Another major activity of the KA2 Project “VR in School Education and Civic Participation” took place with great success in Athens, last week.
From Tuesday the 28th of September 2021 until the 1st of October 2021 the Institute of Research & Training on European Affairs (I.R.T.E.A) hosted its partners in Athens and implemented the Short-Term Joint Staff Training Activity of the project.
Teachers and representatives of the 4 partnering schools of the project [Peiramatiko Geniko Likio Panepistimiou Kritis (Rethymno, Greece), Escola Secundaria Domingos Rebelo (Azores, Portugal), Lykeio Aradippou (Aradippou, Cyprus), Ecole Europeenne D’Ixelles (Brussels, Belgium)] participated along with representatives from BOLT Virtual Services and the University of Piraeus Research Centre.
The latter presented the tools developed in the framework of the project with the help of I.R.T.E.A. More specifically,
-the Institute of Research & Training on European Affairs, which developed the Handbook on the thematics of the project
-BOLT Virtual Services and Productions, which developed the Virtual Reality Game
-the University of Piraeus Research Centre, which developed the Online MOOC Courses under Cerebrum.gr platform for distance Learning
This activity aimed to gather the teachers of the schools involved in the project prior to the implementation of the Multiplier Events and targeted to present the produced project’ results. During this activity, the teachers were exposed to the e-courses and the VR game and they understood how these digital tools work. The expertise involved in the development of these e-tools/platforms provided the teachers with valuable information and assistance regarding these tools while the teachers also got familiarized with the use of the Handbook and the Guides. The purpose of this activity was to fully prepare the teaching staff and boost their confidence on how to cope with the produced results and the students’ arising questions. Preparing the teachers in terms of tech-use and content-wise provided the project implementation and outcomes with added value and quality, since all participating teachers evaluated the material and results produced and provided us with valuable feedback that further developed the content to better reach peer and pupils’ needs.
During the Short Term Training, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the ERASMUS+ Programme and the benefits for their Schools to explore within this programme, but also the project was presented and they were given useful information and hints on how to use the results developed in their schools while also exploring future opportunities through the results developed. Special workshops were developed during the 4days event, though which the sustainability of the produced was extensively discussed and analyzed, with the participants proving fruitful feedback to the consortium.
Besides the evaluation, reflection and brainstorming during the activity, participants had the opportunity to also network and discuss about future steps during the Welcome Dinner hosted by I.R.T.E.A., but also during the cultural activities / meals arranged during the 4 days event.
The “VR in School Education & Civic Participation” project, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union for School Education, Key Action 2, Strategic Partnerships, through the State Scholarships Foundation – IKY (Hellenic National Agency), focuses on the exposition of teachers and students in education through a Virtual Reality Game. Main objective of this project is for the participants to upgrade and evolve their soft skills, broaden their knowledge and evolve a more critical thought.
For more information about the Project and the Event contact us at: vrinschool.erasmus@gmail.com, irtea.greece@gmail.com, +30 2130250217