New methodologies to avoid early school  leaving

The idea of this project came up as a response to the increasing drop out rate and the decreasing motivation of pupils. We have to involve pupils in the learning process and assume that the teacher isn’t the only source of information. Modern learning could be a great option to increase the interest of young people to study. Moreover, new apps in learning, digital materials, new subjects as robotics, 3D printing, new methodologies such as Flipped classrooms and innovations are becoming a trend in education and a must in society. 

Once the partners were chosen, all the schools carried out a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, which was very useful to establish the objectives and goals of the project. 

From our SWOT analysis it turned out that we had the same aims and we also faced similar difficulties when teaching.

The focus of our project is making learning attractive for our students by using new technology and digital tools and to give teachers the means needed to achieve this goal. 

 

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special needs have been affected by the economic crises: demotivation for studying, poor school performance and risk of early school leaving  lead to youth unemployment and and a lack of hope when facing the future. In contrast, the requirements to find a job are so high that our students need to be as qualified as possible.

Therefore one of the goals was to  involve these students in the project to promote inclusion and equity and to prevent their early school leaving. 

Students trained in digital competence and  in foreign languages will be successful candidates for the European labour market and more prepared to adapt to a changing work environment. 

We will provide them with tools and techniques which enable them to enhance their key competences and will help them to be successful European citizens. They will also take part in activities using various ICT tools and develop  their foreign language skills. 

 

The project also focuses on ensuring the professional development of schools and  teachers, who  will exchange the good practice and methods and prepare a set of flipped classrooms, cinema learning and CLIL materials, projects on robotics, etc. 

This will be a cross-curricular project that involves several subjects. We have divided the two years of our project into four parts, each one focusing on a new methodology, subject or digital tool which will be learned in study visits where schools with experience in those aspects will share their knowledge in transnational learning activities. 

Through these activities we hope to raise the students' European awareness and make them successful European citizens by jointly work in the workshops and formative activities organized in the International Study Visits.

Besides, students and teachers will develop other competences as team work and they will practice English as it will be the language used to communicate between all the members of the project.

 

General objectives

- to support the innovation and creativity in didactic activities; implementation of innovative strategies 

- exchange of good practices and creation of networks between schools

- schools development and updating

- fostering peer learning

Specific Objectives contributing to the achievement of some 2020 objectives

For students:

• the development of social and intercultural skills and a European Awareness of community

• the improvement of language skills which will help them to find work and which will strengthen the exchange between students of different countries

• the development of practical skills and an entrepreneurial thinking 

• the reduction of disparities between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are better off

• the development of digital skills by using modern technologies: Flipped classrooms, e-groups, e-twinning, digital apps, 3D printing, robotics

For teachers: 

• the development of intercultural skills as well as a European sense of community and the promotion of e-twinning at schools

• the improvement of personal and professional training and the exchange of knowledge between European teachers as well as the development of a well-connected network, making teaching a more attractive experience 

•the development of digital skills and an increased use of innovative ICT-based teaching methods and evaluation tools integrated in the curriculum 

For the schools and their surrounding areas: 

• the creation of synergies between secondary and vocational schools with more experience in the new subjects related to ICT

• the dissemination of the project’s findings to the public, the Ministry of Education, town halls, other schools

• improved educational opportunities and additional job perspectives

· Increasing the European dimension of our organizations

The achievement of these objectives will be possible  in our project thanks to the variety of experiences and European countries which makes it excellent.