Last
week I was given the opportunity to embark on the Erasmus+ funded Train the
Inspiring Trainer course in Cyprus offered by ILC (Inspired Learning Centre).
Before I begin to share my experiences here is a little background information about the Erasmus+ programme.
The Erasmus Programme (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a European Union (EU) student exchange programme established in 1987.
The old Erasmus programme focused on student and staff mobility between universities whereas the new Erasmus+ launched in 2014 is the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. Many of the initiatives are based on opportunities for students and recent graduates. Funding is also available to assist teachers, lecturers and non-academic staff to develop their skills in schools, universities, colleges and adult education environments around Europe via job shadowing, teaching and training activities.
Before I begin to share my experiences here is a little background information about the Erasmus+ programme.
The Erasmus Programme (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a European Union (EU) student exchange programme established in 1987.
The old Erasmus programme focused on student and staff mobility between universities whereas the new Erasmus+ launched in 2014 is the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. Many of the initiatives are based on opportunities for students and recent graduates. Funding is also available to assist teachers, lecturers and non-academic staff to develop their skills in schools, universities, colleges and adult education environments around Europe via job shadowing, teaching and training activities.
It is a
fantastic opportunity to network with people within your field to learn, share
practices, as well as build relations with an institution from a different
educational system. Erasmus+ can provide funding for your trip by contributing
towards the cost of travel and expenses for your programme whether it is a
couple of days or a couple of months.
Currently
Erasmus+ covers the following 32 countries in Europe outside the UK:
Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Macedonia, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Turkey.
Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Macedonia, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Turkey.
Leading up to my visit I researched the various programmes offered
by institutions across Europe via the Erasmus+ route to find a suitable
programme. I found the staffmobility.eu website a useful starting point that
provided a good insight of how broad the programme was offering flexibility
such as by country, language, or target group.
I then established a programme called Train the Inspiring Trainer
course offered by ILC inspired Learning Centre in collaboration with Lifelong Learning Association in
Cyprus, which I felt was
suitable for me given my current role involves delivering a substantial amount
of training.
What interested me most about the course was the course delivery methodology was based on providing maximum practice and feedback with minimum amount of theory. The course delivered a 3 day one to one training, including a day’s excursion to Pathos and a day off to explore Cyprus. Here are ILC’s aims for the course:
What interested me most about the course was the course delivery methodology was based on providing maximum practice and feedback with minimum amount of theory. The course delivered a 3 day one to one training, including a day’s excursion to Pathos and a day off to explore Cyprus. Here are ILC’s aims for the course:
- Provide
opportunity to reflect on what does it mean to be a “good trainer”
- Raise
awareness of supportive and limiting beliefs and how they affect
performance
- Build
in the participants awareness of their own beliefs related to being a
trainer
- Build
in the participants awareness of their own strengths
- Raise
trainers’ ability to create supportive learning environment
- Introduce
mind expansion techniques to tap into creative force of the mind
- Enhance
the understanding of feedback as motivational factor and provide practical
tools for giving constructive feedback
- Improve
the educators ability to include play and laugh in their sessions
- Enhance
public speaking capacity
- Boost
in the participants their motivation and passion for teaching
- Provide
tools for trainer’s optimal self-care
- Provide
techniques for improved trainer-learners communication
- Enhance
confidence in the participants
- Expand
paradigm of a trainer and hence allow the participants to engage in new
creative ways of teaching
- Provide
opportunity to give and receive feedback from other participants
- International
dialogue and exchange of experiences and resources
I found the trainer well organised and very efficient in answering
all my queries promptly whether it was regarding the course or the best way to
travel from the airport to the hotel, which was reassuring.
Once I decided that this was the right course for me, I then enquired how I could apply for funding. I followed standard process in applying internally within my institution where I was required to complete an application form in order to receive additional funding to cover all the costs associated with the course which included 1090EUR for the course fees, accommodation (half board) between the Erasmus and the internal staff development funding.
After the funding had been authorised I booked myself onto the course and was sent pre-course material which included a list of study materials along with details of other relevant content of the course available on the Internet.
I was provided a handbook with material
that will be covered during the duration of the course and was shown the training
room which was conveniently within the hotel.Once I decided that this was the right course for me, I then enquired how I could apply for funding. I followed standard process in applying internally within my institution where I was required to complete an application form in order to receive additional funding to cover all the costs associated with the course which included 1090EUR for the course fees, accommodation (half board) between the Erasmus and the internal staff development funding.
After the funding had been authorised I booked myself onto the course and was sent pre-course material which included a list of study materials along with details of other relevant content of the course available on the Internet.
As I was the only attendee, the trainer was able to tailor the content more
towards my needs and allowed a good opportunity to receive greater feedback on
my practices.
Here is a list of some areas that was covered during the course:
Here is a list of some areas that was covered during the course:
- Relaxation
techniques to create optimal learning state
- What
does it mean to be a good teacher/trainer?
- What
do you love about being a teacher/trainer?
- Understanding
and utilizing different learning styles
- Understanding
interpersonal differences and group dynamics
- The
importance of teacher’s self care
- Generating
different states in the learners (e.g playful, focused, reflective, active
etc.)
- How
to give and receive feedback
- Handling ‘difficult learners’
Wednesday 23rd March I was taken for day excursion to see the archaeological sites, visit Aphrodite's rock and then finishing off the day by going to the tourist area in Pathos for a nice lunch by the sea. I found this a great opportunity to get to see the sights of Cyprus as well as getting to know Karolina better.
For the final day I was asked to either deliver a presentation or workshop so feedback can be provided and areas of improvement can be discussed.
Using my tablet I decided to deliver a 30min workshop on how to create an interactive online board called Padlet to Aga and Karolina.
I received really positive feedback on my workshop which was reassuring to hear that from another experienced trainer.
For the final day I was asked to either deliver a presentation or workshop so feedback can be provided and areas of improvement can be discussed.
Using my tablet I decided to deliver a 30min workshop on how to create an interactive online board called Padlet to Aga and Karolina.
I received really positive feedback on my workshop which was reassuring to hear that from another experienced trainer.
I would like to say a big thank you to both Karolina Gladych and Agnieszka Nowosadecka for a wonderful time in Cyprus.
For more information about the Erasmus+ programme please visit - www.erasmusplus.org.uk
Useful place to find programmes being offered - staffmobility.eu
ILC inspired Learning Centre in collaboration with Lifelong Learning Association - llpcyprus.eu
For more information about the Erasmus+ programme please visit - www.erasmusplus.org.uk
Useful place to find programmes being offered - staffmobility.eu
ILC inspired Learning Centre in collaboration with Lifelong Learning Association - llpcyprus.eu
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