CULT-Tips

Strengthening primary schools capacity to develop skills in subjects such as art and cultural heritage through innovative and interactive teaching methods and approaches.

The CULT-TIPS project aims to improve an efficient learning relationship between teachers and primary school pupils using computational methods tools with the specific objective of teaching cultural heritage. The main purpose is to help teachers understanding the importance of computational thinking and digital tools as effective and innovative teaching methods applicable to all subjects.

Computational thinking is the basis for programming and coding activities, but it also helps developing logical and problem-solving skills in a creative and efficient manner, all very important abilities in nowadays. We live in an interconnected and technology-driven world where the ability to use computational thinking and develop digital skills matter more than ever. Technology however is not the core of the project, the main goal is to introduce all primary school teachers to computational methods allowing pupils to practice problem-solving skills and activities not only in STEM classes but also in humanities. The project will support and guide teachers to make the shift from traditional teaching approaches to a 21st century learning environment, ensuring that they will also be confident to use available online European cultural heritage resources to build educational units.

This participatory approach to cultural heritage fosters intercultural dialogue between teachers and pupils from a young age. Cultural heritage has a universal value for individuals, communities and societies that is important to preserve and pass on to future generations. It also has a big role to play in building the future of Europe. Hence it is important to educate our upcoming generation at an early stage. Furthermore, the project will focus on encouraging pupils’ creativity through cultural and artistic activities, engaging them in the discovery of their country’s cultural heritage.

The project aims:

• to improve teachers’ knowledge of computational thinking methods;
• to introduce these methods in teaching humanities (art, art history and cultural heritage education in particular);
• to provide teachers with tools and guidelines to support teaching activities with increasingly interactive, experimental and participatory learning experiences (using online resources, developing digital games, experimenting digital story-telling);
• to strengthen the teaching impact of primary schools by using innovative and interactive teaching methods and approaches;
• to provide high quality instruments and tools for cultural heritage education;
• to encourage teachers to raise awareness and curiosity among pupils from an early age;

These goals can be carried out only with a transnational dimension, as the full development of project methodology and outputs are based on the different national situations and cultures. Moreover, the transnationality of the actions will better address the need for a culture of broader digital knowledge in the EU.