Sector: School
Unibo structure involved: Department for Life Quality Studies
Unibo Team: Alessandro Cairo; Aurora Domeniconi; Paola Carlini
Website: http://www.gooutandlearnllc.com/
Project Duration in months: 36
Start Date: 01/09/2017
End Date: 31/08/2020
Budget: euro 245.694,00
Unibo Budget: euro 51.474,00
Coordinator: Eiker Kommune (SE)
Partners:
- ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO SALVO D'ACQUISTO (IT)
- Beechwood Primary School (UK)
- Vrije Basisschool De Bergop (BE)
- Université Catolique de Louvain (BE)
- Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (IT);
- HOGSKOLEN I SOROST NORGE (NO);
- UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH (UK)
Description:
This project is a cooperation between four universities and four primaries schools in four countries, all with expertise in outdoor learning. Common for all is an engagement for and use of outdoor practices. The Goal project is aimed at improving pupils’ skill in basic competences; maths, science and use of outdoor learning. By sharing practices through cooperation between schools and universities common guidelines for good practices in outdoor learning will be developed.
Around 20% of young people do not have the desired level in basic skills. These people are at risk for socially and economically marginalization. Research show that outdoor learning can increase the motivation and ability to learn. Outdoor learning is inclusive and meets requirements for differentiation in learning strategies. It promotes transversal skills such as collaborative learning and cross-curricular problem-solving.
This project provides impact on: individual level, institutional level and on national and international level.
On the individual level, the projects aims for positive effect on learning and inclusion. Outdoor implicates first hand experiences in local environments and situated learning. Methods and learning strategies emphasized in pedagogical theories in livelong learning. As these methods promotes stronger performance in basic skills, the pupils would be expected to do better later in live. Collaborative learning strategies, creativity and explorative learning will used.
On the institutional level, the project aim the schools to develop their own outdoor learning project based on their national curricula. The local project will also strengthen the connection between the schools and the local communities. By cooperating across institutions-universities and schools-the connection within the educational system will be strengthened.
On the national level utilizing resources in local areas these practices connects to subjects in national curricula. They promotes development of basic competences such as communication, digital skills and door practices includes horizontal skills such as learning to learn, social and civic responsibility, initiative, cultural awareness and creativity. In this way, outdoor learning has a potential to strengthen “key competences”- knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
On the international level the projects connects to and is a contribution to the development of international education policy strategies. Development of curriculum based outdoor learning practices corresponds with two of four pillars of learning, defined under the UNESCO projects, global networks for learning: Learning to know and learning to do. These aspect includes learning of key competences such as literacy communication, maths, science, learning for sustainability and use of digital tools.
The school will develop and demonstrate good practices in outdoor learning. Each HEI will supervise and report on school projects.
An evaluation kit for good practice and learning outcomes will be developed for assessment for sharing ideas and methodology
During the project period several meeting will be held. All meetings have a clear agenda and during all meetings the progress, budget control and deadlines will be discussed. This is to insure quality in project management.
There will be two multiplier Events. One event mid-term and final conference. In these events the project participants will disseminate results from the GOal project to local, national and European policy agencies.
The project will deliver an online learning platform that can be used by schools, both during the project and after. The learning platform will be developed by the project in cooperation with the partner schools.
Guidelines for curriculum based outdoor learning will be published as booklets and on the online learning platform.
An assessment kit for learning processes and learning outcomes will be published
An end-of project report with description and recommendations for best practices in the different countries will be also published.
The project result will be disseminated within the school and institutions themselves and in national and international networks and conferences. The report and written materials will be available I open formats. The institutions will provide information on their website and the learning platform developed will be available online.
The project will try to involve the national ministries of Education to make suggestions for activities, methodology, curriculum and best practices to be incorporated into national curricula and studies for teacher education.
