Knowing me - Knowing EU

ended

87% of 15-30 year olds in Ireland consider that ‘learning about EU matters, such as the functioning of the EU and its institutions, EU history or European culture, should be part of compulsory school education’ (Flash Eurobarometer 455). Yet, EU affairs are sparsely present in the curriculum. Very few teachers feel confident enough to tackle the subject in class due to their lack of understanding of the structures and roles of the European Union. This project will focus on primary and post-primary levels (ISCED 1-3). It develops teaching material and Continuing Professional Development courses: • Teaching material at post-primary level on a dedicated website, over 3 years: o Junior Cycle – Civic, Social and Political Education – Themed teaching material developed with post-primary board and experts – Integrated eTwinning projects created as part of teaching material. (100 teachers). o Transition Year: 6-hour programme including a 2-hour core and a choice of themes. ETwinning projects created as part of teaching material (200 teachers) o Senior cycle - Politics and Society – focus on multi-level decision-making as well as the EU’s diversity. (110 Teachers) • CPD courses, over 3 years: o Primary level: Based on the programme My Big Friendly Guide to the European Union (BFGTOEU), a CPD course will be delivered face-to-face and on-line – 20 hours. (500 teachers). CPD course focusing on teaching on the EU through Art, delivered by the Glucksman Gallery (150 teachers) o Post-primary level: Face-to-face and online CPD courses, foundational and themed (300 teachers) CPD courses focusing on the pedagogy of agonistic deliberation in the teaching of EU studies. (150 teachers) This project develops teaching and training material, which is engaging, teacher-friendly, grounded in the latest academic debates, using ICT for transnational collaborative learning.