"Cognitive Apprenticeship"/ "The application of Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems in homes, farming and industry : advanced skills for teachers and their students"

Topic(s) addressed

• Hands-on learning with experts

• Safety at work

• Starting a business

• Applying theory in real-life situations

• Geothermal Energy- Environmental Benefits

• Prospective and future developments in installations

• Maintaining methodologies

Target groups

• 13 VET apprentices

• 13 VET students and 6 teachers

Methodologies

• All teaching and learning actions were monitored using both on-site and distance support. 

• “Cognitive Apprenticeship”- using the in-school developed App to monitor the interns in real-time 

• Simultaneous training for teachers and students in the “Geothermal” flow,

• Including students from all school sectors, promoting cooperation and a dynamic active role

Key competencies developed: 

• linking theory and practical skills

• Attitudes of self-adaptation

• Ways of informal learning

Environments

• Providing students and teachers with learning space and tools, work placement and innovative energy-saving technologies.

• Creating good environment for cooperation and teamwork

• Supporting cross-sectoral cooperation in electrical and mechanical engineering.

• Collaboration of all parties- a revised approach to geothermal installation.

Teachers

• By participating in training or assisting the interns the teachers advanced their professional skills. 

• Their cross-sectoral cooperation enhanced their ability to discover different aspects of teaching and lifelong learning, 

• They used new digital technologies and created an in-school network to share the results of the ongoing activities.

Impact

• 95%- the level of satisfaction as expressed in participants’ feedback 

• Students had the opportunity for networking with hosting companies in Spain. 

• They built their professional portfolios which helped them find jobs at home.

• The teachers boosted their self-confidence, opened up to new ways of teaching, 

• They gained enthusiasm for cooperating with schools in Europe.