Erasmus Project, Design FILS, aims to develop a methodological framework that will integrate innovation and research relating to learning spaces, educational technologies and pedagogy. Building on this framework the Project will train 55 teacher trainers who will then carry out teacher training (some 1750 teachers) across Europe.
I have just been reading their Methodological Framework for Innovative Classroom Trainings which gives a useful and accessible summary of recent research on learning spaces, pedagogy and educational technology - and explores how to put together this research in an integrated practice.
The emphasis on physical spaces for learning has the result of making the discussion of Active Learning practical rather than visionary. There are some good examples of what active learning looks like and a recognition that there is a strong and demanding role for teachers in Active Learning since it is the teachers that have to ensure that there is a wide and appropriate variety of learning activities that are well judged to the needs and objectives of learners.
Similarly, the report emphases the importance of teacher judgement and review when it comes to the use of diverse educational technologies and differentiated learning spaces for various learning tasks and groupings.
It follows that teacher professional development has to equip teachers, individually and in teams, to develop and improve their capacity to make good decisions for particular learners in particular contexts. While this should be part of initial teacher education, the above argument suggests that it will also be part of continuing professional development - these judgements need to be practised in real teaching situations and teachers will want to build on their experiences to meet new opportunities and challenges..
I work closely with Turkey Ministry of Turkish National Education
General Directorate of Innovation and Educational Technologies
Development and Projects Department team at the design stage. Impressive work and team focusing on the policy option that this project, lead by Turkey with 7 EU Member States, https://designfils.eba.gov.tr/, has developed and implement with the support of the second follow up project, I can reconfirm that in many meetings I have been invited/attended, all the teachers and teacher training experts experts have strongly voiced that teacher professional development has to equip teachers, individually and in teams, to develop and improve their capacity to make good decisions for particular learners in particular contexts. Teacher Training Institutions and universities( beside policy makers) are part of this project. And they all emphasise in their discussions and platforms that initial teacher education cannot be seen as a separate stage from the part of continuing professional development. There are brilliant testimonies and documents and many visual materials where teachers share their real teaching situations and how they they build on their experiences to meet new opportunities and challenges. It is an amassing experience to be part of it and see the enthusiasm, brilliancy and hard work the teachers undertake. They emphasise the need for support because in most cases they are left alone. My personal experience is a huge professional learning.
In addition, you can access the presentations from the conference from the link https://bit.ly/design-fils-presentations including some photos https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XVfVNslk9ij4rQRcHHP6Epv2HdWh0zn_
Interesting !!
Interesting !!
Dear Julian, Dear Lida, thank you very much for sharing your insights on future innovative learning spaces. We’ve been working for a couple of years to design innovative learning spaces and integrating technology to those spaces. There are a variety of perspectives to share with the policymakers, teacher trainers and pre-service teachers as we designed this project from theory to the practice.
I am so pleased to read your reflection and look forward to future discussion together..
Dearest Sumeyye, we thank you personally and the management of the Ministry for involving us as ETF in your developments by inviting us in your discussions and sharing your developments. It is a special experience to work with you, your team and the management of the Turkey Ministry of National Education, Directorate General for Innovation and Education Technology. Your young, highly professional and enthusiastic team is impressive and inspiring to work with. Thank you
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