Exploring the most recent educational trends

Today our school systems are facing a mismatch between the traditional way of teaching and what students like and expect. For this reason, engaging students is a complex challenge and using innovative teaching methods can be a significant way to motivate them and to enhance their learning. Thanks to different kind of studies and research, today there are many available tools and possibilities that can be used in the school environment: gamification, non-formal education, peer learning, and ICT are some of the many methodologies that can be integrated with a traditional and formal teaching.

The new edition of the course “Innovative teaching methods for teachers, school and adult education staff​” took place in Palermo from 29/10/2023 to 04/11/2023. The participants came from all across Europe, with Sonja from Herderschule Gießen in Germany; Katerina, Katya, Petia and Zhulieta from Ekzarh Antim I in Bulgaria; Daiga from Valmieras Gaujas krasta vidusskola - attīstības centrs in Latvia; Darja coming from OŠ Zagradec, Slovenia; Tanja from WinNova in Finland;  Eglė and Indrė from Classical Education School of VMU in Lithuania;  Fabienne from Bodin videregåendeskole in Norway; and Brigitte and Catherine from Lycée de la Plaine de l'Ain, France.

We started by focusing on the meaning of innovation for every participants and then we reflected on the main problems that education faces today. After recognizing the problems, the teachers tried to identify the skills that both teachers and students need in today’s society. The participants also had the chance to present their schools and methodologies. 

The first methodology we focused on was Non-Formal Education. We used some visual strategies and teambuilding games that showed the power of this methodology. In fact, starting from the activities, we explored the Kolb’s experiential learning cycle and we learned how it allows to pass from reflection to conceptualization and application, giving the student an active role in the learning process.

The participants had also the opportunity to have fun while putting into practice and testing some Gamification activities. They learned how to create an engaging escape room with an easy ICT tool and tried to create their own, defining their learning objective and making up a catchy storyline. Moreover, they reflected on how to use the games that were presented in their classrooms.
Thanks to an ICT tool, the teachers had the opportunity to participate in a special type of treasure hunt, discover Palermo and deepen the power of both Gamification and Urban Outdoor Education in a very funny way.

Finally, we explored the world of the ICT tools. We practiced several tools in class, finding out new ways to engage students and assess them. We also looked at some cooperative learning strategies belonging to the world of Peer Learning and feedback, thanks to which students can learn with and from each other.

This course gave participants an overview of different innovative approaches that will certainly inspire our teachers and strengthen their commitment in engaging and motivating their students.
​  
Discover more about this course here.