Educating Talents (Erasmus+)
Project title: Erasmus+, KA220-VET – Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training Erasmus educating talents
Agreement: 2022-1-SE01-KA220-SCH-000088468
Project duration: 09/2022-08/2025
Project partners: Wallonie Bruxelles Enseignement Belgium Bruxelles http://www.w-b-e.be, APRECA www.apreca.net, Bildungsdirektion Oberösterreich Austria Oberösterreich Linz www.lsr-ooe.gv.at, Stichting Christelijk Regionaal Opleidingen Centrum Noord- ne, Oost Nederland Netherlands Groningen Groningen www.alfa-college.nl, Biznesa, mākslas un tehnoloģiju augstskola “RISEBA”
Latvia, EESPSCF L’Envol Belgium Prov. Liège Flemalle.
Description: The “Educating Talents” project addresses a critical issue in the European education landscape – support for talented learners (TL) who often underperform due to the lack of appropriate strategies for their inclusion in the classroom. This challenge is observed in various partner countries, where TL frequently find themselves disengaged in the traditional classroom setting. Lessons rarely stimulate or challenge them, leading to boredom, underperformance, and stress. Furthermore, collaboration around high-achieving students is often not a priority, and educators are frequently unaware of their unique needs.
In response to this issue, “Educating Talents” aims to equip educators with pedagogical models that enable TL to reach their full potential, taking into account their special needs. The project focuses on the inclusion of TL and explores how blended learning can enhance both inclusion and motivation. Its key objectives are to support educators in developing TL’s competencies, promote social inclusion, and foster a community of practice among European educators.
Key Objectives:
- Support educators in implementing pedagogical models to help TL reach their full potential.
- Support educators in promoting social inclusion for TL, including twice-exceptional learners.
- Facilitate the development of networks among European educators, fostering a Community of Practice.
- Develop an interactive eHandbook containing pedagogical models for TL support.
Methodology: The project leverages existing methods and practices from partner countries and enhances them to create universal models adaptable to different school systems across the EU. It involves research, testing, and modification of these models in various educational contexts. Additionally, it establishes a community of practice where educators and organizations can share experiences and insights.
Results and impact: The primary result of the project will be an interactive eHandbook comprising multimedia modules featuring strategies for educating talented high school students. This eHandbook will help educators effectively support TL, ensure their social inclusion, and facilitate their motivation through blended learning. The project’s impact is anticipated to extend to learners, educators, schools, and educational systems, fostering a more inclusive and innovative educational environment. Furthermore, the project’s results will be publicly accessible, promoting the widespread adoption of TL support strategies.
Target Groups:
- Teachers and educators in lower and upper secondary education.
- Talented learners (TL) who will benefit from improved teaching methods.
- Schools and their staff.
- Subject working groups in education.
- Educational systems and policymakers.
Innovation and added value: The project builds on existing best practices and combines them with educators’ input on practical implementation. Its focus on inclusion – both social and educational – sets it apart, and the involvement of twice-exceptional learners further enriches the models. By supporting educators, “Educating Talents” aims to improve the learning experiences of TL, reduce school dropout rates, and promote the mastery of basic skills. The emphasis on making results accessible and open ensures wide-reaching benefits across Europe.
Project Partnership: The project partnership was formed through informal discussions among Erasmus coordinators in Sweden and Belgium. Over time, the partnership expanded to include organizations from Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Latvia, each bringing unique expertise and resources to the project. The collaboration is a key factor in the project’s success as it enables the exchange of knowledge, practices, and insights from different school systems across Europe.Summary: “Educating Talents” is an innovative project designed to empower educators to better support talented learners and promote their social inclusion. By developing an interactive eHandbook, it provides a practical guide for educators to implement pedagogical models that help TL reach their full potential. The project addresses a shared issue in European education and seeks to create a community of practice to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among educators. Its comprehensive approach aims to improve the educational landscape for TL and reduce underperformance, school dropout rates, and the lack of basic skills mastery.