Training program Learn, Think and Act! for teaching and professional staff of secondary schools was created to support professors in the development of competencies needed for successful planning and implementation of the learning process based on experiential learning. The goal is to use effective teaching methods and strategies, creating a safe and stimulating environment for students, who will feel supported and motivated for lifelong learning. In addition, experiential learning fosters creativity, teamwork and critical thinking, all key skills for success in today’s society.
The training program is intended for secondary school teachers, as well as school administration, professional associates and counselors in pedagogical institutes, who can support the professional development of teachers. The third, and also the last, module carries out experiential learning in the community, helping students to think, plan, realize and evaluate various actions and activities that contribute to life in the community, putting their knowledge to the function of the common good.
One of the participants, Šeherzada Kadrić , professor of the agricultural group of subjects at the Brčko Agricultural and Medical School, said : “Experience is the best teacher for everyone, both for us teachers and for our students. Within this education, I learned that through theoretical as well as practical teaching, experiential and service learning can be an ideal technique for students to master the material they study within their profession and selected schools as easily as possible. The training I received through these three modules enriched my educational and personal life. I met wonderful and dedicated educators, full of enthusiasm and desire to preserve education and their profession.”
The participants of the training had the opportunity to talk with Jasmin Bešić , general director of the Institute for Youth Development KULT, during the Coffee with… session , where the teachers got an insight into the work of the non-governmental sector and opportunities for cooperation. In addition, numerous other topics were discussed and the entire session was extremely interesting for all participants.
Ervina Hasanović , professor of chemistry from Cazin, gave her review of the module and training: “This approach helps students to see the results of their work and encourages critical thinking about their contribution to the community. We often face the question “When will I need this?” and the answer is simple: knowledge in the service of others brings change. Visible results bring satisfaction and encourage growth. Knowing that we are not alone in our struggles, that we are on the right path, that together we can do much better, creates a sense of pride in belonging to the community of educators. I plan to share everything I take with me from the training with my team and hope to start some new practices at work, which will enable us to improve the quality of education.”
Learn, Think and Act! training for teaching and professional staff of secondary schools is carried out by the Institute in cooperation with the Center for Educational Initiatives Step by Step , with which the methodology of this training was jointly developed and whose trainers worked directly with the participants.
Ljubica Parežanin , professor of French at the Golub Kureš Junior High School in Bileća, shared her experiences: ” The subject of experiential learning showed that new knowledge is best acquired through active participation. The educators guided us through learning methods with the aim of finding new techniques. The training was demanding, but it encourages the teachers’ interest in changes. The expertise of the educators, the working conditions and the complete organization were at the highest level. I recommend all teachers to apply for this training in the future because the benefits are multiple. In addition to the fact that all of us participants are bound by the desire to advance and invest in personal and professional growth and development, mutual understanding, support and companionship also connected us. A lot of work, but also laughter and fun characterized the entire training. I expect that we will realize many ideas that arose during the training.”
With this module, the Institute for Youth Development KULT does not end with meetings and support in the implementation of innovative ideas that will emerge from this program. The goal was to encourage creativity and collaborative work in order to develop solutions that will improve education and contribute to social development.
Source: mladi.org
