The 4Cs: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration in Schools

Table of Contents

Description

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.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants to:  

  • Gain a clear understanding of the creative process and experience it first-hand;
  • Think critically and get the most out of today’s information overload;
  • Experience more effective communication abilities and techniques;
  • 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, 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.

Confirmed Sessions

LocationStarting DateStatusEnrol
Amsterdam11 December 2023ConfirmedBook »
Amsterdam11 December 2023ConfirmedBook »
Florence22 January 2024ConfirmedBook »
Berlin29 January 2024ConfirmedBook »
Dublin5 February 2024ConfirmedBook »
Nice12 February 2024ConfirmedBook »
Florence26 February 2024ConfirmedBook »
Dublin4 March 2024ConfirmedBook »
Amsterdam15 April 2024ConfirmedBook »
Florence22 April 2024ConfirmedBook »
Amsterdam20 May 2024ConfirmedBook »
Florence27 May 2024ConfirmedBook »
Dublin1 July 2024ConfirmedBook »

All Available Dates

= confirmed date

Amsterdam

Price*: 580€

Berlin

Price*: 480€

Dublin

Price*: 580€

Florence

Price*: 480€

Nice

Price*: 480€
OID: E10279002A

*23-28 Oct 2023: Session in French

*A 60 € late registration fee will be applied if you register less than 8 weeks before the course start date.

Discover all courses and activities in Nice

Prague

Price*: 480€

Reviews about this course

Nadia Gabbarrinifrom Italy
5 stars

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
5 stars

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
5 stars

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
5 stars

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.

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