Summary Norway
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- Created on Thursday, 17 November 2016 09:35
- Written by Super User
ERASMUS+ “Small Towns in Europe – Sharing innovative Practices”
Topic: Why do I go to school?
Monday 26st of September – 1st of October 2016
The fourth meeting in the our project took place in Høyanger, Norway. All visiting students and teachers arrived Bergen by plane during Monday the 26th of September, and came to Høyanger by express boat the same evening. Prior to the meeting the guests and hosts where linked together through mail and social media, so they had had the chance to get to know each other a little up front. The travelling teachers had also been communicating prior to the meeting.
Monday 26st of September
The visitors all arrived at the same time and where met by their hosts at the boat-docking. The teachers were met by members of the staff at HVGS. Immediately after arriving, we met up at school for and evening meal together. A pot-luck prepared by the Norwegian students and an informal atmosphere to break the ice the first night.
Tuesday 27th of September
All students and teachers met up at school in the morning where the official welcome for the meeting and the program was presented. After a short break the students did some group work to get to know each other and have their first discussion conserving the topic. The teachers sat down for a talk about the week – expectations, changes and possible outcomes. At lunch-time everybody met up at the city-hall for a meeting with the mayor of Høyanger, Mr Petter Sortland.
In the afternoon the students had a “walk and talk” and ended up at school for some final work that day. The teachers where attending a guided citywalk. Both students and teachers had time for social activities in the evening – though not together.
Wednesday 28th of September
In cooperation with JA (Junior Achievement - Norway) and the companies of HYDRO and HAVYARD the students attended an innovation camp this day. The camp also included students from HVGS Electrical program (vocational studies). The camp took place in an empty factory building in a village nearby. This factory was a good setting for thinking innovative and entrepreneurial. The students worked with their given assignment(-s) in groups, and at the end of the day they presented their work for the others.
At the same time, in the same building, the teachers attended their session. This was a lecture held by Knut Roald (University College of Sogn & Fjordane) on the themes; The school of tomorrow. In addition to the lecture the teachers also discussed in groups; questions/statements the lecture holder presented. The discussions continued also the next day.
Lunch was made and presented by residents at Høyanger Center for Asylum seekers; Syrian, Somali, Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine, inspired the menu.
Thursday 29th of September
Back at school! The visiting students got the opportunity to attend classes at a Norwegian school. They followed their hosts and their schedules, and took part in everything from Norwegian class to mathematics and P.E. After lunch the students continued working in groups on the assignment given; What is it that motivates students in their learning and their choice of education,and how may this knowledge be used in the meeting between school and lesser motivated students? If you (again; think of THE STUDENT) are to “be the best you can be”, how may the teachers and school system help you? In other words; how can you recognize the good school?
Their work ended in an essay and a short presentation for the final day of the week.
The teachers continued working on the topic from the day before. Also we arranged a “sit-down” with the projectleader of HøyangerSkulen 8-13. This is a project where Høyanger Upper Secondary School (classes 10-13 / 1-3) and Høyanger Lower Secondary school (classes 8-10) are working together to ease transitions, improve subject-skills and benefit from an “extended” staff.
This session was a combination of a short informal lecture and discussion around the table.
In the evening, the group of teachers visited a nearby village and got an insight in how one might think innovatively around tourism, culture and history.
Friday 30th of September
Last day of the week – started with a lecture with Innovation Norway and their expectations for Europe of tomorrow. Once again the students were challenged in groups, this time under the questions; what skills do you need for your future? and what do you feel you master today that could be helpful tomorrow? (what are you good at?). This lecture and work was an eyeopener for many of the students, and highly appreciated as input within the topic. The day ended with a questionair summing up the weeks content and how it was organized. The results will be made public at the website.
The teachers visited a local factory, producing aluminum wheels for cars. This factory has gone through a major change through the last years. Going bankrupt after more than 30 years in business, and now once again entering the marked with new owners and a new product. Innovation and entrepreneurial thinking once again being keywords.
In the evening, the students had their last night together and farewell party, together with all the rest of the students at school. The teachers also finished of the week in an relaxed and informal setting.
Saturday 1st of October
Travelling home - the foreign delegations were brought to the boat docking and then travelled by boat to Bergen and flew back home to their countries. During the 3-hour boat trip the visiting students and teacher had the opportunity to further discuss and share thoughts and impressions from their days in Høyanger, Norway.
The week was completed with products (texts, pictures and questionaires) being gathered and made public through the project’s website www.smallcities.eu.
The project week was noticed both by local media, politicians and local businesses.
Norway - Outcome
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- Created on Saturday, 29 October 2016 13:03
- Written by Super User
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES: Hoyanger (Norway) Sept. 26th – Oct. 1st 2016
The main objective of this year´s stay in Hoyanger (Norway) was to find a
satisfactory answer to the question frequently raised by students, „Why do I
go to school?“ On the basis of students´ participation in lessons at Hoyanger
Vidaregaande Skule various aspects of teaching and learning were discussed
by teachers as well as students. The students shared their experiences and knowledge gained while attending lessons. One very important question
under discussion was: What is the teachers´ role when it comes to the transition from studies at school to worklife? Another focus was on evaluating
future opportunities on the European job market and the requirements to
find employment abroad. Opinions were also shared on the issue of education and learning being valuable goals in life as such regardless of possible employment oportunities. In addition, students tried to find reasons for
„dropping out“ from school – a topic considered as fairly urgent.
The students dealt with the topics in groups and workshops. Besides attending lessons and lectures at school they acquired first-hand experience while visiting Hoyanger Industrial Museum and the Innovation Camp, with a special focus on
problem solving and presenting possible solutions. In addition, students met
regional politicians to discuss the importance of education, the future job market and the relations to Europe as well as the European Union as a whole.
The teachers participating worked on ways of minimising the number of drop-outs at their respective schools. In their lectures and group work they also
elaborated on finding innovative ways of teaching using multimedia and
social media in their classrooms. Moreover, together with their students
they visited Hoyanger Industrial Museum and the company St. Jean Wheels,
one of the major employers in the town.
Prior to the meeting students and teachers prepared extensively for the topics under discussion. Back at their schools they summarized their experiences and
findings to be presented on return.
A week in the north - by Hanna Stockner and Kristina Mayrhofer
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- Created on Sunday, 23 October 2016 19:03
- Written by austria
A week in the North
With a queasy feeling (we were really curious about how this week would be going to be and if we would come along well with our hosts) we arrived at Hoyanger. At dinner in the school, we first met all of the other Erasmus participants and only after a few hours, we felt really welcomed and comfortable there.
Although KLM lost our suitcases and it rained the whole week, we had a fantastic time in Norway. It is always great to meet new people, to learn something about other countries and their culture. During this week we found out many similarities and differences between teenagers in Austria and teenagers in other countries.
We all agree, that we are really grateful for the opportunity to join this program and our rather interesting topic. We were glad that we had so much time to discuss our tasks and to get to know some details about the school system in Poland, Denmark, Germany, etc. Before that trip, we never thought about our intention of going to school this intensely. By dealing with the topic, we found things, which are good in the Austrian school system, but also some things which could be better. When you start to think about the school system briefly, you start on the one hand to appreciate the well advanced things. On the other hand you begin to wonder why some other things aren’t working properly.
We are really glad that we joined Erasmus and that we were allowed to go to Norway. If I ever get the chance again, I would definitely take it!