Dialogue learning beyond borders
The Guldisloo school in Wetzikon has been practising dialogue-based learning for years. The innovative didactics at the model school in Switzerland also interested the school supervisory authorities from Styria in Austria. This resulted in a one-year mobility project.
The learning concept was developed by Swiss lecturers in teaching methods Urs Ruf and Peter Gallin. lt supports teachers in dealing with mixed-ability classes and is designed to give pupils a better understanding of independent and social learning. lt met with a very positive reception including beyond national borders. So, teachers, lecturers in teaching methods, education authorities and school heads visited each other in Switzerland and Austria in order to observe how this approach is being employed and implemented in practice. The teacher mentors were not deterred by the high-level visit of the international delegation, but saw it as a chance to prove their skills and experience and to perfect their own teaching practice.
The project has proved to be a lasting success: the innovative model of learning has been included in the development plan of the regional education authority for Styria. The project is also bearing fruit at the Guldisloo school. "In the meantime, all teachers are involved in the teaching development initiated with the project," headmistress Cornelia Battaglia is delighted to say. This success is, not least, attributable to the attention received from abroad and to the setting-up of a projectspecific continuing education and training concept for the primary school in Wetzikon.
