An international scientific-practical conference ULCA – LEARNER-CENTERED APPROACH – NEW ATTITUDE IN THE SCHOOL OF MODERN SOCIETY was held at Mykolas Romeris University on April 6-7 this year. This conference is the part of the activities an Erasmus Plus international project “ULCA – Upgrade with Learner-Centered Approach”, no. 2020-1-SK01-KA203-078306.
This conference was also dedicated for the anniversary of prof. dr. Margarita Tereseviciene. The professor is one of the developers of the science of education after the restoration of independence of Lithuania, when the teaching processes in Lithuanian schools were re-examined. This topic is closely related to the ongoing project.
After welcome speeches: (welcomed the conference Rector of Mykolas Romeris University prof. dr. Inga Žalėnienė; Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport Ramūnas Skaudžius and EESF Head of the Department of Higher Education Programs Kristina Raukštienė), prof. dr. Marketa Rusnakova (FE CU, Slovakia) presented the paper Implementation of ULCA project outputs into the Higher Education system. The scientist introduced the participants of the conference to the ongoing project and project partners. Presented the purpose of the project – to increase the quality of University education through the implementation of the learner-centred approach, developing excellent schools based on the EFQM model of excellence, developing the Learn&Lead functional self-management and development pathway of a teacher within the school environment. Mokslininke pazymejo, kad We expect that the proposed desired outcomes will fit to the strategic plans of all the partners and their countries. All the desired outcomes have been derived from the actual needs of the primary schools and Universities and by this project we build a bridge that connects teacher-training faculties with primary schools where these graduates work. Project results are important at all three levels: Local level – The University teachers will be trained in the LCA and will apply this approach in their lessons where they teach future teachers in their subjects and also other students of the University (social workers, managers etc.). Also both the Universities will launch new study subjects focused on the LCA approach and self-management Learn&Lead and new lifelong learning teacher-training programmes will be created, so that we finalize the educational circle of LCA training; National level – Universities will apply for accreditation of all the study subjects and programmes developed in this project at their national Ministries of Education. There will be a LCA model school in each country and also an LCA teacher-trainer for the country. These LCA primary schools will be also practice schools for University student-teachers who will attend their internships via the Erasmus+ funding scheme in all partner countries. As there will be the LCA guidelines for primary schools adopted by all the LCA primary schools, there will be a synergic element present at coordinating the work among the partners. These guidelines will also work as a recruitment tool that will help the LCA network to develop and grow on the international level. European international level – All the Intelectual outputs of the project are available in a user-friendly format at our project website during and after the project. There will be an application form present through which other schools, Universities and training organisations will be able to apply for membership. The more teachers and trainers will be trained in LCA and will be experiencing the application of this approach in their everyday University and school life, the more competent and convincing their teaching will become.
Assoc. prof. Daniel Markovic discusses the peculiarities of teacher training with a learner-centered approach at the conference. It is important to note that the conference was attended by researcher assoc prof. Alina Proskurnia, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine). The young scientist had to leave the country due to Russian aggression. Mykolas Romeris University provided conditions for living and continuing scientific work in Lithuania. Alina Proskurnia in her presentation „Perfectionism as a cause of anxiety in adolescents in the learning process?” analyzed phenomenon as perfectionism and its role in the occurrence of anxiety and depressive disorders in young people. The reseach results confirmed the assumptions about the influence of the education system, the requirements of the educational process and the psychological climate in cooperation with teachers on the formation of narcissistic perfectionism and negative emotional experiences associated with school life. Timely detection and elimination of perfectionist attitudes will help to avoid intrapersonal neurotic conflicts, disharmony of the value-motivational sphere and affective disorders in children.
Another conference speaker Arūnas Bėkšta (Lithuanian Association of Adult Education) shared attitude to Adult Learner: The Hero’s Journey. Using the travel method, it was discussed what challenges the learner faces, what strengthens and motivates him or her to continue the journey, the journey in the broadest sense, and the journey within himself to realize his desires and possibilities. In the afternoon, conference participants split into groups to discuss about Excellence approach for schools in practice; Creativity in a student-centered education and Development of adult learning competence.
The second day of the conference was dedicated to sharing experiences in training future teachers (Assoc. prof. Branislav Kľuska, (FE CU, Slovakia) presentation Learner-Centred Approach in the Teachers Training and prof. Odeta Merfeldaite, prof. Irena Žemaitaitytė, assoc. prof. Asta Railiene, Agata Katkoniene (MRU, Lithuania) presentation Teacher training – ULCA approach to the development of professional competencies) and the experience of the teachers themselves involved in the project from the project activities and the summer school (Mateja Todorovski, (Dobje primary school, Slovenia) presentation LCA teacher competence development in Slovenia and Justina Davolytė, Jūratė Mikulskienė (Prano Mašioto primary school, Lithuania) presentation Why and how is the Lerner-centered Approach beneficial primary school).
Insights into learner-centered teaching have been expanded Adele Vitkovska (Eurofortis, Latvia) presentation KNOWLO – learning and sharing at schools and Flavius Streianu, (MRU, VIKO Lithuania) presentation A sustainable approach to personal leadership based on functional academic clusters. In the second half of the day, the conference participants took an active part in discussions on improving school management, led by Vanda Novokšonova (Eurofortis, Latvia).
It should be noted that the conference was attended by 86 participants, of which 41 were from abroad (India, Turkey, Spain, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Ukraine, Nigeria).
We have no doubt that the conference not only encouraged researchers, students and practitioners from different countries to share their experiences and improve their competencies, but also to see the importance of a learner-centered approach and the role of international cooperation in developing national education systems.
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