Long heralded as key competencies for 21st-century learners, the ”Four Cs” (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration) are often embraced in theory yet stump educators in practice.
Creativity and Critical Thinking represent inseparable attitudes and abilities for innovation which, contrary to popular belief, can be learned, taught, and implemented in any classroom.
Communication and Collaboration are fundamental life skills that students can draw from in their everyday experiences at school and shape their ability to live, connect with others, and work well in the future.
The “Four Cs” strengthen our learners’ ability to find their place – professionally, personally, and socially – in today’s fast-changing world, while fostering other life-enhancing Cs: curiosity, confidence, caring, and cooperation.
This course aims to provide teachers with the knowledge, know-how, and confidence to incorporate these stimulating skills into their curriculum and school environment.
In a true learn-by-doing environment, course participants will gain greater knowledge about what these competencies entail and not only how to teach them, but first and foremost how to tap into their own ability to create, think critically, communicate effectively, and collaborate well with others.
Broaden collaborative opportunities in the classroom and encourage them in all aspects of the school community;
Live a truly international team-building experience.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Course introduction & setting goals
Course introduction
Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
Icebreaker activities using drama for trust and ensemble building.
Setting goals
Identification of needs and goals for each participant and relevant populations;
Introductions, lessons, and discussion about 21st-century learners, and the current situation in Europe;
The 4Cs in the curriculum;
Group discussion and activities;
Presentations of the participants’ schools.
Day 2 – Classroom communication
Lesson and discussion regarding kinds of communication used at school, verbal, written, non-verbal, digital, artistic, musical;
How to create and promote channels of communication and listening through collaborative work and social and emotional intelligence-building activities.
Day 3 – Encouraging creative minds
Lesson and activities about creativity, what it means, why it is important, and how to encourage it;
Critical thinking as fundamental to the second step of the creative process.
Day 4 – Integrating the 4Cs
Lesson about strategies and examples of successful implementation;
How to incorporate the 4Cs into the curriculum in a meaningful way;
Practical activities.
Day 5 – 4Cs overview
Simulations of good communication, and group activities to generate new ideas about collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking;
Pitfalls to avoid when implementing the 4Cs.
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.
Dates and locations
You can register for any date, even if it's not yet confirmed, especially if you're interested in courses several weeks away. Once we have a few more enrollments, we will confirm the date. If we are unable to confirm it, we will offer you alternative options.
Combine a confirmed date of this course with a confirmed date of another course and easily create a two week course by yourself. Start selecting one confirmed date of this course and see which other courses are confirmed in the same Academy the previous week and the following week.
Reviews about this course
Nadia Gabbarrinifrom Italy
A great experience which has given me the opportunity to meet teachers from other countries, sharing with them our previous experiences and also the idea of collaborating together in order to find the best solutions.
Zrinka Jurichfrom Croatia
This was my first and I am definitely richer for one new experience. I met a lot of dear people and learned something from each of them. I have learned some new ways to encourage creativity, collaborative work and communication with my students and I will use them in my future work. I'm looking forward for some new projects and courses!
Lucie Kuluri
This course is the perfect way how to connect nice and useful things together. Susan is a very pleasant and professional lecturer. The lessons are perfectly developed all in a critical thinking way that is naturally applied in any step/method she uses. The course involves all we as teachers need in the education of the 21st century. It’s fun, motivating, educative, and definitely worth attending… In the end, you want it to happen again ♥️
Tanja Dinicfrom Serbia
This was the best course I have taken in my entire career. It is completely applicable in terms of contemporary education. I was given what I had expected and hoped for, new educational techniques, which will be immensely appreciated in my professional as well as my personal life. The structure of the course is fabulous, as well as its organization. Ms Susan Gagliano is simply fantastic as a lecturer and trainer.