Courses start on:
6 October 2024
Barcelona, Spain
20 October 2024
Zagreb, Croatia
3 November 2024
Barcelona, Spain
1 December 2024
Zagreb, Croatia
5 January 2025
Santas Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
2 February 2025
Barcelona, Spain
16 February 2025
Angra do Heroismo, PT (Azores)
2 March 2025
Barcelona, Spain
20 April 2025
Zagreb, Croatia
1 June 2025
Angra do Heroismo, PT (Azores)
15 June 2025
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
27 July 2025
Barcelona, Spain
10 August 2025
Fira, Greece (Santorini)
24 August 2025
Angra do Heroismo, PT (Azores)
5 October 2025
Barcelona, Spain
19 October 2025
Zagreb, Croatia
2 November 2025
Barcelona, Spain
30 November 2025
Zagreb, Croatia
Each course session is available with 7 days and 10 days programme option
Additional dates and tailor made courses are possible on request
CREATIVE METHODS IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION - COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction
This course is aimed at teachers and school staff from pre-school level to primary, secondary, vocational, adult and special needs education, staff of non-government organizations, government and policy makers and company staff as well as students and all those who are interested in integration and inclusion and the use of creative, artistic and game based methods in special needs education. Participants are expected to have at least B1 level of English proficiency.
Methodology
Methodology is based on theoretical lessons and presentations of examples of good practice as well as discussions and experience comparisons. The course will focus on social, art and game based activities which enhance development of support factors. Some other tools used will consist of project work, role play, simulations, laboratory practice, reflection and evaluation.
Objectives
-
Understanding of theoretical background of special needs education.
-
Understanding how social, art and game based activities can enhance the development of support factors.
-
Identification and understanding of risks, factors and barriers for integration and inclusion.
-
Developing communication, collaboration, presentation, problem solving, negotiation, critical and creative thinking skills.
-
Learning student-centered approaches in special needs education context such as task based learning and problem based learning within a fictional context of process drama.
-
Enhancing understanding of the potential simulations and role play have for integration, inclusion and learning in special needs education.
-
Providing and exercising creative ideas and practical resources for successful implementation of creative methods in special needs education in different settings
-
Improving English fluency (official language of the course).
-
Promoting intercultural awareness.
-
Sharing experiences of special needs education from different organizations in order to help each of us to be more effective in our work.
-
Developing the online collaboration platform for preparation, dissemination and networking in order to develop future partnerships and projects.
-
Strengthening the European collaboration among people involved in special needs education and practicing creative methods in different contexts.
-
Providing insights into different education systems.
Networking opportunities and cultural programme
The course includes networking opportunities and cultural exchange opportunities to create European dimension and find possible partners for future projects as well as a city tour or a cultural trip (depending on the location). These are included in the course fee and at no additional expence for participants.
Preparation
After registration participants will receive pre-course questionnaire which will be used by the trainer to learn about participants’ teaching backgrounds and to assess their exact needs. Before the beginning of the course a basic reading list will be suggested to participants to prepare for the training. Participants will also be asked to prepare a presentation about themselves, their professional context and their culture which will be presented during the course. Participants will receive information about the country they are going to visit in order to prepare them for their cultural experience.
Follow up
After the course participants will be asked to share what they have learned with the rest of the staff in their schools. Further books and articles to deepen the topic and contacts with some other practitioners all over Europe and in the world will be suggested by the trainer. The methods shared and explored and the bibliography given will allow the participants to complete and improve their educational path.
Certificate
Each participant will get a course attendance certificate and the Europass Mobility Document.
Paperwork
We also provide all the support with paperwork you might need for your Erasmus+ project documentation such as mobility agreement and regsitration letter.
Draft Programme
Day 1
-
Welcome and introduction of trainers and participants
-
Cultural exchange.
-
Warm ups and icebreakers.
-
Course expectations and needs analysis, setting up a collaborative learning environment and creating an educational contract.
-
Outline of the programme.
-
Introduction to special needs education
Day 2
-
Social, art and game based activities which enhance development of support factors
-
Introduction to group dynamics
Day 3
-
Well-being and mindfulness strategies
-
Practical workshop on creative expression: Unveiling hidden emotions
Day 4
-
Universal Design for Learning (UDL Method) - how to reach and teach SEN students
-
Teambuilding and networking activities with a city tour or a cultural trip
Day 5
-
Introduction to inclusive classroom
-
case studies and examples of good practice
-
-
Identification of risks, factors and barriers for integration and inclusion
Day 6
-
Stimulating learning and expression through kinaesthetic experience
-
Exploring emotions through color and abstract expression
Day 7
-
Design of personal plan for implementation of creative methods in special needs education.
-
Individual support.
-
Presentation of outputs (personal implementation plans).
-
Group reflection, feedback and discussion.
-
Dissemination strategy and European dimension.
-
Validation of the learning outcomes.
-
Evaluation of the course.
-
Closing session.
Day 1
-
Welcome and introduction of trainers and participants
-
Cultural exchange.
-
Warm ups and icebreakers.
-
Course expectations and needs analysis, setting up a collaborative learning environment and creating an educational contract.
-
Outline of the programme.
-
Introduction to special needs education
Day 2
-
Social, art and game based activities which enhance development of support factors
-
Introduction to group dynamics
Day 3
-
Well-being and mindfulness strategies
-
Practical workshop on creative expression: Unveiling hidden emotions
Day 4
-
Universal Design for Learning (UDL Method) - how to reach and teach SEN students
-
Teambuilding and networking activities with a city tour or a cultural trip
Day 5
-
Introduction to inclusive classroom
-
case studies and examples of good practice
-
-
Identification of risks, factors and barriers for integration and inclusion
Day 6
-
Stimulating learning and expression through kinaesthetic experience
-
Exploring emotions through color and abstract expression
Day 7
-
Task-based learning and problem-based learning within a fictional context
-
Experiential learning through process drama and interactive storytelling methods
Day 8
-
Understanding the brain science behind empathy
-
How mirror neurons work
-
-
Emotional literacy workshop
Day 9
-
Planning, design and preparation of implementation of creative methods in special needs education (working on the course outputs).
-
Design of personal plan for implementation of creative methods in special needs education
-
choice of a theme or an area of curriculum,
-
choice of techniques, methods and approaches,
-
resources, preparation time and activities,
-
evaluation and assessment plan.
-
-
Individual support
Day 10
-
Presentation of outputs (personal implementation plans).
-
Group reflection, feedback and discussion.
-
Dissemination strategy and European dimension.
-
Validation of the learning outcomes.
-
Evaluation of the course.
-
Closing session.
10 days programme (50 didactic hours = 5*45 min + 15 min break per day) 800 €
7 day programme (35 didactic hours = 5*45 min + 15 min break per day) 560 €