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A continental look at today's youth

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Claire O'Gallagher Claire O'Gallagher | 15:04 UK time, Friday, 19 November 2010

We're getting increasingly acquainted with the language of - developing global citizens, cross curricular projects and the like. Some people, though, are simply ahead of the game. One such initiative that's been running for a number of years is the , funded by the .

There are several different ways for schools, colleges and local authorities to get involved with the project and start opening up connections with European counterparts. We were lucky enough to be visited by a group of college lecturers and teachers this week - some who work five minutes away from our building here in Glasgow, but they brought along their partners from Italy and Belgium.

The groups have come together to work on a media project reflecting European Youth Culture. Their students will make films based on common issues for young people, including health, environment, families and friendships. What's hoped is that this will build an interesting picture of the similarities and differences between young people in the three countries taking part. As Fred Hannah, lecturer at points out, 'it's a project about youth, by youth'. Active learning? Tick. Media literacy? Tick. Learner at the centre? Tick.


pictures of the visitors at Pacific Quay

The Comenius group's visit to Pacific Quay in Glasgow.

The Glasgow contingent taking part are on the NC Media course at Cardonald College, and as this is a two-year project it's hoped that they will continue working with their European partners through their HNC too. In making their films they'll be learning specific media skills but they'll also be developing personal skills like communication and teamwork - and as they'll be talking to each other via Skype and posting reflective blog posts, that ticks another big box - ICT.

It strikes me that more Scottish schools could be involved in this project - or, alternatively, begin smaller scale projects along the same lines. The fact that students from three different countries are involved here isn't the real heart of the matter, it's that they are learning about each other whilst developing their skills. Could we in Scotland use to create similar projects, perhaps connecting mainland and island schools, or non-denominational and faith schools through film-making? I'm sure some teachers will be leading on this already - but it could become a real centrepiece, drawing so many curriculum areas together. I'd be delighted to hear of any examples going on in Scotland at the moment, and I only hope that Cardonald's Comenius work inspires even more.

For another example of Comenius in action, have a look at - one of the schools involved is in Stirling.


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