Developing English, Engagement, Motivation, Challenge and addressing Big Issues by using Art, and an Arts Approach, to Non Arts Subjects. Erasmus Project

Project Title

Developing English, Engagement, Motivation, Challenge and addressing Big Issues by using Art, and an Arts Approach, to Non Arts Subjects.

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Ethics, religion and philosophy (incl. Inter-religious dialogue); Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education

Project Summary

As teachers we see how difficult it is for many subjects to initially engage or enthuse students. The sheer mention of Physics to a student sees many drop their heads in desperation on to the desk. Arts subjects rarely have that problem. This project is attempting to find ways of engaging, enthusing and motivating students in non-arts subjects by taking what might appear to be an ‘off the wall’ approach to engaging students but which is in fact a well-considered, well planned and well executed attempt to fire up students in the classroom.

The project is innovative because it is using an Arts Approach and Content as a way into NON-Arts subjects on the curriculum. We shall be using a variety of famous and influential Works of Art to explore and respond to a variety of real issues that affect partner countries within the European Union. Having consulted all partners, areas of concern for us all are – Child Protection; Migration; Safeguarding; Racism; Cyber Safety; Mental Health Issues across all age groups; the aging population and associated issues; Gang culture and modern society; the role of the Family in communities; Employment. Suggested Art Works to look at, at the moment, The Sistine Chapel (The Creation); Guernica; The Scream; Work; The Vitruvian Man; Th Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory and Starry Night.

The main innovation in this project will not necessarily be the content but the methodology, techniques and strategies that will be used and shared to achieve the goals of the project. However, the MANNER in which the content is used will be quite innovative – Michael Angelo’s “Creation” and Quantum Physics.

The project will enhance transversal skills in our students by developing communication skills through practical work; through face to face meetings, and also through online communication throughout the project for different purposes. It will also introduce new skills, not only through modern foreign languages and content, but adding the development of high order interpersonal skills. We intend to use famous Works of Art not only as a means of engagement, motivation, stimulus and challenge to the wider curriculum – Physics, Chemistry, Maths etc, but we also wish to use them as a stimulus to explore shared concerns regarding issues that impact upon the European Union. In doing so we will establish an environment rich with cooperation and values from a young persons’ perspective, and at the same time consider how this might impact upon future generations; this will be a strategy to enhance basic skills. Such awareness of serious and important issues will prepare todays students, as leaders of the future and for what to be aware of for the EU in years to come. In the current EU political climate, it could not be more relevant.
Students will work in mixed multinational teams on the project before , during and after each mobility. Therefore effective communication becomes a pre-requisite. Digital competency is already a basic skill necessary for young people to seek employment and everyday life, so the project will exchange good practice in ICT and computing methodologies in the teaching and learning process. This will be further developed by using it to share real concerns and creative ideas through the development and reflective stages of the project. During mobilities ICT will be used to support the presentation of ideas using ICT in it’s broadest sense – digital sound, images, lighting and recording as well as basic ICT skills to acquire and present information.
Pupils will be equipped with many transferable skills to prepare them for the world of employment. There will be a great emphasis on co-operation and collaboration in order to achieve desired outcomes. Often, individuals and groups will have to be prepared to make difficult decisions about content, ways forward or the ways in which people are working and how effective that is. These are very much people skills, but highly delicate and quite sensitive and something which many adults struggle with on occasion.

The project will promote entrepreneurship in it’s widest sense for all participants.
With the help of Manchester Metropolitan University staff, we will equip teachers and schools with drama techniques and strategies for the development of the English language.
Pupils will have to be entrepreneuring in their approaches to the solution to tasks and projects that have been set. Invention and creativity will be the hallmarks of the content of the project. Finding alternative ways to address an issue will be crucial to it’s success through the communication of ideas and views to other people.
The approach is transferable to a lot of difficult content but the opportunities it creates for collaboration in the future is immense. It will challenge schools as institutions in the way they organise learning and experiences for students. Can they be innovative in finding solutions?

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 277476 Eur

Project Coordinator

Ysgol Bryn Alyn & Country: UK

Project Partners

• AGRUPAMENTO DE ESCOLAS DR. JORGE AUGUSTO CORREIA
• THE MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
• Soendervangsschool
• TRITO LYKEIO XANTHIS
• OZEL TAN FEN LISESI