Weekly Roundup
Newest e-Tool Kit
DOREA together with partners from Poland, Italy, Estonia and France has launched a new eTool Kit named ‘Training Materials for Creative Reading and Writing´. This toolkit is the final outcome of the Erasmus+ KA2 EU project: Creative Reading and Writing: Exchange of Teaching Strategies in Adult Education. This toolkit is provided for local and international activities for staff and adult learners.
Access to the eTool kit here.
World Tolerance Day
On the 16th of November World Tolerance Day is celebrated. Tolerance can be fostered by mutual understanding among culture and people. In Europe we have seen many changes over the last few years, many refugees have come to seek safety and a new home. The Dalai Lama once said: “Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength”. Let’s make Europe a stronger union by being a bit more tolerant towards each other.
Does It Matter If Man Do Not Teach?
According to the latest Eurostat Data only 15% of primary school teachers in Europe are men. This gender imbalance is expected to increase in the future. Women outnumber men in school education, however, in higher education men make up 60% of the academic staff. This reflects a society that values higher education more than the earlier stages of education. Low salaries and lack of prestige make teaching an unattractive profession. Another reason for this imbalance is linked to a stereotypical belief about gender. As long as the European culture continues to portray men as being unsuited for caring professions, such as teaching, this imbalance is not likely to change.
Read more about this issue and its solutions here.
Digital pedagogies as a tool for flexible learning
Trying to combine work, family life and continuous learning can be a challenge sometimes and in class learning is not always feasible. Next to that, classroom teaching is not the way most of the people approach learning now a days. We explore things of interest to us through books, magazines and above all online. Christine Fenech had the opportunity to test a course that explores the various aspects of digital pedagogies from open education resources (OER), to Wikis digital education resources and games.
Find out more about this course here.
Studying in a Foreign Language
Many higher education institutions offer programmes in English, but you could also consider choosing for a programme in a foreign language. It can be scary to pick a study in another language such as, French, Spanish or Portuguese, depending on where you choose to go. However, it does not have to be scary as long as you prepare yourself. There are several ways to prepare for a study programme in a foreign language: Take a test to get to know your level of that language, study English before starting, study while studying, do not be self-conscious, make international friends, do not be afraid to ask help and last but not least: enjoy!
Find out more here.
Acquiring Functional Basic Skills in An Online Environment
EPALE organised an online discussion on how to acquire basic skills in an online environment. The even took place from Tuesday 13th of November until Wednesday 14th of November. Digital inclusion is one of the most important issues for social inclusion in the 21st century. Adult Learning policies should ensure that all individuals, have access to digital devices and should learn how they can use them in a safe but creative way. Digital literacy is not only to have knowledge of different digital skills, but also a powerful tool in education.
Follow the complete discussion here.
Solidarity in Europe
Solidary is a word often used when speaking of the European Union, because it is the central and idea and base of the Union. But is solidarity still relevant when speaking about the EU of today? As one of the member states (the UK), is currently preparing for their leave, there are also some other perspectives on solidarity. One optimistic signal young Europeans are at the forefront of engagement in voluntary actions, which is the most tangible manifestation of social solidarity.
Read the full article here.
Gaining Work Experience
A vocational college in Poland is a long-term beneficiary of students mobility programmes such as Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus+ and Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. Thanks to their programmes, 19 year old students are able to carry out work experience abroad. The project lasted from 01st October 2017 to 31st October 2018 and involved 36 participants in 6 professions: Information Technology, Digital Processing of Graphics, Photography, Clothing Production Technology, Advertising and Logistics. In 2017 and 2018 the school organized a work experience project in Italy and Great Britain implemented under “Transnational students and vocational staff mobility” within Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development financed by European Social Fund, based on the rules of Erasmus+ programme.
Read more about this project here.
Prepared by Dimyana Salib
