Our lesson was about the project plan. Project-based learning is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real-world problems and challenges and acquire a deeper knowledge. 

My school has been encouraging the use of project-based learning (PBL) for many years, especially in some Italian classes.

Pupils brainstorm all kinds of big issues, including school bullying, Rights of the children, environmental issues as well as local issues like school problems.

Next they have to brainstorm possible resources and questions they need to answer. Therein lies the beauty of PBL: Since teachers can’t anticipate their every need, they have to take responsibility for their own learning, and solve problems as they encounter them.

PBL is behind the Erasmus projects I write too. 

“Follow, follow the sun

and which way the wind blows

when this day is done.

Breath, breath in the air.

Set your intentions.

Dream with care.

Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,

a brand new moon, brand new sun.

So follow, follow the sun,

the direction of the bird,

the direction of love.

Breath, breath in the air,

cheerish this moment,

cheerish this breath.”

Today our lesson took place in a magnificent setting: Point de Chateaux.  Pointe des Châteaux is a cape located at the eastern end of the island Grande-Terre. It consists of a wide bank of coastline which is a refuge for a very rare fauna and flora.

The group analysed the key competences for lifelong learning on the basis of the European Framework of Reference.

Then we analysed the planning of a project aimed at the acquisition of these competences:

1)   Learning and reasoning skills,

2)   Information, communication and technology expertise,

3)   Transversal capabilities.

The evaluation is divided into two parts:

1)   Evaluation of the intervention: the teacher compares the learning objectives set with the results of the group work, identifies any objectives not achieved and tries to explain the causes of failure.

2)   Pupil evaluation: each individual presentation is evaluated (by the class and the teacher) on the basis of clarity, consistency and correctness.

 

-      My fellow headteachers should by all means support it. I know that this is not always easy because “normal” lessons will sometimes have to be cancelled. Parents, companies, teachers who are not involved and sometimes even students might complain and then the headteachers will have to justify it and will have to point out why these projects are important. Sometimes it’s just the easy option to give in.

-      The organisation has to be done by a team and not by an individual teacher.  We have to be aware of the fact that it means a lot of work, too much for a lonesome cowboy.

-      We must not be frustrated if it sometimes takes a hell of long time until a project is properly prepared and can be started but better late than never.

-      We should avoid to do too many projects at the same time. Sometimes less is more.

-      We should work like the little crab in the video: slowly but constantly.

During session 8 we discussed activities to develop key competences: 1. Communication in the mother tongue; 2. Communication in foreign languages; 3. Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology; 4. Digital competence; 5. Learning to learn; 6. Social and civic competences; 7. Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; 8. Cultural awareness and expression. 

All the issues raised by the participants were very valuable. 

After the lunch break, we were talking about working on projects in school, the characteristics of projects and project-based learning.

We found out that we have and implement many similar ideas.
The perspective of the other colleagues was very interesting and broadened my horizon and my ideas.

International projects have to be implemented step by step, we don't always have our seven-league boots on, sometimes it's just a small step forward. This should not discourage us. Even if the political situation in the countries changes, even if the governments are more or less in favour of Europe - it is worth fighting.

It is important to find out which idea attracts you the most. Only for an idea you are passionate about can you inspire colleagues and students and save this idea even over periods of lean periods. 

Another great experience was the joint preparation of a Creole BBC, everyone worked together on the same project - and the result was a wonderful meal.

It was another fantastic day here ...