Some Intro

Most “famous” key competencies for 21st-century learners, the so-called in educational society, the” Four Cs” (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration) are often presented in theory and in educational recommendations, yet stump educators in practice in every day classroom.

Creativity and Critical Thinking are considered to be crucial attitudes and abilities for innovation which, contrary to popular belief, can be learned, taught, practiced and implemented in the classroom.

Communication and Collaboration are important life skills connected to students’ everyday experiences inside and outside school and are closely related to their ability to live, connect with others, and work well in their future. The “Four Cs” strengthen learners’ ability to become autonomous and independent as students but also to find their place – professionally, personally, socially – in today’s fast changing world.

Who is this course for

This course is aimed at teachers and school staff from pre-school level to primary, secondary, vocational, adult and special needs education, staff of non-government organizations, government and policy makers and company staff as well as students and all those interested in innovative ways in education to stimulate engagement and critical thinking. Participants are expected to have at least B1 level of English proficiency.

Description

4Cs educational practices and pedagogical tips have been really popular in education for some time now and are some of the most important skills students as citizens of the future.  At the same time, they are also some of the most challenging skills that educators should teach.

Through this training, we would like to enhance teachers' understanding of 4Cs in education and offer them highly effective methods for teaching critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration skills.  

This course aims to provide participants with the knowledge, the know-how, and the confidence to integrate these important skills into their curriculum and school environment.

In an experiential, learn-by-doing environment, course participants will gain greater knowledge about what these competencies entail and not only how to teach them, but first and foremost how to tap into their own ability to create, to think critically, to communicate effectively, and to collaborate well with others.

Objectives

By completing this course, participants will;  

• Explore the pedagogical meaning of the 4Cs  
• Familiarize with each one of the competences and the way they can be integrated
• Gain ideas about practices, procedures, activities, tools and tips for teaching the 4Cs in any teaching context
• Become familiar with digital tools and application to practice skills around the 4Cs 
• Work experientially on the practical application of 4Cs in classroom 
• Familiarize with assessment practices on the observation and reflection on the cultivation of the 4Cs  
• Gain knowledge about project-based learning and implications of the 4Cs 

Methodology

In our teacher training course, we will introduce and analyse the concepts of 4Cs and what is there beyond 4Cs in education. Apart from the theory, delivered through interactive presentations and lectures, participants will be given various practical examples and tips on how to apply these principles in their teaching.

This training focuses on how educators can purposefully integrate technology into instruction to facilitate the practice and mastery of each of the 4Cs along with other learning objectives. Popular and easy to use applications will be presented and used by the participants themselves.

This 5-day training is packed with practical and engaging strategies that will transform the way teachers experience teaching.

Each day the participants will be presented with a digital tool and then have the opportunity to use it: Blogs, Sway presentations, OneNote, Microsoft photos and Microsoft forms

Agenda/Course schedule

5 days programme

Day 1  

• Welcoming and Introduction of the course programme  
• Presentation of participants  
• Ice-breaking activities  
• What do we mean by 4Cs in education?  
• Framework of learning in the 21^st century
• Exploring the pedagogical meaning of the 4Cs through a workshop on Microsoft photos

 Day 2

• Critical Thinking - definitions and basic principles  
• Teaching students to think critically  
• Digital literacy: fake news, preparing students for digital literacy
• Making connections across subject areas and to the world around us
• Using blogs and vlogs in class to cultivate critical thinking

Day 3  

• Creativity: ‘Do schools kill creativity?’  
• Definitions and principles of creativity  
• Conventional Vs unconventional thinking
• Creativity in the classroom: tools and techniques to boost students’ potential  
• Using SWAY tool for creative presentations

Day 4

• Collaboration - definition and basic principles  
• Problem solving techniques - Coming together to create, produce, or solve a problem  
• Learning how to promote their ideas in a group and also to validate the ideas of others
• Activities to foster collaboration in a classroom setting
• Using OneNote class Notebook to share material and resources with your class 

Day 5

• Communication - definition and basic principles  
• Strategies to improve classroom communication  
• 4C-based school projects - engaging examples and demonstrations of each of the 4Cs in action  
• Final Remarks, evaluation of the training using Microsoft forms
• Certification of Attendance  

13-17.02.2023 Larissa

06-10.03.2023 Thessaloniki

12-16.06.2023 Skiathos Island

09-13.10.2023 Athens

27.11-01.12.2023 Thessaloniki