CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT Our project is built on cultural events and heritage festivals as a driver to embed multidisciplinary ways of teaching in primary schools. The context behind our project initiative is to appeal to the interests and natural enthusiasm of children and to use this effectively in an interactive and engaging way to learn. OUR APPROACH Multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary learning is a "whole" or "comprehensive" method that covers an idea, topic, or text by integrating multiple knowledge domains . It is a very powerful method of teaching that crosses the boundaries of a discipline or curriculum in order to enhance the scope and depth of learning. How does this relate to our plans? Synergy is the primary force behind multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary learning. Imagine being able to teach character development, basic math, and basic science concepts via a classic text. How about basic geography, writing skills, and point of view from the same materials? Is it possible to also teach about comprehension, sequence, literal vs. non-literal, imagination, plot, theme, compare and contrast, opinion pieces, vocabulary, friendship, bullying, and critical thinking? The answer is yes, and the genre is legends, myths, and fables. All found in regional culture & heritage. This is best experienced by having pupils and their teachers take part in exciting interactive cultural events, and by working inspired by these events & themes in a multidisciplinary way at school in the weeks/months before and after partaking in the event. OUR OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES * For teachers: As a result of their active involvement with CULTURE UNITED primary school teachers will improve their ability to: 1) plan and execute their curricula and lessons to be more regionally relevant, 2) align existing learning materials to this matter and develop additional materials where needed, 3) combine fields which are traditionally taught separately in a multidisciplinary way of teaching, based on regional culture and heritage, and 4) work with and involve third parties in education. As a result their teaching will also improve because of their enhanced didactic skills. The teachers will have more didactic tools at their disposal, which will allow them to provide their pupils with a rich and engaging learning environment strengthening pupils’ sense of connectedness to their learning. * For pupils: The enhanced lessons will deepen the pupils’ immersion in the teaching materials. This will ensure improved final results in a more challenging learning environment. * For school organisations: The schools' vision of education will be enhanced (regionally and real world oriented in a multidisciplinary way). Furthermore, the school will expand its outlook mainly as a result of the new contacts with regional cultural events organisers and other relevant key players to become a fully local community involved and outward-looking organisation. This process will create a new dimension in the range of education, which will allow the school to profile itself towards outwards to parents and the inspectorate. In addition, we will target cultural event organisers with a specific output (IO3) and commit them via our Regional Education-Culture Unions (IO2) to primary education and education innovation. All Open Educational Resources will go onto our IO4 Online community & platform. METHODOLOGY With primary school partners and cultural events organisers on board the consortium in every partner region working together, we transnationally join forces to come to innovative and universal support tools for school teachers and cultural event organisers to use across European regions. Making optimal use of expertise and resources found among our complementary partners. The project will be delivered and sustained by 9 partners spread across 5 countries: • Stichting Beleef & Herinner (NL) • Kunstkade (NL) • Municipality of Oulu (FI) • Oulu International School (FI) • Creative Spark (IE) • Gael Scoil Dun Dealgan primary school (IE) • Edinburgh City Council (UK) • Unique Events (UK) • Open Education Community (BE)
The objective of CULTURE UNITED is to appeal to the interests and natural enthusiasm of children (in primary school) and to use this effectively in an interactive and engaging way to learn about their cultural heritage in an interdisciplinary way: to at the same time learn basic skills and competences like reading, writing, math. Regional culture and heritage serving as a driver for a multidisciplinary and engaging way of teaching in primary education across Europe. CULTURE UNITED evolves around cultural performances, happenings and events where a region’s DNA is strongly present and which provides a true experience for pupils. Taking advantage of their enthusiasm, involving them into the cultural heritage festival, their young minds were open and their eagerness to learn was high. It has been a way to embed multidisciplinary teaching and learning. Traditional fields such as history, math, art, geography, crafts, were integrated as regional culture and heritage is very multisided. Pupils get a clear context how abstract (school) topics all have a direct relation with practice and the outside world, directly within their own region.
ANNEXES UPLOADED @ SHAREPOINT NUFFIC Our project is built on cultural events and heritage festivals as a driver to embed multidisciplinary ways of teaching in primary schools. The idea was partly inspired by the visit of the Giants of Royal de Luxe to Leeuwarden during the Capital of Culture year. School children were very excited about this in the weeks before and after the event (drawing pictures, talking about it). What if we could use this enthusiasm and interest in the classroom? Would children learn easier, better and with more fun? YES! The context behind CULTURE UNITED is to appeal to interests and natural enthusiasm of children and to use this effectively in an interactive and engaging way to learn (inter/multidisciplinary) about their cultural heritage and in a broader way, use that to learn basic skills and competences like reading, writing, math. The general NEEDS to work with cultural heritage festivals, teach children about local heritage, stimulate them to learn in a fun, interdisciplinary way is reflected in the Outputs that we created. With tools and training for teachers, a toolkit for event organizations and a toolkit for schools we support educators and pupils in developing basic skills and key competences.