Empowering Educators to Prevent Early School Leaving: Innovative Strategies for Inclusive Learning

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course aims to provide educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to prevent early school leaving (ESL) and promote inclusive learning environments. Recognizing the risks and socio-economic disadvantages associated with early school leaving, this course offers a hands-on experience in identifying students at risk and implementing innovative teaching methodologies that cater to the diverse needs of today’s learners.

The course will delve into various practices, approaches, and school strategies across Europe, fostering discussions and sharing of ideas within an international group setting. Participants will learn how to build an effective, collaborative learning environment that promotes engagement and success for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.

Emphasis will be placed on developing communication strategies for conflict prevention, as well as exploring innovative teaching methods such as Task-Based Learning, Peer Education, and Creative Thinking. Collaborative teaching approaches, including Cross-Curricular Projects, Project-Based Learning, Active and Cooperative Teaching, will be explored to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility among students.

The course will also address the importance of student assessment, mindfulness, emotional and social learning, and effective use of ICT in creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. Participants will gain insights into working with heterogeneous classrooms and communities, supporting the inclusion of various minorities into mainstream education, and promoting peer exchange and active participation.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided cultural visit, allowing participants to explore local heritage and sustainable practices. This visit will further enrich their understanding of inclusive and environmentally conscious approaches to education.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Understanding early school leaving and inclusive education

  • Icebreakers and networking activities
  • Introduction to the course and participants
  • Overview of the course methodology and expectations
  • Exploring the concept of early school leaving and its implications
  • Practices and approaches for preventing early school leaving across Europe
  • Group discussions: Sharing personal experiences and challenges in promoting inclusive education

Day 2: Identifying and supporting students at risk

  • Techniques for identifying students at risk of early school leaving
  • Communication strategies for conflict prevention and student engagement
  • Hands-on activities: Developing effective communication plans

Day 3: Innovative teaching methodologies for inclusive learning

  • Task-Based Learning and Peer Education
  • Creative Thinking and fostering student motivation
  • Collaborative teaching methods: Cross-Curricular Projects and Project-Based Learning
  • Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices

Day 4: Promoting inclusive learning environments

  • Active and Cooperative Teaching strategies
  • Student assessment and mindfulness in the classroom
  • Multiculturalism and supporting learners from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Effective use of ICT in inclusive education

Day 5: Implementing inclusive strategies and course wrap-up

  • Developing action plans for preventing early school leaving and promoting inclusive learning
  • Presentations: Participants share their inclusive teaching strategies and action plans
  • Course evaluation and feedback
  • Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the concept of early school leaving and its implications for students, educators, and society.
  • Identify students at risk of early school leaving and develop strategies to support their engagement and success.
  • Implement innovative teaching methodologies, such as Task-Based Learning, Peer Education, and Creative Thinking, to foster inclusive learning environments.
  • Design collaborative teaching approaches, including Cross-Curricular Projects, Project-Based Learning, Active and Cooperative Teaching, to promote student participation and shared responsibility.
  • Develop effective communication strategies for conflict prevention and student engagement, fostering a positive learning environment.
  • Integrate mindfulness, emotional and social learning, and effective use of ICT into their teaching practices to support inclusive education.
  • Evaluate student assessment methods and adapt them to cater to diverse learners’ needs and abilities.
  • Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and resources for preventing early school leaving and promoting inclusive learning.
  • Incorporate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their inclusive teaching methodologies, promoting environmentally conscious practices.
  • Develop a comprehensive action plan for preventing early school leaving and creating inclusive learning environments that celebrate diversity and support the success of all students.

Course fee:

  • 400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

  • At least 25 hours of course content;
  • Course materials;
  • Certificate of participation;
  • Europass, on request;
  • Learning / Mobility Agreement;
  • Visits to local institutions, if available;
  • Personalized support;
  • Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
  • Refreshments;
  • Administration costs;
  • Dissemination materials.
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