READING THE CITY

READING THE CITY- Using the city as a resource in teaching and learning (6-day/ 7-day course) Limassol

A city is a living organism and a dynamic entity where cultures, traditions, languages and values coexist and interact. It has historical, social, political and environmental structures which affect the lives of citizens. Schools can help pupils develop ways of exploring and reading their city; understanding its structures and participating in its urban way of life. Pupils can feel the city and its pulse; read its atmosphere and create their own identity and the sense of belonging.

This 6-day course gives participants theoretical background how to explore the city and use it as a resource in teaching and learning, 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:

examine the city as a dynamic living organism from historical, cultural and socio -political perspective
discuss aspects of the city and examine the city as a resource and as a place of education
get informed about the importance of experiential learning and its contribution to lifelong learning
develop ways of exploring the city, helping pupils think critically, creatively and reflectively; and to be active citizens
discuss approaches for implementing activities and tools for data collection
get in touch with a variety of activities in neighbourhoods; in the city center; in museums & monuments; in the green areas of the city
examine the use of ICT tools for collecting data; sharing data; for communication; for map skills and for creative activities
practice apps in outdoor activities for data collection
visit sites, museums, monuments etc. and implement activities in the city

Methodology

The working methods that are used are highly practical and participatory. The experiential method is used to encourage the search for contemporary pedagogical theories and teaching approaches. The hands-on approach is used to examine real examples, case studies, surveys and simulations. The group activities foster mutual learning, cooperation and collaboration between participants. The discussions encourage sharing ideas, intercultural dialogue and the exchange of good practices between the participants. Social, networking and cultural activities give participants the opportunity to establish professional cooperation and links with teachers, staff, schools and organisations in Europe. At the end of the course, participants fill in an e-questionnaire for evaluation.

Preparation

After confirming registration, participants will be informed about the details of the course (arrival, daily programme). Participants will be able to introduce themselves and bring a few examples of outdoor programmes and activites in the city implemented by their school.

Course schedule

DAY 1

Welcome -warm up activities.
The City as a resource.
City as a place of education.
Reading the City & Experiential Learning.
Reading the City & Lifelong learning skills.
Activities for team building.
Visit to Kourion archaeological site.
Discussion about activities in archaeological sites.

DAY 2

Aspects of the city.
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 3

City through centuries.
Orientation activities & tools.
City as a living organism.
Implementing activities in the city.
Approaches and tools.
ICT tools for collecting data.

DAY 4

Activities in neighbourhood.
Models of urban structure.
Activities in the city center.
Activities in museums & monuments.
ICT tools for sharing data &
Activities in the green areas.
ICT tools for creative activities.
The role of culture.

DAY 5

Visit the Limassol Archaeological Museum and Municipal Garden.
Practicing the use of apps in outdoor activities and data collection.
Data collection for the group work.

DAY 6

Cities and globalization.
Urban ecology & Sustainable development.
Participants complete the group work, presentation of group work, review of the course, certificates.

DAY 7 (optional)

TOUR TO PAPHOS TOWN
It includes a tour with 5-stops (9:00 am- 5:00 pm)
• Tomb of the kings
• Catacomb of Agia Solomoni
• Paphos Archaeological Park with Roman mosaics
• Paphos Medieval Castle and port
• Petra tou Romiou (birthplace of Aphrodite).