Output Title: The Learn4Earth Methodology & Approach (IO1)
Output Type: Methodologies / guidelines – Methodological framework for implementation
Start Date: 2020-10-01
End Date: 2023-07-31
Activity Leading Organisation: Aalborg University:
Description: The Learn4Earth Methodology & Approach IO will develop a framework platform from where the Learn4Earth interdisciplinary collaboration will take its point of departure with new and innovative teaching elements. The primary methods and approaches in the project will be hands-on activities, including the Sapere Method and Problem-based Learning, Holism, Hermeneutics and the concept of (Food) Scapes and assessment tools to develop, test and evaluate the project results and the project impact.
The overall approach of Learn4Earth is holistic. The holistic point of view wishes to see a certain target as a whole and all parts of the whole as interdependent to one another (Henderson 2014). Learn4Earth interpret food in schools as dependent on all the parts surrounding it, which is why the activities developed throughout the project will be transferable to as many school subjects as possible. Learn4Earth also combines the holistic view with the concept of the foodscape, as the concept of foodscape is used when relations between food, places and human beings are to be researched (Hedegaard 2015). Using this concept of methodology and approach as an overall frame during the project period creates the possibility of connecting the three sides of the Learn4Earth Learning Triangle – The Growing, The Lab and The Meal. All three areas can be referred to as different scapes, merged into one total Foodscape.
The Learn4Earth Methodology & Approach will implement a hermeneutic approach, as it creates the possibility for an all-around picture of influential factors impacting the pupils and their food actions, which thereby supports the holistic approach to Climate, Environment and Food the Learn4Earth project holds. By including a hermeneutic approach the project will also provide room for an iterative process, supporting the idea that all perceptions and points of departure are under constant development, through new knowledge.
During the Learning/Teaching/Training Activities, the Learn4Earth Methodology & Approach will present, discuss and evaluate the methods and approaches at internal workshops, providing the Learn4Earth partners with new methodologies and approaches to implement and test in their respective innovative activities during the Learn4Earth project period. Further, these workshops are designed to include a sharing of best practices as the project comes along, and will, therefore, function as an iterative process of constant development, implementation, test and evaluation to improve the innovative actions and activities continuously ensuring quality assurance.
The Learn4Earth project will focus on both theoretical and practical learning methods and approaches applicable for all project partners, as several studies have shown that practical
hands-on activities affect motivation and engagement, especially in children (Carlsen 2011). The hands-on activities will be new and unique elements of innovation e.g. the development of hands-on activities for teachers and pupils outside their usual learning spaces, to provide an extra and unique level to their learning. The teachers and pupils from each partner school will participate in unique new and innovative workshops in Restaurant Alchemist’s Taste Lab in Denmark and in the Pollenzo Food Lab in University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo in Italy. The methodological chronology will be:
1) Learning theory and doing practical hands-on activities in schools
2) Visiting professional food experts e.g. chefs, food historians etc. to test activities
3) Returning to school using and sharing new learning and hands-on activities
The Learn4Earth Methodology & Approach IO will provide the partners with new skills, applicable in their professional life, thereby enhancing their learning skills and abilities, and will impact both professionals and pupils, as both target groups will benefit with new innovative teaching and learning approaches, motivating and creating engagement on a new level. The IO will publish the educational material and include instructions and how-to guides in an online format at the project website www.learn4earth.eu. The material will also be implemented in the final Learn4Earth Handbook to disseminate the methods and approaches for others to advantage from. The iterative process of development, implementation, test and evaluation will be consistent throughout the Learn4Earth period.
Finally, the Learn4Earth will be additive by developing, implementing, testing and evaluating new and innovative hands-on activities on a theoretical basis in European research institutions and in practice in European schools. Learn4Earth will be creating collaborations across different disciplines that will result in a cooperated workforce, developing teacher manuals to disseminate the project findings and result in the final Learn4Earth Handbook, thereby securing the project transferability.