POWER OF ART – Humanistic Contextual Education

Learning Objectives

Humanistic Contextual Education (HEC)

1. to understand the potential of integrating content from various humanities subjects and the benefits of applying it to the educational process for students and teachers.
2. to gain the ability to create teaching tools and materials for teaching using HEC ideas.
3. To gain the ability to design, test and adapt learning activities to the needs and expectations of students through the implementation of the HEC idea.

Mental games

To acquire the ability to use and create mental games, i.e. interdisciplinary creative tasks based on activation methods and appealing to the emotions and imagination of students. Mental games engage the students in the educational process and support the formation of their social competence. When creating Mental Games, we reach for multimedia and cultural resources in urban and online spaces and encourage students to look at works of art in context.

Photovoice method

1. To gain the ability to implement an innovative educational technique during classes. 
2. to develop the ability to express a point of view through the creation of photographs.
3. designing educational tasks in which photography becomes a stimulus for conversation and reflection about the surrounding world.
4. to learn about the tool, supporting local participation and supporting the role of children/students as researchers.

Educational community:

1. to create a friendly and supportive educational community where you can share ideas and experiences as well as solve your problems..
2. gaining knowledge about the use of photovoice as a method of diagnosing problems in the school community and empowering it (empowerment).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this intensive course, participants will acquire a comprehensive set of methods and tools for introducing a teaching innovation such as humanistic contextual education (HEC) to enhance/improve the teaching process of humanities subjects using a variety of digital tools, and use the potential of art to talk with students about social issues important to them, including issues related to their problems, challenges and expectations.

As part of the course, participants will also receive a package of ready-to-use materials for use in the classroom (lesson plans with worksheets, methodological prompts, mental games with inspirations for their use).

Benefits for Learners

By implementing the idea of humanistic contextual education in school practice, students will be able to:

– develop key competencies, e.g. civic competence and cultural awareness and expression (as recommended by the Council of Europe, 2018),
– explore and discuss contemporary social issues and challenges through art,
– develop their creativity, strengthen their skills, related to the critical reception of art,
– experience the integration of knowledge in the humanities, understand concepts, related to the universality of art,
– learn the cultural contexts necessary for active participation in society, contributing to the formation of a cultural and artistic community.

Priorities addressed

• inclusion, promoting equality and non-discrimination
• digital skills and competences
• creating new, innovative or joint curricula or courses
• social responsibility of educational institutions
• key competences development
• new learning and teaching methods and approaches
• bridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divide 
• creativity, arts and culture

Course Content

1. Artistic icebreakers.
2. Assumptions and the idea of HEC (humanistic contextual education) in school didactics.
Exploring the role of art and culture in the educational process. Our needs and expectations from the idea of HEC.
3. The power of contexts session.
Influencing students’ social and emotional development through HEC – testing proposals for activities based on the idea of HEC.
Designing humanistic contextual learning activities – workshop.
Cultural activity in the afternoon: Polysensory experience of art – creative workshops combined with learning about local art and culture.
4. Mental games session.
Mental games as a teaching tool – examples of solutions and applications.
Our mental games – workshop.
Evaluation tools for monitoring HEC implementation.
5. Urban Session/City Session:
The potential and power of street art (street art) – photovoice workshop (idea, assumptions, forms of work – experience of the method). 
The photovoice method (implemented within the framework of the now coveted outdoor education) uses photography to allow participants to document their environment, community or experiences and express their point of view. This is an extremely inspiring, innovative method and, thanks to the ubiquity of smartphones, a very easy to implement method that can revolutionize educational processes, involving participants fully in the teaching process and making it more attractive!  Its use also strengthens critical thinking, social and interpersonal competencies, and allows developing children’s competence as researchers (an increasingly valued participatory method in education).
6. Reflection Session – a community of information and inspiration, team building a bank of teaching ideas based on favorite works of art (creative and imaginative tasks).
7. Summary of key elements of the training and evaluation of the course.

Methodology

Embark with us on an inspiring educational journey celebrating the diversity of art, culture that connects us all! Each day, you will dive into three engaging sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours. We’ll make sure to keep things lively with a refreshing break between sessions. You will also have a lot of opportunities to explore the region with our outdoor educational sessions and cultural trips.

Here’s what you can expect:

Motivating and Entertaining Sessions
Our goal is to make learning enjoyable! The sessions will be filled with motivation and entertainment, ensuring that you can easily apply what you’ve learned when you’re back in your schools.

Funny and Participative Methodology
Say goodbye to dull lectures! We believe in learning through laughter and active participation. Our funny and participative approach will keep you engaged throughout the course.

Practical and Dynamic Nature
This course is all about hands-on learning! We’ve crafted a practical and dynamic experience, giving you the confidence to apply new techniques and strategies. Be prepared for interactive exercises that bring the concepts to life.

Ongoing Support
The learning doesn’t stop when the course ends! Join our forum and discussion groups to keep the exchange of good practices going. Use our evaluation tools to assess the impact of the course on your school. 

Evaluation format:
Participants will be assessed throughout the course, usually through in-class participation. This will help instructors monitor progress and provide students with ongoing feedback.

Costs

The 560 EUR fee covers the course tuition, issuing the required Erasmus+ documents, coffee breaks, and a guided tour.
We offer an optional cultural programme in order to provide you with opportunities to explore the wonders of the area. All the details including the destinations and the prices will be sent to the participants two months before the course starts.