As educators and educational personnel, our constant goal is to empower our students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to thrive in our diverse and multicultural society. In today's world, where diversity and tolerance are paramount, fostering these values in the classroom has become essential for teachers, schools, and adult education programs. Cultivating empathetic and open-minded individuals can create a significant impact not only on learners but on society as a whole. The new edition of the course “Diversity in the classroom: teaching tolerance and overcoming prejudices and discrimination” took place in Bologna from (18/02/2024 - 24/02/2024). The participants came from all across Europe, with Soňa Šťastná from Základní škola Humpolec in Czech Republic; Taina Rauhamaki from Live Vocational College in Finland; Maria João Carvalho from Agrupamento de Escolas de Eiriz, Baião and Ana Marisa Almeida from Agrupamento de Escolas do Sudeste de Baião in Portugal; Gemma Gou Alsina from Institut Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia (Sant Joan Despí) in Spain; Annika Hansson, Krista Davel and Christa Jonsson from Slottegymnsaiet, Ljusdal in Sweden; Soare Mariana, Negulescu Adriana, Ionescu Simona, Bratu Mihaela Denisa and Tiu Ilarion from Centrul Judetean de Resurse si Asistenta Educationala Ilfov (CJRAE Ilfov) in Romania; Cintia Godoy Torras and Marta Somoza García from CEIP ODÓN DE BUEN in Spain. The initial focus of the course was to delve into the concept of identity. Teachers participated in a hands-on and visual activity designed to explore their own identities. They were tasked with creating portraits, with one half depicting their outward appearance and the other half representing their intrinsic characteristics and values. This exercise led to discussions on how our identities shape our perceptions of the world and of others. We also addressed significant challenges related to recognizing and championing cultural diversity. A TED talk prompted us to consider asking "where are you local?" rather than "where are you from?" as our identity is not solely tied to our country but encompasses our entire cultural background. Our identities are multifaceted and interconnected. A crucial aspect of our exploration into diversity was the discussion on stereotypes—their origins, impacts (both negative and positive), and how they influence our judgments and behaviors. Through storytelling, we observed how stereotypes can evolve into discrimination and biased views. Delving into a sensitive area, we discussed awareness and respect, emphasizing how our perceptions of the world are shaped by our identity. We engaged in various activities and simulations that fostered critical thinking to comprehend the intricate relationship between our values and culture. The part of the course dedicated to membership allowed us to understand the feelings of exclusion and the challenges of inclusion. The "geese exercise" with its exploration of leadership styles was particularly insightful in this context. Additionally, we delved into conflict management and conflict management styles and its significance in creating a supportive environment.
Finally, we explored the vital trait of empathy. Through deep discussions on emotions and feelings, we encouraged teachers to empathize and understand others' perspectives. Recognizing and expressing our emotions is crucial, and teaching these skills to our students is equally important. After all, it was a bright week full of new knowledge, practice, sharing, deep conversations and thoughts, ideas and emotions. Discover more about this course here. |
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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