Narrative Crossings in Education

The Center for Education and Lifelong Learning (CELLL) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) welcomes you to “Narrative Crossings in Education,” a 42-hour online LLL program to be offered via ZOOM or BigBlueButton (elearning) platforms.

The program is organized by the Laboratory of Narrative Research (LNR) of the School of English Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh).

Start date: 10/04/2021
End date: 05/06/2021
Application deadline: 07/04/2021
Duration: 42 hours of online teaching and 22 hours of workload
Cost: 150€/standard
ECTS: 2

Objectives

The program provides participants with in-depth and practical knowledge about the multiple uses of narratives in a learning environment. The varied qualities of narrative will be examined as forms of personal, social and communication discourse. We will examine the important contribution of narration to socio-cultural relations and its pivotal role in the learning process. The sections/subsections of this program will improve the ways participants plan and implement teaching practices/interventions while strengthening their creativity and critical thinking.

The sections/subsections offer participants a (re)consideration of narrative by introducing its more practical/applied uses and stressing narrative’s manifestation in discourse/communication and learning. More specifically, the program is structured around the following axes:

• knowledge about how literary and non-literary narratives affect human perception
• occasions to explore how storytelling can promote self-cognition and self-realization
• a (re)examination of genre and subgenre categories
• connecting narration with good teaching practices
• effective class management skills towards establishing a productive classroom atmosphere
• the art of expressing oneself in different forms of narrative
• the use of topics that encourage learning.

Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance in English and/or Greek upon request (see below Certificate).

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the program, participants will:

• identify the possibilities of multi-layered narratives
• be familiar with ways of utilizing storytelling in educational contexts
• be able to design educational interventions based on narratives of real-life experience
• have approached narrative theory via participant-driven workshops
• have considered the contribution of aesthetic/narrating experience to learning
• have enriched critical thinking with creative activities

Participant selection & Requirements

The program is of interest to:

• graduates of institutions of Higher Education in Greece and abroad
• graduates of private tertiary-education institutions
• researchers interested in storytelling and narrative
• Primary- and Secondary-Education teachers
• the general public that has an interest in storytelling and creative writing

Special emphasis is given to Humanities-related topics and narrative theories. The program aims at enriching the theoretical knowledge participants have received during their studies and/or educational hands-on experience with creative learning interventions.

Selection criteria are based on a combination of the applicant’s:

• Curriculum vitae or biographical note
• Statement of Intent (150 words). Please explain why you are applying to this program and how your experience (academic, work, etc.) has prepared you to enter this program.
• Knowledge of English (B2 level)

Please note that a limited number of participants are accepted to the program. Registrations will be handled on a first come, first served basis!

Teaching Method

Real-time (synchronous) online instruction.

Educational Material

The program provides participants with:

1. PDF articles (pre- and post-reading material)
2. Slides from in-class presentations
3. List of sources for further research

Course Description

Course Instructors

Evaluation/Certificate

Participants will be evaluated according to their:

• In-class participation: 30%
• Analysis of selected study material (four follow-up reflections): 40%
• One in-class joint presentation: 30%

Upon completion of the program, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance with 2 ECTS credited. The Certificate of Attendance is issued by the Center for Education and Lifelong Learning (LLL) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and signed by the coordinator of the program.

For the successful completion of the program, the participants should:

A) have attended all the teaching units. Absences may not exceed 10% of the scheduled training hours.
B) have paid all the participation fees by 07/04/2021.

Application

Each application has to be accompanied by the following:

1. Curriculum vitae or biographical note
2. Statement of Intent (150 words). Please explain why you are applying to this program and how your experience (academic, work, etc.) has prepared you to enter this program.
3. Knowledge of English (B2 level)

Contact

For further information, please contact Dr. Sophia Emmanouilidou (semma@enl.auth.gr) or Dr. Maria Ristani (mristani@enl.auth.gr)