EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM– Learning from sites, museums, monuments & nature (6-day/ 7-day course) Limassol

There is strong evidence that good quality of learning outside the classroom adds much value to classroom learning. It can lead to a deeper understanding of the concepts that span traditional subject boundaries and which are frequently difficult to teach effectively using classroom methods alone. Through first hand learning experiences, pupils experience the world and construct their own learning. This is an essential part of their personal development. Subjects become more vivid, interesting, and interdisciplinary. Learning outside the classroom is the vehicle to develop the capacity to learn. It provides framework for learning that uses surroundings and communities outside the classroom. A range of activities can be conducted, including field studies and investigations in the local area or further to sites, museums, monuments & nature.

This 6-day course gives participants theoretical background about Education outside the classroom (EOTC), as well as practical guidelines to integrate activities and implement programmes across the areas of curriculum and school life. Discussions, site visits and group work will enrich sharing ideas and exchange of practice between participants. There is also the possibility to extend the course to 7-day.

The cost for 6-day course is 480 euro and for 7-day course is 560 euro. It includes course fees, course material, entrance to museums and tours.

Objectives

During the course, participants will:

get informed about the role, objectives and benefits of Education outside the classroom
examine the importance of Experiential Learning and its contribution to lifelong learning
get in touch with educational programmes in museums, archeological sites and environmental centers that are implemented in Cyprus
examine examples of good practice from participants’ schools
examine methodologies and strategies for implementing outdoor activities
discuss the integration of activities/ programmes outside the classroom across the areas of curriculum in conjunction with the school policy and pupils’ age and abilities
get informed about implementing school visits and organizing short or long activities to various sites, museums, monuments and out in nature
examine the use of ICT tools for collecting data; sharing data & communication; for map skills; for creative activities
visit sites, museums, monuments etc. and plan activities/ programmes

Preparation

After confirming registration, participants will be informed about the details of the course (arrival, daily programme etc.). Participants will be able to introduce themselves and bring a few examples of activities/ programmes outside the classroom implemented by their school/ community.

Course schedule

DAY 1

Warm up activities
EOTC: A new way of teaching & learning
EOTC & lifelong learning skills
Activities for team building
History of EOTC
EOTC & Curriculum
Visit to Kourion archaeological site
Discussion about activities in archaeological sites.

DAY 2

Orientation activities & tools
Implementing outdoor education
Approaches for EOTC
Tools of EOTC
ICT tools for collecting data
Practical issues
ICT tools for sharing data & communication
Activities in school grounds
Educational programmes in Cyprus

DAY 3

Visit to Limassol Old city center, Carob Mill Museum, Medieval Castle & Museum and other monuments.
Doing activities in the city center.
Data collection for the group work

DAY 4

ICT tools for map skills
Learning from sites
ICT tools for creative activities
Activities in museums and monuments
Learning from objects
Activities in nature
EOTC in some EU countries
Developing staff competence
Examples of activities

DAY 5

Visit to the Akrotiri salt lake, a protected wetland of international importance.
Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre.
Visit to Municipal Gallery and Municipal Garden.
Practicing the use of apps in outdoor activities and data collection.

DAY 6

Methods & techniques for museum and heritage education.
Participants complete the group work, presentation of group work, review of the course, certificates.