The latest educational trends going beyond the traditional classroom

Activating students is a complex challenge: using innovative methods can be a significant resource to motivate them and to enhance their learning. Thanks to different types of studies and research, there are many strategies and tools existing today that can be used in the school environment: project-based learning, non-formal education, outdoor education and ICT are some of the many possibilities that can be integrated with traditional teaching methods.
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​The new edition of the course “Innovative teaching methods for teachers, school and adult education staff​” took place in Palermo from 23/06/2024 to 29/06/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, representing a diverse range of institutions. Nikola and Barbara joined us from Gimnazija Vukovar in Croatia; while Veronika came from Základní škola Kopřivnice Alšova in the Czech Republic. From Poland, we had Marta and Łukasz from Kolegium Edukacyjne PSO, Szkoła Społeczna Dębinka; Justyna and Elżbieta from Zespół Szkół Technicznych w Częstochowie; Ewa, Małgorzata, Monika, and Aneta from IV Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Białymstoku; and Bogumiła from ZSiPO. Additionally, Ainhoa joined us from IES EIBAR BHI in Spain; as well as three participants from Austria: Ingo and Doris from HLW Feldbach, and Verena from VS WEIZ. 

​On the first day we discussed the characteristics of contemporary teaching methods. As we started to delve deeper into the topics, visual strategies and team building games showed the power of non-formal education. In fact, based on the activities, we explored Kolb's experiential learning cycle and learned how it allows to move from reflection to conceptualisation and application, giving the student an active role in the learning process.
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Later, we explored innovative teaching methods with ICT. We practiced 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. 

​Thanks to an ICT tool, the teachers had the opportunity to participate in a special type of treasure hunt, discover the city center of Palermo and deepen the power of Outdoor Education in a funny way. 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 the nature and the consequent reduction of the stress. 

​As we discovered on the final day, Project Based Learning allows students to engage with content in a more direct and meaningful way, starting from a topic question and trying to investigate real world issues. By analysing the principles of PBL, the course participants had the opportunity to discover how teamwork, collaboration and creativity can help students to find the way to deal with real problems, to learn strategically and to seek the answers from the beginning. 

​At the end of the week, the team spirit was so high that it was hard to say goodbye. However, our group was very eager to go back and start implementing all the many ideas that had been generated during the course. Another great week of inspiration was over, but only to be continued back in their own countries.
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Discover more about this course here.