EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM– Learning from sites, museums, monuments & nature (6-day)

There is strong evidence that good quality of learning outside the classroom adds much value to classroom learning. It can lead to a deeper understanding of the concepts that span traditional subject boundaries and which are frequently difficult to teach effectively using classroom methods alone. Through first hand learning experiences, pupils experience the world and construct their own learning. This is an essential part of their personal development. Subjects become more vivid, interesting, and interdisciplinary. Learning outside the classroom is the vehicle to develop the capacity to learn. It provides framework for learning that uses surroundings and communities outside the classroom. A range of activities can be conducted including day and residential visits, field studies and investigations in the local area or further to sites, museums, monuments & nature.

This 6-day course gives participants theoretical background about Education outside the classroom, 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 amount of 730 euro includes course fees, course material, museum tickets, tours and accommodation B&B (without accommodation the fees are 480 euro).

Objectives:
During the course, participants will:
- be informed about the role, objectives and benefits of Education outside the classroom
- get in touch with educational programmes in museums, archeological sites and environmental centers that are implemented in Cyprus
- examine examples of good practice from participants’ schools
- study the legal framework and characteristics of Education outside the classroom
- discuss the integration of activities/ programmes outside the classroom across the areas of curriculum in conjunction with the school policy and pupils’ age and abilities
- get informed about implementing school visits and organizing short or long activities to various sites, museums, monuments and out in nature -do activities in museums, archaeological parks and in nature
-visit sites, museums, monuments etc. and plan activities/ programmes

Preparation
After confirming registration, participants will be informed about the details of the course (arrival, daily programme etc.). Participants will be able to introduce themselves and bring a few examples of activities/ programmes outside the classroom implemented by their school/ community.

DAY 1
WELCOME • Participants introduce themselves, practices and policies that are applied at participants’ schools and countries, course programme overview (day by day).
THEORY • Education outside the classroom (definitions, objectives, role, benefits) • Legal framework and characteristics of Education outside the classroom • Techniques to focus students' attention.
VISIT to Kourion archaeological site- Discuss activities in archaeological sites.

DAY 2
THEORY • Planning Education outside the classroom activities (choosing themes & activities, managing paperwork etc,) • Educational programmes in museums, archeological sites and environmental centers that are implemented in Cyprus, examples of activities/ programmes • The integration of activities/ programmes outside the classroom across the areas of curriculum • Implementing school visits and organizing activities in museums. • Activities in nature

DAY 3
TOUR IN NICOSIA • Visit to Leventis Museum, an interactive museum with the history of Nicosia town, ideas from museum’s educational programmes; Shakolas Tower Museum & Observatory to observe the city from 40m high; walk in traditional city center ‘Laiki Gitonia’ • Data collection for the group work.

DAY 4
THEORY • Implementing school visits and organizing short or long activities in city centers, historic buildings and in nature (preparation, teaching plan, examples of activities).
GROUP WORK

DAY 5
TOUR IN LIMASSOL • Visit to Limassol Archaeological Museum, Municipal Garden, Municipal Gallery, Medieval Castle & Museum, Old Carob Mill. Discuss the use of cultural places • Data collection for group work. GROUP WORK

DAY 6
CLOSURE OF THE COURSE • Presentation of group works, review of the project, conclusions, certificates.

Registrations: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzIdKlNFBrCfW8h3JWiOBaveUy2edIsVNeCvgSy4ICwB70sw/viewform?c=0&w=1