Strengthening Inclusion of students with special needs through Positive Pedagogy Erasmus Project

Project Title

Strengthening Inclusion of students with special needs
through Positive Pedagogy

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 vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Pedagogy and didactics; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Strengthening inclusion of students with special needs through positive pedagogy is the European project of three vocational education organizations: “Fachakademie für Heilpädagogik ” from Germany, BeauSoleil vocational high school from France and Diakonia College of Finland (Suomen Diakoniaopisto Oy, SDO), which is coordinating this project. This project is an important part of each organization´s international activities.

The target is to develop professional skills of their staff and to strengthen inclusion of students with different special needs. The international exchange program has not been possible for students with special needs in these organizations.The three vocational colleges have a diverse range of learners. Many students need additional support and guidance along their study path. Positive pedagogical strength methods have been systematically used in the teaching and guidance of students with demanding special support in vocational education in every participating organizations. Now the teachers and coaches want to share and learn new ideas internationally. The aim is also increase equal opportunities to participate international activities for all students.

International cooperation cannot only be based on theory and internet communication exchanges. Also Meetings between the actors are necessary in Finland, France and Germany. This international exchange of positive pedagogy practices is new for the participants. In this Erasmus project, target is to understand better, how to prepare students to enter the labor market by identifying their strengths and actively using them, while learning professional knowledge, skills and competencies. The aim is to identify the differences between the countries and to transfer the knowledge and concrete actions.

During the first year the staff will meet and learn together from each others teaching methods in LTT-meetings. They will also plan and design “Positive together”- LTT-workshops and peer learning activities for the students with need special support to join for the second year. During the second year, teachers implement international training periods for the students in small groups. Through this, students with different special needs should be able to experience success and appreciate themselves. They also should feel better in class and less different with others students. Students from foreign countries would join students in the hosting organization. The European network provides a great peer learning environment for the development of international activities.

With strength pedagogy, the aim is to learn how to link positive teaching and the “learning by doing” premise, because it facilitates skills acquisition. It has been found that especially those students with special support needs require information about their own strengths to experience success and learn to guide their own activities. In an international culture, they can learn together and support one another in a positive way.

This project is a small pilot with few students. In order to develop special needs students strengths, skills, self-esteem and inclusion in pedagogical activities, the three partners will involve all students and the whole educative community. Erasmus+ international exchange is a great lifelong learning opportunity for staff and students. Later from these experiences could develop international staff and student program for bigger group and also organise work placements, when positive strength pedagogy is the method of evaluation.

This project with BeauSoleil vocational high school, Fachakademie für Heilpädagogik Regensburg and Diakonia College of Finland will be open to anyone follow trough organization´s www-pages and relevant Erasmus+ platforms. The project material is free to use for all Erasmus+ family members.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 78372 Eur

Project Coordinator

Suomen Diakoniaopisto SDO OY & Country: FI

Project Partners

• Katholische Jugendfürsorge der Diözese Regensburg e. V.
• LEAP Beausoleil