Active Learning Blog

Active learning blog

The Active Learning Blog created by the Novigado project focuses on active learning, innovative learning spaces and integration of ICT in present and future classrooms and schools. In this blog we will read stories written by the project partners, Future Classroom Ambassadors, FCL network labs, teacher trainers, invited experts, etc. If you would like to submit a story to be published, please send it to fcl@eun.org.

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Blogs

The explorers of active learning

 

Novigado Blog has been launched


When put into practice successfully, innovative teaching methods and flexible learning spaces, enhanced by the use of relevant technology, can significantly contribute to achieving active learning among students. This is where the Novigado project steps in, aiming to support teachers as they shift towards student-centred teaching methods in innovative environments.
 

Novigado (Esperanto word for Innovation) is a Key Action 2 EU-funded project that sets out to stimulate the development of key competences and transversal skills among students. The project focuses on active learning and innovative teaching methods taking place in innovative learning spaces.
 

Active learning is a form of learning, which encourages students to be involved in the learning process. The engagement of students who learn actively goes beyond merely being physically or mentally active in the classroom, as such students no longer follow the learning scenario outlined by their teachers in a passive way, but become engaged actors with ownership of the learning process. Actively learning students get a say in the roll out of the learning scenario. They are compelled to self-reflect and regularly assess their concept-handling skills as well as their own degree of understanding. As a result, students are doing things and actively thinking about the things they are doing. They attain knowledge, skills, and attitudes by participating or contributing. They read, write, discuss, gather, and process information, actively solve problems, and engage in higher-order thinking tasks such as analysis, synthesis, or evaluation.
 

Active learning calls for appropriate learning environments and can be facilitated by tools and technology. Connections between the material world and learning experiences have historically been neglected by educators, however, research shows a correlation between the physical dimensions of learning experiences and student engagement. Space design as well as digital and physical tools can support active learning strategies, by allowing students to not only build knowledge and conceptual understanding through experience, experimentation, and play, but also to collaborate, exchange, and share knowledge. Thanks to such tools, students can learn by making and creating.
 

New learning spaces are flexible and agile environments, which, along with learning zones, make pedagogical concepts for active learning possible. Learning zones are physical sub-areas providing the best conditions for one or more specific methodologies for active learning.
 

The Novigado project is coordinated by Think! Foundation (PL) and brings together five European partners: Agrupamento de Escolas Fernando Casimiro Pereira da Silva (PT), Ministry of Education Turkey, Reseau Canopé (FR), Lycee Pilote Innovant International (FR) and European Schoolnet (BE). The expected output of this 3-year project is the elaboration of a capacity-building programme for teachers, guidelines for schools on learning space innovation, an online scenario tool as well as a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on active learning.
 

The launch of the project took place last January and included a study visit at the Central Technology House in Warsaw. This brand-new venue promotes innovative education practices through training and workshops for students and teachers, not to mention hosting events, conferences and exhibitions set up by industry partners for various stakeholders.
 

The Novigado project partners are looking forward to connecting with anyone interested in the topic of advancing active learning in the classroom through innovation.
 

What do you think about active learning? Is it already taking place in your classroom and school? What would you need to make active learning a reality in your practice?
 

Stay tune for more information on Novigado! The first webinar organised by Novigado will focus on active learning and it takes place on 20 April (17h CEST).
 

Key Info

  • Funding: Erasmus+ Programme Key Action 2 (School Education - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices)
  • Start time: 01-12-2019
  • Duration: 30 months
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Erasmus+ Programme (funded with the support by)

The Novigado project is funded with support from the European Commission's Erasmus+ Programme. This publication/website reflects the views only of the author, and the EC cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.