Unleashing Creativity in the Classroom

Course overview

In today’s rapidly evolving world, creativity represents a fundamental skill for the 21st century. Complex problem-solving and creative thinking are essential acquisitions in society and the labor market. While educational institutions emphasize the importance of nurturing creativity in children and preparing them for the future, it is crucial for educators themselves to cultivate and enhance their own creative skills.

This immersive 5-day course is designed to empower teachers across various educational levels to realize the significance of self-improvement in creativity, familiarize themselves with tools that foster creative thinking and teamwork skills, and integrate these tools effectively into their classrooms.

The course will delve into the concept of creative skills, exploring their importance in daily life and the labor market. Participants will discover innovative ways to improve their own creative abilities, as well as those of their students, through theoretical and practical activities.

Emphasis will be placed on developing creative thinking skills, with participants learning the benefits of creative thinking, identifying basic concepts, and challenging themselves through interactive exercises. Participants will also be introduced to digital tools that can support and enhance their creative thinking abilities.

Teamwork skills will be a central focus, as participants explore the importance of collaboration and learn strategies to integrate and develop teamwork skills in the classroom. Participants will gain insights into basic concepts, definitions, and practical approaches to fostering effective teamwork among students.

The course will also introduce participants to various digital tools that can facilitate assessment and evaluation procedures in a more creative and engaging manner. By exploring alternative methods to traditional tests and quizzes, participants will learn how to evaluate their students in ways that promote creativity and active participation.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating inclusive and green dimensions into their creative teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to creativity in education

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Exploring the importance of creative skills in daily life and the labor market
Overview of the creative industry and the professions of tomorrow
Group discussions: Innovative ways to improve creative skills for educators and students

Day 2: Developing creative thinking skills

Part 1: Benefits of creative thinking and basic concepts
Interactive activities to challenge creative thinking abilities
Introduction to digital tools for enhancing creative thinking skills

Day 3: Advancing creative thinking and multimedia integration

Part 2: Exploring advanced concepts in creative thinking
Integrating creative thinking activities into the classroom
Utilizing audio-visual content to make classes more interactive
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
Post-visit: Reflection how to findings from the cultural visit present in a creative way

Day 4: Fostering teamwork and collaboration

Basic concepts and definitions related to teamwork
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
Strategies for integrating and developing teamwork skills in the classroom
Practical exercises to demonstrate the impact of teamwork

Day 5: Creative assessment and evaluation strategies

Exploring digital tools for creative assessment and evaluation procedures
Alternatives to traditional tests and quizzes
Group discussion: Assessment strategies in different countries
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 importance of creative skills in daily life, the labor market, and educational settings.
Develop strategies to improve their own creative skills and those of their students through theoretical and practical activities.
Apply creative thinking skills and utilize digital tools to enhance creative thinking abilities in the classroom.
Integrate interactive activities and multimedia content to make classes more engaging and foster student creativity.
Evaluate the importance of teamwork skills and implement strategies to develop effective teamwork and collaboration among students.
Utilize digital tools and creative approaches to facilitate assessment and evaluation procedures, promoting student engagement and active participation.
Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and resources for unleashing creativity in the classroom.
Incorporate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their creative teaching methodologies, promoting inclusive and environmentally conscious practices.
Develop a comprehensive action plan for integrating innovative strategies and digital tools to foster creativity, engagement, and lifelong learning among students.
Evaluate their own teaching practices and identify areas for continuous improvement in nurturing creativity and engaging learners.

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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