What textbooks, what way of teaching needs modern vocational and professional education, especially in the field of mechanical engineering, was the theme of the first introductory expert consultation and round table for teachers in the framework of the Project Academy for Combined Learning. The expert consultation took place on 12.10. 2022, live and online.
There is a noticeable need for different teaching
The participants in the consultation agreed that there was a noticeable need for different teaching, different teaching methods, different textbooks. Similar challenges are also shown in other segments of professional education. Without learning how students and students should learn, it’s not going to work. Rapid changes in the market require rapid changes in textbooks, teaching methods, as well as ways of learning.
If the deficit professions want to get even closer to students and students, as well as, of course, to the needs of the economy, a quick reaction is needed.
How to empower students and students with the right competences?
If it is to be possible for students to be ready and able to work independently, on their own initiative when entering the labour market, if it is well needed that, according to projections, deficit occupations will be needed by 2050, it is high time that it reacted quickly.
As part of the Project Academy for Combined Learning, which is co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, the project partners will also explore and prepare digital materials (the Guardian of the CSR will explore and prepare digital materials, explore the skills needs of students and teachers). The project runs from June to April 2024.
Who were present at the expert consultation?
The professional consultation involved the principals of professional schools, teachers, students and project partners, The Rokus Klett Publishing House, the GZS Centre for Business Training, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Lj., the Centre for Vocational Training, the School Centre Novo Mesto. Gyldendale publishing house in Norway is also taking part in the project, where they already have many good practices on how to adapt teaching materials, teaching, as well as just learning, especially in the field of mechanical engineering.
Main highlights of the consultation:
- The learning materials that will be created under the project will be adapted for teaching purposes with modern methods and will be available free of charge to all potential users.
- Dr Boris Dular, President of the Expert Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational and Technical Education, stressed that we should always be in everything ahead of time, but at least in a stream with time and needs. For certain programs, we do not yet have modern textbooks, especially not digitally supported. What we do know is that quality knowledge is not without quality textbooks. Representatives of educational institutions stressed that pupils are observed with a lack of competence, such as team work, critical thinking, focus, perseverance, belief in success.
- The participants were happy to note that the project is an opportunity to change the situation and to improve together.
Round table for principals and teachers
- After the introductory consultation, there was a round table with a discussion led by mag. Jelka Miranda Razpotnik, Rokus Klett and was primarily intended for the assembled principals and teachers of secondary engineering schools. We wanted to get a broader opinion and also an exchange of opinions about the current situation in the teaching of professional subjects in high school mechanical engineering programs. At the same time, we wanted to challenge the present principals and teachers to analyze or reflection on the necessary knowledge, experience, skills and challenges in the future, both for students and for teachers.
- A combined teaching model was presented, on which the creation of new interactive materials planned in the project is based.
Finish
- The consultation concluded with the promise that we will help everyone, not only the project partners involved in the project, but also present, to help to achieve the results. We will inform each other, share good practices, suggest what teaching materials to develop. How to get closer to students and students to enter the labour market, when they finish their education, to be empowered by the knowledge that the economy needs. The results, however, will be possible not only in the mechanical engineering segment, but also more broadly.
