Switching things up in the classroom: innovative teaching methods

To engage students, it’s a complex challenge: using innovative methods can be a significant resource to motivate them and to enhance their learning. Thanks to different kinds of studies and research, today there are many tools available that can be used in the school environment: project-based learning, non-formal education, outdoor education, and ICT are some of the many opportunities that can be integrated with traditional teaching methods.

The new edition of the course “Innovative teaching methods for teachers, school and adult education staff​” took place in Bologna from 17/07/2022 to 23/07/2022. The participants came from all across Europe, with Oliwia Galczynska from Poland; Carla Leal, Gisela Gregorio from Portugal; Sorina Diaconescu, Iulian Catalui, George Mihaila, Silviu Manzaleanu from Romania; Kirsty Laubova from Czech Republic; Pamfilia Dumitrascu, Mariana Gaiu, Monica Iancu, Alina-Ramona Vlad from Romania; and Maria Gil Saez from Spain.

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On the first day we discovered the main differences between Formal Education, Non-Formal Education and Informal Education. In fact through some activities we understood how and when to use each of them at a specific time. Moreover we focused on non formal education, since nowadays the method is less used in classrooms. We created a gallery with our non formal education presentations. We explored the Kolb’s experiential learning cycle and we learned how it allows it to pass from reflection to conceptualization and application, giving the student an active role in the learning process.  We also talked about Inclusion by playing games in which we had to put our feet inside other people’s shoes to reflect on differences and teamwork.

We explored innovative teaching methods with ICT. We practised several tools in class, finding out new ways to engage students, assess and display a lesson. This course helped participants to understand how to work with a more innovative approach in their classes. ​

Analysing the principles of Project Based Learning, the participants of the course had the opportunity to discover how teamwork, collaboration, and creativity can help students to discover the way to deal with real problems, learning strategically and searching for the answers from the start. 
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The teachers had the opportunity to participate in a special type of treasure hunt to discover Bologna and deepen the power of Outdoor Education. Some of the advantages of Outdoor Education that emerged during the debriefing are, on the one hand, the increase in motivation and creativity; on the other, the improvement of the psychophysical well-being thanks to the contact with nature and the consequent reduction of stress. 

It was hard to say goodbye at the end of the week, but the participants were eager to implement what they had learned during this past week. We hope everything goes smoothly for you, good luck!

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Discover more about this course at: https://www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/innovative-teaching-methods.html