ACT-ive LEARN-ing is promoted by: ThinkEurope Consulting

A group of professionals who operate in the area of design, management and evaluation of European Union funded actions, offering consultation, training as well as practical support on EU project and activities.

Further information can be found on www.thinkeuropeconsulting.eu

ACT-ive LEARN-ing is addressed to:

Teachers and other educational staff involved in adult education in formal and informal sectors.

The Course

Objectives

Theatre is a way in to the exploration of many different aspects of a subject.  It provides an outlet for self-expression and helps development of imagination and social awareness, co-operation and listening, communication skills and improvisation. Through drama games, role play and improvisation pupils gain awareness, fluency of speech, self-knowledge, self-respect, discipline and self-confidence and a different opportunity to learn how to interact with others (and their teacher!). Drama skills  helps develop orderly thinking and organisational skills and  improve  physical and verbal coordination   In  schools there are many ways drama can be linked with a variety of lessons. Pupils who have learning differences and/or are struggling academically often excel in creative skills and thus  gain self esteem as well as a better understanding of the classroom material when drama is involved.

Over 2,000 years ago the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, regarded theatre as “uniquely suited to educate”…it still is…

Thus, the primary focus of the course will be to train teachers and teacher trainers in theatre techniques which they can then easily apply to enliven and benefit any school class – whether it’s a language, history or even a science class.  Teachers would be trained how to conduct a variety of theatre/drama games and exercises which would improve classroom interaction, as well as aiding  pupils’ memory, social skills, imagination and self confidence.

Theatre games develop skills  which are essential in all school subjects - and which will benefit the pupil  in all areas of school, career and everyday social interactions.  We will explore the benefits of theatre games as a teaching tool and use Greek mythology to provide us with a rich creative source with which to trigger the imagination whilst sharpening learning skills.

By the end of the course teachers and teacher trainers will have a wide resource of  theatre/drama games and exercises to draw on with which to enliven their classroom and enrich their lessons. They will also have learnt how to create and direct improvisations, re-enactments, scripts and  theatre projects and how to monitor trust and relaxation exercises.

Above all learning through drama is fun!

Methodology

Learning through drama is fun and should be fun. Therefore, the methodology of the course will be focused on the practical and active learning of drama and theatre games. Participants will be dynamically involved in the learning process by practically implementing, testing and experiencing the tools and the games which are taught during the course. The group of participants will be considered as a learning instrument where the testing and implementation of the learned skills will be activated.

All new contents will be introduced by a short theoretical foreword so as to allow teachers and teachers trainers to put the learnt tool into the proper historic, didactic and artistic frame of reference.

Discussion, active participation,  the sharing of experiences and constant evaluation of the feasibility of the learnt  tools will be an integral part of this course.

Last but not least, since one of the goals of this course is to create confidence and well-being amongst the school pupils, particular care will also be given to the participant’s personal comfort and training climate of this course. The environment (the wonderful Vlichòs area on the island of Hydra) and logistic location (use of outdoor studios and theatre spaces) will definitely help to achieve this goal, but particular care will  also be given by means of training activities which will create comfort, personal ease and mental well-being. This will be achieved on a general level by caring for good social relations  through creating  a good social atmosphere and  providing social events through creating a good social atmosphere and providing social events and, within the didactic program, by means of introduction exercises in each session, such as relaxation and warm-up activities, etc

Preparation

Participants are not required to have any previous theatre/drama skills or knowledge but a desire to learn  a methodology for transferring didactic pedagogical knowledge through theatre and drama . The course takes place in Greece -  the country where the concept of theatre as education began 2,500 years ago…and in a setting which replicates theatre’s origins.

We expect that the majority of participants who join this course will not be “drama specialists”, but teachers in all fields who want to explore the value of theatre devices as an authentic part of school activities in developing fluency and richness of ideas and words, encouraging expressiveness and confidence and bringing children/adults into educational activity in a way not normally found in the classroom..

On the www.thinkeuropeconsulting.eu web site a special section will be activated where the participants will find:

•         All the necessary documents and information of this training course

•         A help desk to file the necessary papers and application for the grant

•         Links where a small bibliography can be found so as to be able to read basic (non mandatory) text to introduce themselves to the art of theatre and drama and its use within didactic contexts.

Participants will receive a fact sheet detailing the Greek island location of Hydra – an island an hour from Athens and unique in the fact that no motorised transport is allowed.

Follow-up

It is a strong desire on behalf of the organisers to shape, with all the training participants, a stable group of interest which can share, exchange and promote knowledge, experiences and skills amongst themselves and to other teachers and colleagues in their countries. Thus, the aim is also to transform the participants’ group into a virtual learning community on the use of theatre and drama games within the didactic activities; a community where the sharing and exchange can be practiced via web or e-mails.

For this reason the trainers will be available (through e-mail list serve) for advice on implementing the material provided during the course in their classes as well as to provide further suggestions for student activity/materials.

Finally, the evaluation of the training programme will also lay the foundations for further possible trainings to be offered and implemented by Hydrama for teachers and teacher trainers in a twofold way: developing the course by means of an “advanced” training, or deepening one or two specific contents (sessions) which this proposal develops. This will give the chance for the trainees to follow up in the future with their learning on theatre and drama applied in schools as well as to strengthen the relationship with the new born virtual community.

Daily Programme

Before each activity there will be a brief outline of  its objective. At the end of each activity we will discuss whether and how the objectives were achieved and  in which class subjects/contexts it can be useful…

Classes will be conducted in outdoor studio and theatre spaces and will revolve around allowing a siesta/time off in the hottest part of the day  and  will finish in time to watch the spectacular Hydra sunsets…before supper . Breakfast will be provided as self-service and lunch and dinner will be served at 2pm and 9pm.
On Monday morning and Thursday evening there will be boat trips to /from the town of Hydra as part of the course.

Training sessions are scheduled as follows:

Monday 6th September

• Session 1 (9.00-12.00)    
• Session 2 (18.00-20.30)
• Welcome & Introductory talk
• Origins of theatre as education
• Basics of Greek culture, language and island living
• Boat trip  and tour of Hydra town. Lunch in town
• “Circle” games – these are games which involve the whole group sitting in a circle and  which improve group dynamics ,bringing the group together as a cohesive unit
• Ice-breakers
• Warm up exercises (verbal & non verbal)

Tuesday 7th September

Session 1 (9.00 –13.00)  

Session 2 (18.00- 20.30)  

(For most of today’s activities participants will work in pairs)

• Encounters/greetings (verbal and non-verbal)
• Mental  agility games
• Verbal agility games (word tennis & tongue twisters)
• Games to improve concentration and memory
• Games to improve senses and awareness of space
• Relaxation/trust exercises
•  

Wednesday 8th September

Session 1 (9.00-1300)

Session 2 (18.00-20.30)

(We will be splitting up into small groups and observing each other)

• Approaching Improvisation
• Creating scenarios
• Improvisations -  using everyday scenarios, such as waiting rooms, bus stops, shopping trips ..family situations
• Improvisations continued – imaginary scenarios
• Working with learning and language differences
• Working with physically and mentally disabled

Thursday 9th September

Session 1 (9.00-13.00)   

Session 2 (18.00 – 20.30)

• Greek dance lesson
• Using Greek myths/fables and gods to spark creativity
• Developing material through improvisation
• Creating scripts and plays through improvisational work
• Creating historical & social re-enactments and historical characters
• Role play & Character work (real, historical and fictional)
• Who am I?
• Boat trip to Hydra town
• Dinner/music in town

Friday 10th September

Session 1 (9.00-13.00)

Session 2 (18.00-21.00)

• Useful tools for classroom drama
• Using Greek myths and fables contd.
• Use of masks
  Which god/hero am I?
• Working on project/presentations (with trainers)
• Presentation of projects
• Final evaluation and discussion/summary of course
• Buffet/dinner/BBQ/dance/music

Trainers will be on site and available until Sunday

Training language

We want to underline that although the training language and all written material will be in English the “unofficial” language is our body and action within the frame of drama.

The trainers

Corinna Seeds:

Has been a theatre director and drama instructor since 1973. Trained with the Theatre Workshop in London, E.15. She was the founder and director of the Stirabout Theatre in London for over ten years and Associate director/actress with the Greek Arts Theatre (Theatre Technis) in London.  She received a Churchill Fellowship and numerous awards from the Arts Council of Great Britain, regional arts associations, the Lankelly and Guilbenkian Foundations for her theatre work in institutions.  She founded and runs HYDRAMA, an arts centre for the promotion of theatre and dance in Hydra, Greece where she has lived since 1988. She has taught in numerous universities, schools and conferences and run workshops for teachers in  America, Greece and the U.K.

Stathis Grapsas:

Director and actor with the National Theatre of Greece for seven years performing in major European cities as well as the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Trained in Australia and Athens. He also runs drama workshops with university and school students and disadvantaged youth groups in Europe and Australia. Participated in the Theatre Olympics in Moscow with the Attis Theatre Company with whom he is currently touring.

Maureen O’Farrell:

Maureen is an award winning TV and film actress who has a deep commitment to education. Educated at Kingston-upon-Hull College of Art [Dip in Art and Design], Dartington College of Arts [Dip in Drama and Dance Performance], Rolle College of Education [Professional Teaching Qualification in Drama, Dance and English] and the University of London [SOAS Social Anthropology]. As head of the Drama Department, in three inner London comprehensive schools, she led cross curriculum and anthropology of education seminars. She has taught all age groups in schools, colleges and privately throughout her career. 

Overall costs

The attendance of the course costs 1.200 € which includes training (from 5/9 to 10/9), food and lodging and scheduled boat trips.

Other useful information

Vlichòs and the island of Hydra

The training  location is on the Greek  Saronic island of Hydra, which is just over an hour from the Athens port of Pireus by hydrofoil.

With its monasteries, the mansions in white stone, the pretty beaches and clear-blue waters, the famous people who lived there (from Henry Miller to Leonard Cohen), and the complete absence of cars and even bicycles  Hydra remains  untouched in its historical and natural beauty.

How to get to Hydra and Vlychos

 The nearest airport is Athens (ATH).  Express coaches (X96) leave from the airport at regular intervals for the port of Pireus (a 40 mins.) and from the port there are regular hydrofoil services to Hydra. (70 mins). For timetable and and booking see www.hellenicseaways.gr. You will be met on arrival at Hydra and taken to Vlychos, a 5 minute boat trip from the main town of Hydra. There will be a welcome pack and dinner. Once flight arrival times are known participants will be given individual arrival recommendations.

The accommodation fee includes

Meals:  Breakfast is self-service (yoghurt, honey, bread, fruit, juice, eggs, tea/coffee, milk). Bottled mineral water is freely available throughout the course. Lunch and dinner are served and freshly prepared daily using a varied Greek cuisine. Wine will be served with lunch and dinner (Spirit drinks or extra wine are not included but can be ordered separately). Vegetarianism can easily be catered for.

• 6 Breakfasts (from Monday 6^th of September to Saturday 11^th of September)

• 5 lunches (from Monday 6^th  of September to Friday 10^th of September)

• 6 dinners (from  Sunday  5^th of September to Friday 10^th  of September)

No reduction or refund is provided in case of absence from one or more meals.

Accommodation : (pension style)  is for six nights (arrival : Sunday 5^th September  Departure Saturday 11^th September) in twin room or  two large triple rooms  in local villas by the sea. In case of a shorter stay no reduction or refund is provided. Linen, beach & bath towels are provided and changed once during the course. Basic toiletries (soap/toothpaste   shampoo/conditioner, etc.) and  electric fans  are provided for each participant.  Sitting rooms, kitchens and bathrooms will be shared  by a maximum of four (same gender) people to each bathroom).

To obtain the scholarship !!

1. Together with this information brochure we also send you the pre-registration form.
2. As soon as possible, and in any case before the 30th of April 2010, you have to submit the form to your National Socrates Agency in order to be given the school-ship grant (please look for all information, instructions and the application form through your National Socrates Agency; the list of the Agencies and their related websites are available on the web-page
   http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/nat-est_en.html
3. When you receive the answer from your National Socrates Agency, please send us an email immediately:
   • If the answer is negative your pre-registration request will be cancelled.
   • If the answer is positive we will send you the instructions for the payment of the deposit (and later on for the settlement) of the registration and accommodation fee.
   
   We reserve the right to cancel the ACT-ive LEARN-ing Course in the unlikely event of the number of participants not reaching the 12 unit minimum. If so, we will inform you immediately so as to allow you to use the Socrates grant for another European course.
   
   Payments
   After having received a positive answer from your National Socrates Agency you should immediately deposit a total amount of 200 € through bank transfer so to be definitely eligible to participate to the course. For this amount of money as well as for the whole fee you will pay for you will be given a regular receipt.
   The remaining part of the fee has to be paid by the 15th of July 2010 in order to obtain the final registration certificate.
   Bank transfer costs will be your liability!
   
   Cancellation fee
   In case of cancellation, the deposit of 200 € euros is not refundable.
   Please, remember that Grundtvig grant holders may not use grant funds to cover costs arising from cancellation of their attendance unless this is due to “force majeure” (certified serious illness or death of a close relative only).
   

CONTACT

Reference person for registration

Alessandro CARBONE

+30 694 8071363      +30 210 9843784

carbone@thinkeuropeconsulting.eu