Childhood in a box

Topic(s) addressed

• Creativity and culture (active, historical and everyday encounters)

• Social dialogue (similarities, differences)

• Pedagogy and didactics 

• Achieving sustainable project outcome 

Target groups

• Pupils 

• Teachers 

• Educators 

• Host families

Methodologies

Using a variety of methods: 

• Setting up a competition to choose the logo of the project

• Creating mind maps to develop the task structure for the first year under the “moving” motto. 

• Developing social skills through group work, scenic play, expert interviews and abstraction. 

• All conclusions were illustrated with schemes/diagrams and presented in a school forum to external and interested parties. 

• Using digital learning channels such as the project blog, the production of a virtual tour, own eBooks or Skype.

Environments

• A GTA Europe, a pin board, games and project days offered different learning channels and fostered sustainable learning through the focus on active learning. 

• Extensive use of digital environment e.g. Skype conferencing, chats, video shooting with a drone and a virtual museum tour

• The teacher meetings provided insight into other educational systems and reflection on the methodologies.

Teachers

• In the on-site meetings and through joint planning, the teachers were able to strengthen their own intercultural competence, were introduced to new methods, reflected and supported the pupils using their experience. 

• They actively dealt with their language barriers and new technological possibilities of networking. 

• The teachers had a chance to become learners and channel their own motivation and curiosity towards the project success. 

• Establishing productive collaboration practices by the teachers

Impact

• A significant boost in learning at different levels: European education, communication, methodology, technology, value building, organisation, etc. 

• Building tolerance and openness towards other cultures 

• Sustainable learning progress in languages and technology 

• Promoting the European idea even further

• Increased willingness to participate in future projects