Innovative learning through real life situations

Learning mathematics in a restaurant, history in a museum, and biology in a beauty parlour are some of the examples of Productive Learning - an innovative way of learning that combines general education with individual vocational orientation.

In Productive Learning students learn using experiences gained during practical placements chosen by the young people themselves, and use skills and knowledge acquired through general education to determine and understand their activities in real life social situations. In schools and projects that use the method, teachers also support students by forming an autonomous and independent educational process.

Frances Agius and Lorraine Calleja, two school counsellors from the Guidance and Counselling Services of the Education Division, recently attended a seminar held at the Institute of Productive Learning in Europe (IPLE) in Berlin, to learn what Productive Learning is all about.

All the seminar participants worked in the field of general education and with young people who are in conflict with the traditional school system or who are at risk of dropping out from the educational system. They came from Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania and Germany apart from Malta.

Participants visited Productive Learning projects in Berlin and learnt more about the International Network of Productive Learning Projects and Schools (INEPS).

The Education Division and the European Union Programmes Unit (EUPU) through Comenius 2.2 in-service training grants supported the Maltese delegates' participation in this enriching experience.