ERASMUS + Development of entrepreneurial competencies for youths
Context and goals
The European Union has recognised ‘the initiative and entrepreneurial spirit’ as one of eight key competencies for lifelong learning being that it is fundamental for personal fulfilment and development, to the promotion of social inclusion, active citizenship and employment. There is a growing belief amongst politicians, researchers and educationalists that education needs to equip children with the mindset that will prepare them for the challenges they will face in the future, and the development of entrepreneurial competencies is one of the principal ones. According to the European Commission (2012, p.2) teachers are identified as ‘pivotal agents of change in making entrepreneurship education more widely available in schools today’, and, how can you make it real at your school? Entrepreneurship competencies combine creativity, a sense of initiative, problem-solving, the ability to marshal resources, and financial and technological knowledge and which this course you will be capable of teaching these skills to your students. A sense of initiative and entrepreneurship is the ability to turn ideas into action through creativity, innovation, and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects. It is a key competence that can be developed from primary school to secondary and beyond. Format: in-campus intensive. Duration: Five-day course.
Overall pedagogical aims
The main objective of the theoretical and practical course is to prepare participants to work effectively with different special needs: • •
To train and empower teachers to foster the sense of initiative and the entrepreneurial mindset of their students by developing innovative and creative attitudes and skills Understanding the importance of fostering a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mindset in students and pupils
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Exploring the different aspects that entrepreneurial learning covers, and the different areas of applicability (from personal development to active participation in society, to entering or re-entering the job market to starting new professional or personal ventures) Learning how to prepare students for entering the job market, and how to provide them with the social and entrepreneurial skills needed
By the end of the course shadowing participants will have a substantial understanding of different characteristics and consequences for learning. They will also practice to use evidence-based practices to provide effective interventions and explore typical strengths and weaknesses of individuals. Target audience: This course is for those teachers, who want to improve their working style and expand it into inclusive education. Primary and secondary school teachers, educators and other professionals who are interested in investigating on special education within classrooms and its potential assets and methodologies.
Modules’ description
Module 1: DEFINING ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION ✓ What is entrepreneurship education? ✓ Implications … a new role for teachers ✓ The entrepreneurial teach ✓ Delivering entrepreneurship education Module 2: ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGES ✓ Entrepreneurial skills ✓ Understanding the business plan and business models ✓ Creating, finding and pursuing business opportunities.
Module 3: DESIGNING ACTIVITIES FOR STIMULATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP ✓ How do I embed entrepreneurial education in my classroom? ✓ Activities that trigger entrepreneurial competencies ✓ Teaching and practising elevator pitch ✓ Schools and Good Practice
Methodology The course will base on learning by experience and addressing practical and real day-to-day cases and situations. The teacher (a trained professional therapist and coach) will support trainees and will help them in dealing with any kind of issue that may arise during the learning process. The teacher will also provide feedback and encourage participation in each person’s own style and capacity.
The teacher will perform an individualized follow-up to ensure that all participants are engaged and motivated to acquire and develop the techniques and new professional skills that the course offer equip them with. The course evaluation will thus be continuous and personalized, according to the course program. Participants to this workshop will learn how to create an atmosphere in which students and teachers like to learn and grow together as an educational community. ➢ Presentation with audio-visual support ➢ Debate ➢ Practical and pedagogical exercises ➢ Role-play