training program.
experiencing the learner-centered approach in cross-border collaboration.
client
location
duration
process
Vestifex OÜ & Narva Vanalinna Riigikool School
Helsinki and Turku area, Finland
1 week
Phenomenal Teams
an intensive phenomenal teams process.
A group of 14 Estonian teachers and the principal from Narva Vanalinna Riigikool came to Finland to experience the learner-centered approach in Finnish schools. The trip was part of their Eramus+ project coordinated by our ecosystem partner Vestifex OÜ.
We designed a one week version of our Phenomenal Teams program. It was a coached team learning process: the participants were encouraged to take the responsibility, be active learners and make their own reflections.
from key questions to presenting new solutions.
The participants teamed up as they thought best, eg. lower grades teachers worked together. They were then challenged to find their own learning goals and key questions. These worked as a framework also when visiting different schools. We used dialogue and other tools to help opening up the thinking and to reflect. In the end all teams shared their suggestions for future actions in their own school, to develop the learner-centered approach and culture.
inspiration from changing the environment.
Although Finland and Estonia are close by, the participants made many observations of the differencies in schools, cultures and societes between these two countries. They learned to appreciate the calm atmosphere and high level of trust in the Finnish learning culture.
The group visited 5 different schools in Southern Finland: Turku, Parainen, Espoo, Vantaa and Porvoo. Besides this the program included study trips to the National Museum of Finland, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova and to the new Helsinki central library Oodi. Espoo Hotel Korpilampi offered possibilties to balance the intensive days by skiing or by relaxing in the spa area.
92% of the participants are highly recommending the program.
“The program was useful and interesting, well planned and organised.
Thank you very much!”
Teacher from Narva Vanalinna Riigikool School
impact and main take-aways.
Already on the second day of the program the teachers said that they were very thankful for the opportunity to have time to discuss important issues with colleagues. This isn’t possible during the busy workdays.
Through this program the participants noticed and then stated in their reflections, that school life could be more calm; every student develops in their own pace; student has the responsibility over learning, and teacher is guiding the process; benefits of using formative assessment and helping students with self-assessment; how the physical learning space in Finnish schools support learning in multiple ways.
sharing and implementing new practices.
We had the possibility to visit the client school one month after the program. We could see and hear that the teachers had started to engage students to use technology in new ways in their study projects. They had also started to re-arrange the seating and general setting in their classrooms.
Also, the different tools and main learning results from this program were presented to other teachers and staff members in their school, when the teachers showcased their project couple of months after the program.
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