On 14 October 2024, YWIS project partners met online to plan the structure and content of two upcoming e-learning courses designed to strengthen youth work in schools. The meeting brought together Yannis Pechtelidis, Marita Mattila, Beatriz Ribeiro, and Ioannis Kozaris to align the pedagogical approach, define partner responsibilities, and decide on the technical framework.
Two Complementary Courses
The partners agreed to develop two distinct but interconnected courses:
- Youth Work in Schools – covering theoretical foundations, including the history of youth work, social science perspectives, youth work ethos, and its application in school contexts.
- Methodologies of Youth Work – focusing on practical implementation through case studies and interactive exercises.
The first course will consist of four lessons, while the second will feature a similar number of lessons, each addressing practical topics such as sustainable development, community building, wellbeing, and democracy education. Both courses will incorporate multimedia content, quizzes, and interactive elements to increase learner engagement.
Shared Responsibilities
Each partner will contribute based on their expertise to ensure diverse and comprehensive course content:
- Finland: Youth work ethos and strengthening community.
- Estonia: Non-formal learning and wellbeing.
- Greece: Social sciences background and democracy education.
- Portugal: Historical perspectives and sustainable development.
The consortium agreed to follow a common structure across both courses, with a focus on the core competences of youth workers and quality methodologies in school youth work.
Platform Selection and Timeline
Moodle was discussed as the primary option for hosting the courses due to its open-access nature, although some concerns were raised about registration complexity. Alternatives, including a standalone Moodle installation, will be investigated to ensure user-friendly access and long-term sustainability.
Partners will collect and upload materials by 6 November 2024, after which the shared content will be reviewed collaboratively through Google Docs. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled to finalise the course structure and confirm the platform choice.