For a Better Future for Students of the Next Generation Erasmus Project

Project Title

For a Better Future for Students of the Next Generation

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 Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education

Project Summary

“For a Better Future for Students of the Next Generation” was designed for raising teachers’ awareness of other ways of teaching as a way of reaching an open/innovative education and strengthening the teaching profession. This because many teachers were used to teacher-centred teaching and even if it was stated in most countries’ curricula, many schools had not adapted Entrepreneurial Learning (EL) as a way of giving the students the possibility to sufficiently develop and contribute to a sustainable future as informed and engaged European citizens.
Six countries, Sweden, Holland, Italy, Spain, Latvia and Poland were involved in the project. It was a mix of Secondary/Upper Secondary schools (2 vocational, 2 general and 1 mixed vocational/general). The teachers involved were teachers of different subjects, to see if a change could be made disregarding what kind of school or subject the teachers work in. Moreover, the countries came from the south, west, north and east of Europe. This to show the chance to a change in teaching towards an open/innovative education in different parts of Europe.
The objectives in the project were to develop the teachers’ knowledge in a new methodology. This was done by observing as well as working practically. The teachers let the students become more involved, responsible and cooperative, which engaged the students as a result. They moved out in the real world where school and society met. They gave the students outer frames and structure, allowed them to develop. Thus, to reach a change of teaching towards EL, which was going to give an open/innovative education in an aim to tackle (Early School Leaving) ESL.
To see if changes could be made, practise as well as students as a tool of practise was used. The project was divided in two parts: The A-part dealt with the environment and waste management in the different regions/cities. A research was carried out by the students, who learnt about the differences/similarities between the countries. They also visited several companies/authorities to get a right and good view of the subject. In addition, the teachers supervised and helped them finding the direction of how to learn about the natural capital by using EL. In the B-part entrepreneurship was pivotal. The project was going to find a solution for more sustainable cities/areas through entrepreneurship and recycling. In this case, the students started their own businesses in cooperation with real companies/entrepreneurs, in which they made and marketed their own art/products made of recyclable materials. During the project, the teachers made observations on the process of EL, which they discussed at transnational meetings and at learning/teaching/training activities together with the students.
The main results of the project were: – a change in views of teaching towards an open/innovative education embedded in the digital era. – to strengthen the teaching profession by working with EL. – to tackle ESL by working with new methods and tools, which would empower young people to participate in a future sustainable society through an entrepreneurial perspective within a European context. It can be said that a change has occurred, which has strengthened the teaching profession and a will to work harder to tackle ESL now exists in each school.
Several acitivites/methods have been used/carried out, e.g. exhibitions, lectures, documentaries, research on waste management, students’ businesses and work together with local companies/entrepreneurs. Moreover, teachers’ observations and students’ views of EL have been a thread through the whole project. Progresses/results have been monitored through 3 TM, 6 LTT, 2 Skype-meetings. The envisaged impact has been measured via questionnaires, other evaluation moments. The work and results have been spread at exhibitions. The project’s webpage, EPRP and a Facebook page have been platforms in which all the results have been shown to make the project visible both regionally, nationally and internationally. Local media, other schools/teachers and stakeholders have been informed about the results.
A longer term benefit has been that the students and the teacher have worked with improving the English language. This has been successful, above all for the students. Another longer term benefit has been that the teachers involved were stimulated to continue the work towards an open and innovative education and change view of teaching towards EL in an attempt to tackle ESL. They will continue this work in their home countries as well as in an international context. Finally, not only the participating schools but also people who have been secondary involved, e.g. politicians, school leaders, businesses, have changed attitude towards how to see young entrepreneurship as a part of a sustainable society within the European Dimension. All “For a Better Future for Students of the Next Generation”!

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 125086 Eur

Project Coordinator

Klippan Gymnasieskolor/Tegelbruksskolan & Country: SE

Project Partners

• Collegio Rotondi
• IES Campanillas
• Stichting Unicoz Onderwijsgroep
• Zespol Szkol Technicznych i Placowek im. St. Staszica w Nowym Targu
• Madonas Valsts gimnazija