAB STEAM pasaulis in Lithuania We start our journey together by finding a definition of outdoor education and we delve deeper into its benefits. Participants had the opportunity to share their personal experiences of teaching in nature. Tailored specifically for pre-school educators, the course also provided an insight into the Spanish education system. Participants gave presentations on their respective schools to encourage comparative analysis of teaching methods and approaches. A significant part of the programme focused on hands-on activities in the local parks and beautiful beaches of Tenerife. The range of games tested during these sessions were well received and served as a source of inspiration for participants to design and develop their own outdoor educational activities, tailored to the specific needs of their students. Participants also gained insight into the crucial aspect of outdoor space management, learning how to carefully analyse areas to prevent potential hazards. Through practical outdoor exercises, they identified key zones, potential hazards, and recreation and relaxation areas. This experiential learning approach equipped them with the skills to organise safe outdoor activities for their students. A visit to a rural school provided a first-hand opportunity to discover an exemplary model of outdoor learning. Observing children actively engaged with their peers and the natural environment provided valuable insights into the practical implementation of outdoor education. The final part of the course focused on cultivating ecological knowledge and integrating green practices into pedagogy. Participants delved into theoretical discussions on climate change and gained strategies for effectively addressing the issue with young learners, using a range of engaging games and activities.
Discover more about this course here. Over the past few years, traditional education has moved towards virtual lessons and online classes. This change forced us to find new ways to teach and learn from a distance. Using new technologies, digital tools, and interactive learning platforms turned out to be a successful strategy. These technologies helped teachers keep their virtual classes engaging and dynamic. These tools also showed their value in physical classrooms, particularly in keeping students attentive and excited about learning. |
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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