IMAESC Placement
meeting point
Workshops for Adult Educators:
A Global Buffet
11. December 2018
9:30 - 13:30
Tallinn University Mare building, Uus-Sadama 5, Tallinn
working language English
This autumn there have been 25 students from 17 different countries doing their placement activities in a diverse range of organisatsions in Tallinn and beyond (see the overview). They are students of International Master Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC).
Workshops provided by the IMAESC students are designed for Estonian adult educators and are exploring a wide range of topics. It is going to be a day full of new meetings, new thoughts, inspiring ideas and insights to theories and practice from all around the world.
The event is organized in collaboration with Tallinn University and EPALE.
A global buffet
Menu: what, why and who
Playing Seriously with Technology 10:00 - 10:45 M-231
Technology is changing our learning process in different ways. There are many possibilities for exploring technology in education. We would like to collaborate with each other and find new paths that led technology to support us in our learning process. We would like to explore how technology plays a role in our learning. Can we discover the practice values of using technology? Can we explore how technology can help us in collaborating with others? The aim of this workshop is to explore the different dimensions of using technology in learning. Join us in this playful and intriguing session!
Dania: I love playing and learning. Exploring new ways to learn keeps me alive. I have experienced theatre, creative writing and language teaching for some years now. Besides, I have been around the world exploring and learning as a facilitator and student. This is my third time abroad and currently studying the International Master’s Degree in Adult Education for Social Change.
Sabrina: I love learning in different forms, sometimes it is through traveling, music or literature. Apart from working in as a facilitator, I also have done professional photography and music. I am currently doing an International Master’s Degree in Adult Education for Social Change. This is my second Master’s degree and my first one was in Educational Evaluation and Research.
Oh no! There’s a “special” learner in my class! What now? 10:00 - 10:45 M-446
As adult educators, have you ever encountered a situation where you discovered that there is a learner in your class who is different or special in some ways? If you never had such an experience, don’t you think that in your career as an adult educator, there is always a chance that one day this will happen to you? Chances are that you will because some learners have very different needs including needs that may not always be immediately noticeable or visible.
What is this workshop about? This workshop aims to co-explore with participants:
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Possible scenarios where adult educators discover “special learners” in their classes!
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Various ways in which “special learners” are different: physical disabilities, mental health issues, learning disabilities, socio-economic barriers, language proficiency level and other possibilities
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Possible ways to engage “special learners” in the teaching and learning process as much as possible
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Physical and psychological safety and ethical issues that may arise for the adult educator, the “special learner” and other learners
Why should you attend this workshop? Well, if you have not encountered any “special learners” in your class, chances are: Either they do exist in your class and you have never noticed them (or merely dismiss them) You will eventually! So, do come for this workshop and expect yourself to be an ACTIVE part of the workshop! J
Angela Kwon Mei Jun is an IMAESC (International Master of Adult Education for Social Change) scholar who hails from the multicultural, diverse society of Malaysia. Looking much younger than her actual age, she’s a multilingual curious and inquisitive person who cares deeply about social injustice and strongly believes that adult educators have an important role to play to make the world a better place, one learner at a time. Her professional background includes 10 years of teaching English at college level, a Bachelor’s Degree in the Teaching of English as a Second Language from University Technology Malaysia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics from SEAMEO RELC (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Language Centre). Besides that, she has had other enriching experiences such as teaching indigenous children from low socio-economic background with low literacy rates, teaching English to adult refugees, and some experiences and encounters with issues around disability.
Creative Integration- designing cultural learning programme 10:00 - 10:45 M-421
The aim: To explore the topics of integration through creative cultural tools and experience.
Who and why joining the workshop: Join our workshop if:
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You are interested in culture learning through
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You like interactive and participative activities.
Integration is a complicated group process, and we don’t have all the answers. But a room full of diverse local experts and educators can combine their knowledge into new creative ideas. We will use participatory methods to explore the process of designing an integration programme. Everyone is welcome from all backgrounds and experiences.
Auburn Scallon was born in Seattle and has lived in seven countries across three hemispheres. She is an experienced travel writer and guidebook author, with an educational background in English-language teaching and marketing, and is passionate about respectful, ethical approaches to cross-cultural learning. Within a month of arriving in any new place, you’ll find her at a local dance performance, a food tour, or scouting cafes for the best coffee in town.
Lauren Bouttell is an English Language teacher from the UK who has lived in five different countries in Europe and Asia. She is interested academically in education and learning opportunities for people who are refugees and asylum seekers in Europe. She also loves to try new food and visit museums!
Wenyi Lee has lived in five countries in Asia, Europe and the United States and travelled to more than thirty countries. She worked for a national organisation for more than 10 years and now is a freelance translator and interpreter. She is interested in issues regarding empowerment, capacity building and cultural integration for migrants. She loves food and travelling, and finding the best local food is always the first thing when she visits a new country.
If You are God…10:00 - 10:45 M-131
The aim: This workshop is a space for people to express and share their ideas on religion, religious practices in their familiar contexts. Participants are expected to engage in activities that are designed for lightening up the group spirit and encourage expression, and to engage in sharing their opinions on religion related topics. The facilitator will bring up the issue of homosexuality and religion in later session after 2 main activities. There are 2 dimensions that the facilitator wishes to incentivize reflective thinking: The nature of religion and its current status in Estonia, and one particular real-life issue which is homosexuality in Estonia.
Why come to this workshop? The aim of this workshop sounds heavy, but the facilitator will try to manage it with interesting activities – Playing Gods. We will let our imagination fly high, and we will try to bring it back down to earth. Religion is an important aspect in adult life, even for atheists. Whether consciously or not, religion composes a huge portion of our culture, history, and our value. As an adult educator, I am always keen to understand the influences, positive or negative, of religion in people. I believe that religious context is critical for adult educators to learn. All religious background is welcomed to this workshop, for that more diversity can bring more fun to our activities. It might get a little bit controversial, so if you are not tolerative of heats, this workshop probably doesn’t suit you. Otherwise, every participation and idea will be very much appreciated.
Cheng-Jung Chou, master students of IMAESC, intern in GK (Geikristlaste Kogu).
Improvisational comedy for leadership development 11:15 – 12:00 M-231
Learn what improv is and how it can be useful for your leadership development. Join us to play fun and educational improv games. For Beginners! Improvisation, or improv, is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up at the moment. Improv emphasises four skills that also can be used for your leadership development; listening, flexibility, creativity and comfortable with uncertainty. In 45 minutes we will play some improv games and learn how they can be useful for your leadership development.
Why should you come? As an adult educator, you may play various roles in a different situation which requires improvisation. The Improv Comedy prepares you to be flexible, collaborative and adaptive in multiple settings. It would be useful to have some laughs to lower your/learners’ blood pressure.
Who can join us? Students, lecturers, anyone who wants to know to develop their leadership by doing the improv comedy.
Putri Rizki Dian Lestari and Yunah Park are a student in International Master on Adult Education for Social Change at the Tallinn University. Yunah has worked in different local/regional organisation and institutions in South Korea. Before joining IMAESC course, she has worked with the young adults and teachers focusing on tasing awareness, attitude and behaviour change with regards to lifelong learning. Putri was a social development consultant, facilitator and teacher trainer in Indonesia. Besides, she co-founded a domestic student exchange program to promote peace education and diversity. Both them are excited on doing Improv comedy for hands-on teaching tools/improving ideas.
Connecting with Community: identity, belonging and purpose 11:15 – 12:00 M-446
We believe in the power of community. It is community which enables us to create, uphold and change spaces to meet the challenges we face in this globalized – sometimes disorientating – world. However, community does not happen ‘by magic’; it may happen organically, but it also requires effort and a range of personal, professional skills to connect with others, especially across difference and when coming in as an outsider. Non-formal adult education intersects with a range of disciplines and can be seen in a variety of community-settings, including local interest groups, Tansuklubi, church communities, Huvikeskus, among others. Much of the learning that happens in such settings is supported by non-formal education and informal learning, which emerges from the relationships made possible through community.
Aim of the workshop: We will create a space that 1) inspires participants to see the importance of community in life and learning, 2) exposes participants to a variety of practical approaches to community learning. This workshop will appeal to education professionals who want to explore their understanding of community-based learning, especially in contexts where cultural differences may be perceived as ‘barriers’ to community building or learning. This workshop will be interactive and reflective, and participants will be encouraged to learn from real-life examples of community-based education in multi-cultural environments.
Thalia Eccles is a community educator from South Africa and the UK, with experience in non-formal community adult education. Thalia worked with the Community Education Programme (at NMMU, CIPSET in South Africa), creating participatory curricula with communities looking to create change for democracy and sustainability. Her interests focus on the role of creativity in reimagining the world and finding connection through theatre, storytelling and arts.
Kelly Roberts is an emerging academic-activist in the field of community education and participatory research, who has several years’ experience of managing action learning and community development projects in a variety of settings, including Bolivia, Scotland, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Malta and Estonia. Kelly’s approach to education is critical, emancipatory, feminist. Kelly tends to work with marginalized groups such as rural women, homeless people, or people with a criminal background, who may or may not share the same language/cultural background as her.
Change the world, go macro!: Designing education policies through appreciative inquiry
11:15 – 12:00 M-421
Aim of the workshop: In this workshop, we hope our participants will be able to deepen their insights and understanding through appreciative inquiry tools, which is a model of engaging stakeholders in self-determined change. Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their prior knowledge and their own country’s policies while engaging in policy designing.
Why should you join the workshop? Policy is important for adult education, as it shapes almost every educational practices. Current and potential adult educators would benefit from broadening their understanding of various adult education policies.
Yumin Kao is an IMAESC student from Taiwan with 5 years working experience in the public sector. She is interested in vocational education policies related to work-related training in post-schooling. She will go back to Taiwan after this master program to develop training policies for civil servants.
Prum Kang is an IMAESC student from South Korea with an academic background in political science. Her professional experience includes global education and international cooperation, which shaped her current interest in vocational education policies as a tool of development. Prum hopes to work in the area of South-South cooperation after completing her master’s programme, focusing on empowering women in the Global South.
Discovering yourself: Self-assessment and the adult educator 11:15 – 12:00 M-131
The aim of your workshop. Discuss the perception, benefits and limitations of self-assessment to improve personal professional development and qualification, and provide concrete tools.
Why joining the workshop. The workshop will provide information to illustrate the importance and role of self-assessment in the role of the educator.Througha use of dialogue, examples, interviews and provision of online tools. The participants will be able to discuss with others their ideas of self-perception and use some self-assessment tools to reflect on the usefulness of such tools for their personal and professional development. The participants will have the opportunity to experiment with a particular self-assessment tool and share their experience of the process. The group will reflect on the effectiveness and limitations of the tool. With this as a group we will construct a list of possible recommendation to improve self-assessment tools that inform professional practice. The members of the group will also discuss feedback as a self-assessment tool. More specifically, ways of receiving feedback from learners, in order to understand how they are perceived by them.
Mari is a masters student in an international programme in Adult Education for Social Change. She has experience working in Non-Governmental Organizations in Georgia and Germany, in the field of Citizenship and diversity education. Her focus of research is critical pedagogy and power dynamics in the classroom.
Melitza is a Colombian speech language pathologist, coming from the U.S. She is currently completing an Erasmus masters in Adult Education for Social Change. She has a focus on inclusive education and disability. Worked in the U.S. education system before moving to Europe. She has research in the areas of audiology and specializes in working with linguistically and culturally diverse populations, as well as family centered learning.
Intercultural Uncocktail Party 12:30 – 13:15 M-231
The aim of your workshop. Most of the time, miscommunication is the result of the differences in cultural backgrounds and communication styles between people. Surprisingly, it is not just what we say, but also how we use our body and facial expressions. Therefore, the aim of this workshop is to support the participants in gaining experiential understanding of the challenges attached to that intercultural communication and enable them to realise that communication is an art and a higher form of awareness.
Why joining the workshop: We promise an unforgettable cocktail party where you will be reunited and learn with long lost family members that will probably annoy you a little bit too much!
Eirini Smoloktou is an adult educator and a Learning & Development professional from Greece. She has worked with NGOs in her hometown, advising them on lifelong learning practices and creating learning programmes. She, then moved to the UK and worked in the corporate sector, before starting the International Master in Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC). She is passionate about digital games and her interest lies in finding ways to make learning in every context, fun and engaging. Her quest is to inspire hope, ignite imagination and instil love for learning.
Yumi (Can Feng) is an IMAESC student who is exploring the world. She is interested in seeing new views in different places and communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds. She used to work as a language teacher and a facilitator for various events.
Raquel Rivera is a Social Anthropologist from Costa Rica, developing as an Adult Educator. In her field of work in Corporate Social Responsibility she developed different learning and educational material in Financial Education, Environmental education and other topics. Has experience working with groups from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, this has enhanced the interest in Intercultural Learning within multicultural groups.
The Future of Work Learning to be Competent in a Changing Labour Market
12:30 – 13:15 M-446
Aim: To introduce participants to 21st century issues facing our labour market, key competencies identified by the E.U. to address these issues, and how both can be approached and utilised by educators, employers, employees and those seeking employment.
Why you should join: We live in a world today that will not resemble the world of tomorrow. Trends in information and technology, globalisation, economies, demographics, and ecological changes all have a profound impact on the nature of work and contribute to its variability. This does not mean that we cannot prepare for the future of work however, as competencies identified by the European Union hold the key to developing the skills necessary to thrive in a changing marketplace. By examining these competencies, alongside predictions and visions of the future, employers, employees and job seekers can begin to evaluate their current position within today’s marketplace and strategise for how they can adapt in company with the coming changes in tomorrow’s professional world. While such processes of adaptation are often framed as risks or challenges, they also present genuine learning experiences. From this arises a vital challenge for adult educators in corporate and non-corporate settings: How to support individuals to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date and relevant without sacrificing one’s own pedagogical beliefs to the needs of the labour market? It seems like reflection about these questions has all too often not kept pace with economic and technological developments. - Through this workshop we hope to offer participants a chance to “catch up” with the trends.
Robert Livingston is an English language educator who has taught in a variety of settings and countries across the globe. These many work environments have exposed him to a multitude of approaches to continuing professional development and cultural competencies necessary in a world that keeps getting smaller. Currently working with the adult learning organisations Vestifex and Vitatiim in Narva he has seen firsthand how a strategic partnership between NGO's from across the European Union has allowed both the sharing and learning of approaches to youth work aimed at addressing those soon to be entering the job market.
Coming from a background of second language teaching and work with refugee and migrant communities in Germany, Phil Reckermann has often found himself pushed to prioritise concerns of employability over sound educational approaches. Over the last months, Phil has examined the corporate training sector in Estonia for Äripäev to see how the digitalisation of learning influences corporate learning.
Poetry in Adult Education 12:30 – 13:15 M-421
Aim: Demonstrate and discuss the use of poetry as material for adult learning. As a result from our experience in this programme, we have realised the appeal and deep connection learners can have with diverse forms of art expression. From essays to song lyrics, from stories to news articles, literature allows to engage in deeper and meaningful ways with people. In this setting, nationalities and language don’t present themselves as barriers; feelings and thoughts can be shared around the world. In this workshop, we will explore and discuss how we can use poems as tools for adult learning. We would like to engage with trainers and adult educators by tackling two core themes of adult education: development of critical thinking and intercultural learning.
We encourage everyone who is interested in education through art and literature to participate in our workshop!
Rodyka Lopez is an NGO development practitioner from Mexico with a background in International Relations. She has an interest on professionalisation of NGOs and coordination of projects. She did her placement at Tallinna Rahvaülikool.
Thiago Bogossian is a Geography Teacher from Brazil who is interested in the intersection between Education and Geography. He did his Placement this semester at the National Library of Estonia.
Three Shoes = Three Miles 12:30 – 13:15 M-131
Aim: The aim of this workshop is to take time to put yourself in other people’s shoes. Experiencing new perspectives can be very powerful and is an important skill to bring into professional practice. During the workshop we will take participants through different scenarios that will allow them to better relate to distinct experiences that are commonly overlooked in today’s society.
Why join this workshop? This workshop is interactive and reflective. It is meant to evoke and challenge pre-existing concepts that we all hold. Specifically, it was created to allow you to better understand the the range of experiences that exist in today’s diverse world, and how certain identities or characteristics can change how an individual interacts with and is seen by those around them. The workshop is ideal for any interested professional who is ready to understand other people’s perspectives and broaden their view of the world, or who wishes to learn new activities and techniques to help others do the same.
Ayibanu Abudurexiti, Amelia Martin and Ammar Saleh are a dream team of workshop facilitators. They are excited to combine their experiences in activism, education, LGBT+ and refugee populations and animal rights and welfare to offer an exciting and engaging workshop. Coming from three distinct corners of the globe they offer diverse perspectives that come together to create a collaborative program.