The partnership expected to develop and deliver innovative teaching materials, presented in an inclusive and accessible open learning platform (including an online collection of pieces of art, a Digital Book and a tool kit for educators) giving visibility to the underlying potential of art as a teaching/learning tool and as a social inclusion tool. Objectives were • to make adult learners acquainted with national and European cultural heritage and to encourage them to search for common European cultural roots; • to help adult learners understand that Europe is culture; • to show learners the value of intercultural learning and culture for being together as people of Europe; • to contribute towards building European awareness and identity through disclosing and communicating elements of its culture; • to contribute towards developing visual literacy in adult education, and the education of learners who have special needs and abilities (dyslectics, people with hearing impairments, etc.); • to familiarise learners with the nature and imagery of the four elements; • to make learners acquainted with stories connected with the four elements and the way they are communicated in fine arts.
After the success of the 4 ELEMENTS AND LEGENDS project, coordinated by CVO EduKempen, this partnership decided to take a step further and continue exploring the potential of the methodology, but this time with an eye on art, creativity and creative thinking. During their previous project, the partners discovered that provision for adult learners with special needs who take part in nonformal and informal education in the field of foreign languages lacked adapted tools and methods for educators - social workers, teachers, mentors and professors. Therefore this new project supports educators in raising awareness and appreciation of the potential of creative thinking, art and creativity to fight the alienation of people with special needs who take part in life-long learning, and provide adult educators with the tools and techniques needed to implement new educational practices and approaches with their learners.