Creating the democratic adult education class

CREATING THE DEMOCRATIC ADULT EDUCATION CLASS

Who is this course for?

This course is aimed at teachers and staff from vocational and adult education, staff of non-government organizations, government and policy makers and company staff as well as students and all those who are interested in a critical approach to adult education. Teachers and school staff from pre-school level to primary, secondary and higher education are also welcome. The course will focus on the reasons why and on the ways how the adult educators can make their groups of adult learners essentially democratic and boost critical thinking, which is a condition of democracy. Participants are expected to have at least B1 level of English proficiency.

Methodology

Methodology is based on theoretical lessons and presentations of examples of good practice as well as discussions and experience comparisons. Participants will learn about interesting approaches to adult education through workshops, simulations and action learning. Inspired significantly by Stephen Brookfield’s work the course will offer participants a complete array of methods and techniques to create a democratic climate in their classes in order to boost critical thinking. Some other tools used will consist of project work, role play, laboratory practice, use of new technologies, reflection and evaluation.

Outcomes

Improve the participants’ pedagogical competences regarding adult education (and not only).
Understand the student-centered, emancipatory approach of adult education initiated by Freire.
Recognize the importance of the democratic atmosphere in classroom.
Acquire competences to implement the principles of democratic teaching and learning.
Develop critically reflective teachers as a prerequisite to develop critically thinking citizens.
Provide a wide set of practices that help adults’ classes become authentically democratic and emancipatory
Improve English fluency (official language of the course).
Promote intercultural awareness.
Share experiences of student centered and emancipatory methods in adult education from different organizations in order to help each of us to be more effective in our work.
Strengthen the European collaboration among people involved in adult education in different contexts.
Provide insights into different education systems.

Preparation

After registration participants will receive pre-course questionnaire which will be used by the trainer to learn about participants’ teaching backgrounds and to assess their exact needs. Before the beginning of the course a basic reading list will be suggested to participants to prepare for the training. Participants will also be asked to prepare a presentation about themselves, their professional context and their culture. The presentation will be presented on the first day of the course to facilitate networking opportunities. Participants will receive information about the country they are going to visit in order to prepare them for their cultural experience.

Follow up

After the course participants will be asked to share what they have learned with the rest of the staff in their schools. Further books and articles to deepen the topic and contacts with some other practitioners all over Europe and in the world will be suggested by the trainer. The methods shared and explored and the bibliography given will allow the participants to complete and improve their educational path.

5 days programme (25 hours)

course sessions (Monday to Friday)

Introduction of participants, outline of the programme, warm ups and ice breakers
Overview of approaches to adult education
Brookfield’s foundational work for adult teaching: his conception of critical thinking
Practices to inform democratic and critically reflective citizens
Individual support
Presentation of outcomes, discussion, evaluation and closing session

cultural and social programme

Teambuilding and networking activities
City tour or a cultural trip

10 days programme (50 hours)

course sessions (Monday to Friday + Monday to Friday)

Introduction of participants, outline of the programme, warm ups and ice breakers
Overview of approaches to adult education- major theorists
Focus on critical theory
Brookfield’s foundational work for adult teaching: his conception of critical thinking
Important notions and concepts in Brookfield’s work
Practices for a democratic to create democratic and critically reflective citizens
Ideas about sharing the experience of the programme
Design critical-democratic activities for your classes
Online tools for collaboration on projects, eTwinning, School Education Gateway
Individual support
Presentation of outcomes, discussion, evaluation and closing session

cultural and social programme

Teambuilding and networking activities
City tour or a cultural trip

CERTIFICATE

Each participant will get a course attendance certificate and we will validate the acquired competences on the Europass Mobility upon request. Please note that we have a paperless policy and all the documents will be delivered in digital form.

COURSE FEE

The course fee is 80 € per day. It includes tuition and materials, cultural and social programme, support in preparation and all the administrative work. There are no additional costs or hidden fees. After registration, you will receive a pro-forma invoice which you will have to pay by bank transaction. You will receive the invoice after you attend the course.

SUBSISTENCE

The course fee doesn't include accommodation and meals and participants are responsible to organize them on their own. In some locations we might be able to recommend or organize subsistence for you. Please don't hesitate to contact us to inquire about any specific location.

REGISTRATION

You can submit a non-biding registration and we will reserve a place for you until you are ready to confirm your participation. cancellations are free until you pay the course fee.