This course rotated around positive practices in the classroom. The participants reflected on their concept of the "perfect classroom environment", and were provided with the abilities of compelling classroom management to encourage improvement. The course points to bolster classroom tool building and positive climate practices for the students. The above topics and further themes were discussed in the new edition of the course "Effective Classroom Management Strategies for teachers and education staff" that took place in Palermo from 10/03/2024 to 16/03/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Veronika and Liene from Riga Zolitude Grammar School Zolitūdes ģimnāzija in Latvia, Bára from Gymnázium, Mladá Boleslav, Palackého 191/1 in Czech Republic, Patricia Ann and Fangyu from Numedal videregående skole in Norway and Stien and Dries from Hoger Technisch Instituut Sint-Antonius (OKAN) in Belgium. We started the course by analysing one of the first themes: Social Emotional Learning. This skill regards the capacity of individuals to recognize their own and other people's emotions, distinguish between different feelings, label them properly, and use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior. Social Emotional Learning is really important in education to create a more tolerant and supportive atmosphere in their class. Then we explored Group Dynamics. Learning how to be careful about the different dynamics in a class is a crucial element in assuring a calm atmosphere that encourages students’ participation and also avoids school dropouts. Different activities were performed to develop high sensitivity to different behaviours of individuals in a group and practice inclusive approaches. The participants worked on communication too, mainly investigating the importance of encouraging a growth mindset and trust-building discussion, but also how to structure effective and constructive feedback. Another crucial topic discussed in class was Conflict Management. After exploring their perceptions and preconceptions, the participants acquired insights into how conflicts can also be particularly beneficial if handled in the right way. In addition, the participants, combining theory and practice, tested some ICT tools that could help manage a Flipped Classroom, an original educational approach that can create quite efficient and practical management of their classes. At the end of the course, three main aspects of Classroom Management emerged as critically important in shaping a supportive environment for all the students. The first one is Engagement: the class should have a strong network of relationships, fostering respect for diversity and school participation. The second factor discussed was Safety because the class should be a safe place, both emotionally and physically. Lastly, the Environment is essential: the class should be a joyful place, transmitting peace and calm and promoting dialogue and understanding. During this week participants shared their different ideas and cultural backgrounds enriching the course and creating a lovely experience enriched with empathy and sensitivity but also fun! Discover more about this course here.
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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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