Roundtable discussion

On 28 May, a roundtable discussion with participants from the last CPD-course took place. It was a final digital meeting with the teachers who significantly shaped the course over the last eight months. The discussion was used to reflect on the experiences and changes the course brought about.

We learned from the educators that they are paying more attention to the cross-cutting issues in the classroom and have made efforts to integrate many of the the course’s learning content into their teaching. For example, one teacher reported trying to use Project-Based Learning to engage students in projects involving community service, local government, or social issues. This hands-on approach makes learning about democracy and citizenship more practical and impactful.

In addition to discussing the changes which were regarding to the participating teachers we also addressed possible barriers and challenges that make participating in the CPD course difficult. One of the biggest challenges in participating in the course is aligning the course times with the daily routine in school.

Solutions have been identified for certain issues, such as the suggestion to employ translators or to conduct more, specific asynchronous parts of the course, like portfolio work, in the participants’ native languages. However, for other areas, such as the recognition of the course in certain countries, the issues would need to be addressed at an institutional level, too. It is essential to engage relevant institutions to find effective solutions and ensure broader acceptance among teachers.

Further results of the roundtable meeting were that the regulations regarding professional development, including its recognition and certification in various countries, were a topic of discussion for a long time. It has become apparent that not all countries designate specific days for professional development

Overall, it was a successful event where we gained valuable insights into how the CPD course has influenced their teaching practices.