Transition Year Teachers’ Seminar

Getting back to basics – A skills based approach to teaching about global issues.
This free event takes place on Saturday February 5th from 9:45 – 3:30 pm at the Athlone Springs Hotel.

To download the flyer click here

For more information or to register contact Ruth at: campaign@debtireland.org or 01 617 4835.

Speakers

    * Michael O’Leary, national Co-ordinator Transition Year Programme
    * Annette Honan, National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA)

This event is being organised by Comhlámh, the Debt and Development Coalition, ECO UNESCO and Trócaire in association with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (DES) and the NCCA.

To register contact Ruth at: campaign@debtireland.org or 01 617 4835.

This seminar aims to ‘get back to basics’ in considering the skills students need to develop during transition year – research and information processing skills, group skills, critical thinking and reflection skills, dialogue and listening skills and skills associated with undertaking action projects. Practical ideas for developing these skills will be demonstrated and lots of resources will be provided to take back to your classroom. While the day will focus on issues relating to the environment, human rights and economic justice, the resources and methodologies used will be of value in teaching a wide variety of topics and the skills gained will be easily transferrable across the curriculum. There is no cost for this event, and lunch and resources will be provided free of charge.

Workshops

(1) ‘No need to be the expert!
Exploring Complex and Controversial Issues in the Classroom’
Debt and Development Coalition Ireland

This workshop will provide teachers with practical methodologies to use in the classroom when exploring complex or hotly contested social and economic issues. At this time of global financial collapse, the workshop will focus on the topical question of global financial justice. Participants will develop skills to help students explore all sides of a challenging topic and engage with each other on differences of opinion – all within a context where the teacher need not be the ‘expert’ in the room. The workshop will provide plenty of activities for the classroom, drawn form a new transition unit ‘How the World Works’.

(2) ‘Learning by Doing – Motivating students through Action Projects’
ECO UNESCO

This workshop will focus on developing the skills needed for motivating and educating young people through environmental action projects. It will provide a practical step by step guide on how to carry out an environmental action project. While the workshop will draw on ECO-UNESCO’s extensive experience in the field of environmental education, the ideas and skills gained in this workshop will be of interest to any teacher involved in organizing action for change with students.

(3) ‘Food for all? Developing students research and group working skills’
Trócaire

In a world where information is available at the touch of a button and where knowledge is changing constantly, Trócaire will bring you through a practical workshop that will explore how to improve your student’s information processing skills.  From the first question asked, we will bring you through a hands-on session that will focus on the issue of food, the right to food and how to research, review and process new information.

(4) ‘Exploring Diversity and Global Justice through the Arts’
Comhlámh

Tired of teaching the left brain? Interested in exploring ways of teaching that engage students more visually and more creatively? This workshop will provide practical ideas on how to use art forms, including music, storytelling, drama and art, to explore identity, challenge discrimination and promote justice locally and globally. For more information on this workshop read about similar training we have held here . 

For more information on Transition units see www.ncca.ie/transitionunits