From Inside Out - Let's get outdoors together!
LTTA 1 - Training Teachers on Outdoor Learning
Overview: The first Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA 1) of the "From Inside Out - Let's Get Outdoors Together" project focused on training teachers to effectively integrate outdoor learning into their teaching practices. This session served as a foundational component of the project, promoting experiential learning beyond the traditional classroom boundaries.
Objective: The primary goal of LTTA 1 was to enhance teachers' abilities in designing and implementing outdoor learning activities that actively engage students and improve their learning outcomes, particularly in languages and sciences.
Training Details:
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The training will be held in Turkey, utilizing local expertise and outdoor spaces conducive to learning.
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This three-day event occurred from October 10, 2023, to October 12, 2023.
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Participating Organizations: Facilitated by iTeach International Training and Learning Institute, the event also involved teachers from Stredni skola designu a umeni, knizni kultury a ekonomiky Nahornii (Czech Republic) and Colegiul National "Vasile Alecsandri", Bacau (Romania).
Activities:
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Day 1: Introduction to Outdoor Education (OE), principles of experiential learning, team-building exercises, and discussions on the role of teachers in OE.
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Day 2: Workshop on designing experiential learning activities, use of apps and educational tools in outdoor settings, and strategies to make outdoor learning inclusive.
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Day 3: Planning and execution of outdoor activities for teaching math, science, and languages. Focus on safety, formative assessment techniques, and adapting outdoor activities to different educational contexts.
Participant Feedback: Teachers reported a significant enhancement in their confidence and skills related to outdoor education. They appreciated the hands-on approach which enabled them to visualize and plan actual learning activities outside conventional classrooms. Participants also valued the opportunity to collaborate with international colleagues, sharing insights and strategies that enriched their understanding and application of outdoor learning principles.
Expected Outcomes: Participants left the training with:
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A robust understanding of outdoor and experiential learning principles.
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Practical experience in designing and executing outdoor learning activities.
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Enhanced ability to use digital tools to augment outdoor learning.
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Improved skills in evaluating and adapting outdoor activities to maximize student engagement and learning outcomes.
Impact: This training empowered teachers to shift from traditional teaching methods to more dynamic, environment-based learning strategies. The skills acquired are being applied in developing the project's main intellectual output—Outdoor Language and Science Activities—and are expected to influence teaching practices across the participating institutions profoundly.
LTTA 2 - Outdoor Learning for Language Competence
Overview: The second Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA 2) of the project "From Inside Out - Let's Get Outdoors Together" was centered around utilizing outdoor environments to enhance language competence. This session built on the methodologies established in the first LTTA, applying them specifically to language learning.
Objective: The objective of LTTA 2 was to explore and implement outdoor learning activities that enhance communication skills and language competence among students, fostering a deeper engagement with language learning through natural and social interactions.
Training Details:
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The training was held in Romania, providing a vibrant, culturally rich backdrop for the activities.
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This activity spanned three days, from March 19 to March 21, 2024, combining practical application with reflective discussions.
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Participating Organizations: Facilitated by Colegiul National "Vasile Alecsandri", Bacau (Romania), with participation from iTeach International Training and Learning Institute (Turkey) and Stredni skola designu a umeni, knizni kultury a ekonomiky Nahornii (Czech Republic).
Activities:
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Day 1: Introduction to the integration of language learning in outdoor settings, ice-breaking activities, and a cultural quiz to set the context for language immersion.
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Day 2: Implementation of language-focused outdoor activities, such as scavenger hunts and role-playing games, which required students to use language skills actively in navigating and interacting.
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Day 3: Evaluation of language learning activities, feedback sessions, and discussions on adapting these methods to different linguistic and cultural contexts.
Participant Feedback: Feedback from participants highlighted the effectiveness of outdoor activities in breaking down barriers to language learning. Students and teachers noted increased motivation and enjoyment in learning languages through interactive and context-based methods. The natural settings provided a relaxed environment that encouraged spontaneous use of language and enhanced communication among students.
Expected Outcomes: By the end of the training, participants had:
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Developed practical strategies for integrating language learning into outdoor educational activities.
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Enhanced their ability to conduct language lessons outside traditional classroom settings.
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Gained insights into culturally responsive language teaching methods.
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Strengthened their skills in creating engaging, communicative environments that support language development.
Impact: LTTA 2 successfully demonstrated the potential of outdoor settings to facilitate more dynamic and effective language learning experiences. The methodologies developed and refined during this session are anticipated to influence ongoing and future language education practices across the participating schools, promoting a more holistic and immersive approach to language teaching.
LTTA 3 - Outdoor Learning to Improve Science Learning
Overview: The third Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA 3) of the "From Inside Out - Let's Get Outdoors Together" project focused on enhancing science learning through outdoor experiences. This session applied outdoor learning principles specifically to the teaching of scientific concepts, promoting hands-on, experiential learning strategies that engage students with the natural world.
Objective: The objective of LTTA 3 was to develop and implement outdoor science activities that enhance students' understanding of scientific principles through real-world applications, fostering a deeper appreciation and curiosity for the sciences.
Training Details:
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The training took place in the Czech Republic, utilizing both the school's proximity to natural geological formations and local parks as outdoor classrooms.
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This activity spanned three days, from April 23 to April 25, 2024, and included both planning and execution phases for outdoor science activities.
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Participating Organizations: Hosted by Stredni skola designu a umeni, knizni kultury a ekonomiky Nahornii, with participants from iTeach International Training and Learning Institute (Turkey) and Colegiul National "Vasile Alecsandri", Bacau (Romania).
Activities:
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Day 1: Introduction to outdoor science education, exploration of local natural resources as educational tools, and initial planning of science activities.
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Day 2: Execution of planned activities, such as ecological surveys and experimental science tasks that utilize the local environment. Students conducted guided experiments and observations to learn about ecology, physics, and chemistry in outdoor settings.
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Day 3: Review and assessment of the activities' educational impact, group discussions on improvements and adaptations for future use, and a final collaborative session on integrating these methods into regular science curricula.
Participant Feedback: Teachers and students provided positive feedback on the engaging and interactive nature of the science activities. Participants appreciated the opportunity to apply scientific theories in tangible, real-world settings, which helped to clarify complex concepts and stimulated student interest in science topics. The hands-on approach was particularly effective in enhancing student understanding and retention of scientific knowledge.
Expected Outcomes: Participants left the training with:
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Enhanced skills in designing and facilitating science learning activities outside the traditional classroom.
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Increased capacity to incorporate environmental and ecological elements into the science curriculum.
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New approaches to teaching science that emphasize inquiry, experimentation, and observation in natural settings.
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Impact: LTTA 3 successfully showcased the educational benefits of integrating outdoor learning into science education. The techniques and strategies developed during this session are expected to enrich science teaching practices and student learning experiences across the participating institutions, promoting a more engaging and effective approach to science education.