Description
Contemporary educational settings require schools, teachers, and students to have a better understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, identities, and perspectives.
As lack of awareness and sensitivity about these aspects can lead to exclusion, discrimination, and unequal opportunities for students, even the European Union is asking educational institutions to change to better consider these challenges in connection to young and younger learners.
This course will help participants promote a more inclusive and equitable learning environment by raising discussion and awareness on the concepts of culture, inclusion, human rights, and democracy in education.
Schoolteachers from primary and secondary education will improve their capacity of creating a classroom that values diversity and fosters respect for all students.
During the course, participants will learn how to recognize and respect cultural differences, promote inclusion and equity in the classroom, and implement human rights and democratic principles in education.
They will engage in discussions and activities that explore the impact of cultural identity on learning and develop strategies to support students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., students with an experience as migrants).
Participants will also learn how to facilitate sensitive debates and discussions, promote tolerance and respect, and create a positive learning environment for all students.
By the end of the course, participants will know how to recognize and appreciate diverse cultures and identities, promote inclusion and equity in the classroom, and implement human rights and democratic principles in education. They will feel more confident in creating a learning environment that values and respects all students, regardless of their background.
NOTE:
This course has been created as a part of the European project EU-TEAM: European Teachers on the Move, co-funded by the European Union. Materials of the course are freely available for school teachers and online users in the Massive Open Online Course.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Define the concepts of culture, inclusion, human rights, and democracy in the context of education;
- Analyse the impact of cultural identity on student learning and classroom dynamic;
- Promote inclusion and equity in the classroom, including ways to address bias and stereotypes;
- Recognize and respect cultural differences and diverse perspectives;
- Create an environment that values and celebrates diversity;
- Promote social justice and equality;
- Facilitate sensitive debates and discussions;
- Create a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Introduction to the course and to the different definitions of culture
Course Introduction
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
EU education: an introduction
- Shared discussion of participants’ needs;
- Educating to the EU;
- What is EU-related content?
- Why teaching EU-related subjects?
Day 2 – Culture, diversity and inclusion
- Introducing learners to cultural difference;
- Promoting inclusion in the classroom;
- Diversity vs. Equity: Managing and implementing the two.
Day 3 – Intercultural communication vs. Cross-cultural communication
- The obstacles to Intercultural Communication:
- Culture shock;
- Culture clash;
- Stereotypes;
- Prejudices.
- Intercultural learning exercises:
- Recognizing culture shock – Culture shock checklist;
- Cross-cultural communication skills checklist;
- Explore and implement the RADAR technique.
Day 4 – Implementing human rights in the classroom
- Human rights according to the EU;
- Familiarizing students with Human Rights;
- Migration and cross-cultural mediation.
Day 5 – Bringing democracy in the classroom
- Implementing democracy in education
- Implementing sensitive debate in education
- Developing a culture of tolerance
Day 6 – Course closure & cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
