Connect2018

Topic(s) addressed

• EU Citizenship, EU awareness

• Sustainability & Entrepreneurship

• International Cooperation

Target groups

• Staff

Methodologies

• Students cooperated on various real-life projects included in their curriculum.

• The activities were carried out on-site and virtually using diversity (culinary traditions, customs) as valuable teaching tools

• Fostering entrepreneurial skills

• Teachers as learners gaining new knowledge and skills (water treatment, beer brewing) 

Environments

• The project provided multiple platforms for innovative endeavours. 

• The design for Sustainable Seating encouraged students to use sustainable materials and resources. 

• The Water Treatment project was directly concerned with sustainability. 

• A whole-school cross-sectoral approach was adopted e.g. in the Opera Aida where students from multiple programmes were involved (costume/interior/stage design; media audio-visual production; performing arts -backstage, make-up/hair. 

Teachers

• In VET the teacher takes on the role of mentor and facilitator, while students take an increasingly self-directed approach to learning. 

• Teachers’ skills must focus on guidance more than instruction and support more than direction.

• Various cross-institutional mobilities exposed educators to alternative methodologies and approaches in VET. 

• Peer learning was demonstrated in the Water treatment training programme.

Impact

• The project has had a very positive impact on participants, particularly through the innovative linking of formal and non-formal learning achieved through collaboration with various stakeholders. 

• Projects and activities supported learning in line with the curriculum for both, students and teachers.

• Through pre-planned mobilities, participants had also the opportunity to develop a sense of community beyond their own country’s borders and within a broader European framework.