Guidance

Step by step

Students develop and present their understanding of the topics through independently researching their chosen country but they are not entirely alone.

They get lots of guidance on a topic and their skills are developed according to their work needs.

A lecturer introduces the topic, giving the very basics.

Students are provided with a variety of original and secondary online sources.

Students are gradually taught the skills they will need to conduct their independent on-line research.

These classes range from electronic file management to digital mapping, critical thinking, finding evidence, using citations and referencing.

As the topics progress, associated skills classes build upon each other

Students present their findings on the topic.

The approach is repeated for other topics and subjects.

Gradually the student is building up a set of their findings / reports.

With each step

•  Academic writing skills are improved.

•  Group working and public presentation are learned as students analyse, compare and contrast their findings and reveal what their research has taught them about Europe, their country and the subjects under review.

•  Progress is recognised / rewarded at each stage with certificates for completion. Prizes such as tablets are won for outstanding effort or results.

(Educationalists might impress by referring to this as the use of blended and self-directed learning techniques or contemporary pedagogies with rewards.)

Until

The reports are compiled into a document, an “atlas”.

The aim is to have this meet the basic requirements of a university dissertation.

Students can choose to become authors and have their work published on the Sesadi website as a resource to future students.

If they wish, they can present their work or the skills learned as guidance for their peers taking the tutorial in the future.