Teachers from the Faculty of Education, Catholic University in Ružomberok (FE CU) and Primary school Bystrická cesta are educated in student oriented approach
During holidays at school
„Today, young people are preparing for tomorrow life in schools from yesterday,” begins the first training activity prof. Gabriela Lojová. In the classrooms, even during the summer holidays, are teachers who perceive that education must reflect the needs of students – not only superficially and on paper, but with respect for the personality and specifics of young people. English and a mixture of foreign languages can be heard from the classrooms, in addition to Slovakia, participants are also from Slovenia, Northern Macedonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The trainings were one of the activities of Erasmus+ 2020 – SK01 – KA203 – 078306 of the FE CU Upgrade with Learner-centered Approach (ULCA) project. The first module is focused on what is happening in the classroom, teachers train active learning of students, modification of learning content, knowledge and emotional domains, they learn to understand the classroom climate, form relationships in the classroom and build relationships with students. Teachers believe that after completing their education, they will place more emphasis on the concrete benefits of education for students compared to the emphasis on taking over all the details from the outdated curriculum. The second module strengthens leadership and management in the concept of Learn and Lead.
“A teacher can inspire others and help them understand the mosaic of what makes up today’s world. The experience of learning and discovering the world remains with us for a lifetime. If the teacher believes in us, supports us and helps us understand the context, ourselves and others, then he will bring wealth to our lives for the rest of our lives, ”says lector Jana Chynoradská.
At the end of more than two years of cooperation between nine partner organizations from five countries, newly accredited study subjects and an LCA quality model for primary school principals and teachers will be taught at faculties of education.
They will become ambassadors of the Learner-centered approach
Teachers who complete both training modules in the summer will become supporters of this approach in their schools and countries. “The Faculty of Education will gradually become an educational school in the LCA concept in order to supplement the requirements of employers in the educational process,” says the faculty’s vice-dean Markéta Rusnáková, project coordinator. The training is attended by five FE CU teachers from the Departments of Social Work, Catechesis and Mathematics, all of which agree that the LCA approach is suitable for adaptation in a university environment.
The training was also attended by six teachers from the Primary school Bystrická cesta in Ružomberok, which is known for classes with exceptionally gifted students, but not only them. They plan to incorporate practical knowledge into teaching from the new school year. “Training moves me forward, opens up new opportunities for international cooperation and motivates me for personal development. I believe that our school will successfully represent Learner-centered approach and will be a school with a Learn and Lead positive attitude, “adds Lenka Krasuľová, a teacher at Primary school Bystrická cesta.
“Today’s world supports cooperation and innovation that take the quality of life to the next level. The field of education is undergoing an internal transformation of many initiatives. I am convinced that only those who are built on solid foundations of humanity, expertise and courage will survive”adds Jana Chynoradská.
In addition to the educational blocks, the host Faculty of Education, CU has prepared a rich social program, during which participants can explore the beauties of Liptov.
From participants’ feedback
„I am very happy that I took part in this project and that I met amazing people. There is definitely a need to change a lot in education in order to increase the quality of education and make the teaching process more attractive.“
Daniela Babicová, teacher of Math-Chemistry
„For me, these two weeks were not only an inspiration, but also an encouragement in my teaching mission. I gained support on how to do things more efficiently, knowing that what is happening in my students’ minds is very important. I am aware that the more I learn something new, the more I push the boundaries of my development. The ideas of “Learn and Lead” and the “Learner-centered Approach” opened the door for me on the path of my further self-development.“
Katarína Podobová, primary school teacher, first grade
„The courses were a great opportunity to meet inspiring personalities from the ranks of lecturers and teachers. I realized that many principles of LCA are already part of education in some Slovak schools. I would like to see as many of them as possible thanks to such professionally lectured courses.“
Zuzana Fileková, primary school teacher, first grade
Thanks to the certified Learner-centered Approach and Learn and Lead Self-management trainings, through which Primary school Bystrická cesta established cooperation with schools from several countries, I had the opportunity to meet many inspiring people and gained a number of new stimuli to apply in my school practice. In Learner-centred approach, I see a great benefit not only for the school, but also for my own self-development.
Hedviga Demková, teacher of Slovak and English language
This course was extremely rewarding for me. It taught me a lot about myself, but also about how to look at the student from a different perspective. The student can also be the one who can contribute a lot to the lesson. It was a great experience and I would recommend it to any teacher, regardless of the length of teaching practice.
Martina Panisová, primary school teacher, first grade
The new standards for the accreditation of study programs in Slovakia include group: Student-Oriented Learning, Teaching and Assessment. The LCA training offered me a framework for setting up a study program in accordance with these standards and at the same time created an opportunity to experience a number of LCA activities and techniques.
Daniel Markovič, FE CU Ružomberok
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