PREPARING PUPILS FOR A CHANGING PLANETLearner Empowerment and Cultural Competence through Innovative Best Practice

Anestis Papadopoulos, Platon School, Katerini, GreeceAlan Bruce, Universal Learning Systems, Dublin, Ireland

7th EDEN Open Classroom Conference: Porto 15-17 October 2009

Thematic issues

Technology and innovation supporting learning Re-evaluation of traditional methods and

structures Change and transformation needs Impact of globalization Stakeholder and community linkage Access and social inclusion Transnational linkage

Supporting the innovative learning community

Community development Social solidarity Environmental management and conservation Arts and culture Sports and leisure Health and well-being Social inclusion and demographic change Advanced technologies

Platon School

Organization type: Private school founded 1997

Location: Katerini, Greece Number of students: 350 (academic year

2009-2010) Four-levels:

Kindergarten (ages: 4-6) Primary (ages: 7-12) Gymnasium (ages: 13-15) Lyceum (ages: 16-18)

Technology and EU Projects

Lingua-e (1999) Comenius SPEAK (2008-10) Minerva EDUCONLINUX (2007-09)

free open source softwareasynchronous e-learning courses

ETwinning

Educational System in Greece

Conservative Strict Inflexible Examination-driven Resistant to

application of new technologies

Pupil Competence Community Technological support International

cooperation Learning process

(application modes) Individual value

(Humanistic approach)

Current structure of public schools could be described as:

Innovative learning strategy applied by Platon School focuses on:

“Spirit” dimension components form the basis of the school’s didactical aims structure.To complete the educational process, remaining components were used in the creation of thematic units, counseling sessions and outdoor activities.

Humanistic approach (Four dimensions)

Human

BodySpirit

Soul

Learn my body

Body hygiene

AthleticsNutrition

Sexual edification

Creativity andpersonality

Appraisal

Creativethinking

Critical thinking

Memory

Understanding

Ethical Values

Biographies of Important persons

What you should do if…

Creativity andemotions

Environment

Socialissues

Cooperationwith teachers Cooperation

with classmatesCooperation with parents

Orientation on professions

Knowledge of the Environment

Environmental problems and

solutions

Development of didactic units

Humanistic approach (four dimensions)

Consultation

A significant aspect of Platon School initiative is the parallel involvement of parents, families, communities and teaching staff in a coordinated way.

Application (modes)

Didactical aims per month

Month Didactical Aim DetailsOctober Comprehension Attention

Recognition of informationUnderstanding of information

November Memory Storage of informationConservationRecall

December Critical thinking (Convergent)

Ability to analyzeComparisonClassification of informationInterconnection of information

February Creative thinking (Divergent) Search and create alternative solutionsSynthesis of informationTransformation of information (change of use)Redefinition of information (elaboration to be more functional, attractive)

March Appraisal Problem solving , decision taking

April Creativity and personality Desire for new experiences Curiosity Independent judgmentPreference on challenges and complex casesSelf esteem Self-defined regulation of behavior through inner or inward motives

Individual or team work assessments

Thematic units per grade

7th grade 8th grade

1st semester 2nd semester

1st semester 2nd semester

Arts Household life

Ethical values History (alternative)

Healthy nutrition

Road safety and

behavior

Biographies of important

people

Athletics

First aid Safe internet Knowledge of environment

Music

Learn my body

Evaluation of TV

programs

Functionality and aesthetics

of places, persons

Volunteering

All year

Creativity and emotions Creativity and emotions

Sexual edification

Individual or team work assessments

Thematic units per grade

9th grade 10th grade

1st semester 2nd semester 1st semester 2nd semester

History (alternative)

Emergence and solution of

a regional important

issue

Science and daily life

History (alter)

Biographies of important

people

Cinema Global environmental

issue

Abuse

Regional environmental

issue

Europe Design of educational computer

game

All year

Creativity and emotions Creativity and emotions

Career planning Career planning

Entrepreneurship

These clubs occupy a minimum of two hours per week.

System of clubs

Counseling

Each mentor/ teacher is responsible for eight pupils, with the following duties :

Beginning of school year: Overall pupil and parent briefing

according to teaching and behavior objectives

During the school year: 15-minutes Friday meetings for pupil

progress evaluation Principal and parents briefing about

pupils progress End of school year:

Annual evaluation and next year suggestions

Annual Schedule of Outdoor Activities

Date Title Objective Activity Game Food Location

September25th

«Man in the sea…»

Dealing with dangerous

situations in water.

Sand sculpture

competition

Beach football -

beach volley

BΒQ Paralia, Katerini(beach)

November8th

The «secrets» of fire…

Correct use of fire and precautions

Competition: «Ancient

methods of starting a

fire».

Funny relay race

Picnic Platanodasos (forest)

February7th

«Snow experience»

Snow survival.Snow racket preparation.

Skiing and sledge riding

Hot chocolate at the ski

resort chalet

Elatochori (ski resort)

Annual Schedule of Outdoors Activities

Date Title Objective Activity Game Food Location

April18th

«Spring is here…»

Orientation and map reading.

Slide show on Olympus

Mountain and walk in natural

pathways.

Lost treasure

hunt

Lunch at the

mountain refuge

“Crevatia” Olympus Mt refuge

May9th

«Sailing experience

»

Introduction to sailing secrets.

Sailing.

Sea questions

– free time

Sea food snacks

Platamonas, Katerini(Aegean

sea)

Stages

Evaluation Process

Future challenges

Creation of educational computer game to cover pupils’ need for play (and parents’ demand for safe play and education) to achieve learning in an enjoyable way.

Development of an interactive electronic platform for teaching, learning and communicating.

Elaboration of key factors, pedagogical methods and tools for the school of the future.

Embedded innovative learning

Increased application on new knowledge Open and distance learning technologies

facilitating learners and staff competence Transformation of traditional teaching role to

mentoring, guiding and facilitation Development of network of innovative best

practice at European level

Conclusions

Platon School is developing a strategic vision which optimizes the use of advanced technologies within the context of a person centred, value enhanced learning paradigm.

This paradigm locates the individual’s learning progress in relation to self-autonomy, reflective learning and reference to family and community.

Platon School regards this innovative approach as a contribution to the creation of adaptable and productive schools required in Greece and Europe to address future needs.

Thank you

Anestis PapadopoulosAlan Bruce

October 2009