Excellence Boost Jobshadowing in Slovakia
Excellence Boost Jobshadowing Week: International Experience in Ružomberok
During the week of 14 to 18 October 2024, an international jobshadowing meeting took place in Ružomberok, Slovakia, bringing together educators, experts and partners from various countries to exchange experiences and good practices within the framework of the Excellence Boost project. Organised by the Catholic University of Ružomberok (CU), the event provided an immersion in Slovak culture, innovative approaches to education and opportunities for intercultural interaction.
Day 1 - Welcome and Local Exploration. In the morning, participants were warmly welcomed to the CU campus, where a quiz about Slovakia helped to break the ice. This was followed by a presentation of the weekly programme and an introduction to the KNOWLO process, including practical case studies. After a coffee break, the discussion continued with analysing local experiences and preparing for school visits. In the afternoon, the participants explored the historic centre of Ružomberok on a guided tour. They were able to visit a very interesting exhibition of children/students with specific needs, which led us to reflect on educational excellence in inclusion issues.
Day 2 - School visits and culture. Tuesday started early, with a group of participants travelling to the Základná škola Bystrická cesta 14 school. The morning was dedicated to a presentation of the school, student performances and job shadowing activities in various classrooms. This was followed by a cultural event in the afternoon, which featured presentations on African and European countries. The school's students engaged in this cultural activity with great motivation and enthusiasm.
Day 3 - Sharing Practices in Trnava. Wednesday was marked by a trip to the city of Trnava, where the participants were welcomed at the Harmony Academy, a private training centre for teachers. Activities included interactive workshops, sharing innovative course management practices and open discussions on pedagogical methods. On this visit, it was possible to evaluate and reflect on good practices and how to self-evaluate teaching and the institution.
Day 4 - Heritage and Celebration. On this day the agenda included another school visit, this time to Základná škola Sládkovičova, where the formula of presentations, classroom visits and a cultural event was repeated. The afternoon brought a unique experience: a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Vlkolínec, where participants were able to immerse themselves in traditional Slovak architecture.
Day 5 - Reflection and Closure. Friday was dedicated to reflecting on the project. During the morning, guidelines for schools and training organisations were discussed, as well as the results and improvements to the project platform. There was also a meeting of project coordinators from each of the project's partner countries, where they analysed, evaluated and reflected on the various steps and tasks to be carried out within the project. Throughout the week, the combination of professional, cultural and social activities fostered an environment of co-operation and mutual learning, reinforcing the spirit of innovation and international collaboration in education.
