Unlocking the Potential of Non-Formal Teaching Methods and Strategies inEducation

Nowadays it is crucial to explore and get familiar with diverse non-formal teaching methods and strategies to discover their potentialities in enhancing education effectiveness. Thinking beyond the brick- and-mortar walls of the traditional classroom, non formal education is “any organized educational activity outside the established formal system – whether operating separately or as an important feature of some broader activity – that is intended to serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives” (Philip Coombs, 1973).

The new edition of the course Non-Formal Education Teaching Methods and Strategies took place in Bologna from 09/07/2023 to 15/07/2023. The participants came from the schools all across Europe, with Katalin from Vajda Péter Evangélikus Gimnázium, Judit from Budapesti Műszaki SZC Neumann János Informatikai Technikum and Katalin Mária from BSZC Széchenyi Bilingual Secondary School of Economics in Hungary, Ecem from GEBKIM Eğitim, Araştırma ve Sağlık Vakfı in Turkey, Wanda from CVO VOLT in Belgium, Laine and Indra from Barboleta Ltd in Latvia, Simona, Nicoleta and Marilena from SCOALA GIMNAZIALA NR. 2 VIDELE in Romania and Almudena from INSTITUTO JUAN DE JUNI in Spain.

During the entire week, we delved into various tools and approaches of non-formal education. At first, we started exploring visual strategies. Participants engaged in artistic activities like creating collages and drawings to stimulate expression through the use of metaphors. Through these visual exercises, the group discovered how art can serve as an effective medium for discussing various topics and expressing complex concepts.

Speaking games and role-play games are another kind of non-formal educational activity: these types of games are useful for enhancing cooperative learning, creativity and to develop public speaking and dialectic skills. Additionally, playing adapted version of Battleship, crosswords and participating in drawing games in pairs offered the new perspective on implementing gamification in the learning process in their schools, adapting these tools to students' needs.

Through the process we also emphasized the importance of team building and team working in education: collaborating with other team members can lead to productive results and allows each member to make their valuable contributions within the group.

On the final day, the participants had a chance to familiarize themselves with a digital tool delving into a city quest in Bologna. This experience enriched their cultural knowledge while also equipping them with the skills to create their own educational paths within the app for use with their students at schools, parks, urban settings and even museums.

In conclusion, the educational experience of this training provided participants with the opportunity to experiment with innovative methods within a safe and stimulating environment. As a result, they enhanced essential skills such as teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking, while also creating unique and effective non-formal educational tools.

Discover more about this course here.