Summary Norway
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- Created on Thursday, 17 November 2016 09:35
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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.