ESHA Magazine April 2012.pdf

BULGARIA: LEARNING COMMUNITY AND EFFECTIVE SCHOOL
Collaborative learning is based upon the following principles:
• Working together results in a greater understanding than would
likely have occurred if one had worked independently.
• Spoken and written interactions contribute to this increased
understanding.
• Opportunity exists to become aware, through classroom experiences,
of relationships between social interactions and increased
understanding.
• Some elements of this increased understanding are idiosyncratic
and unpredictable.
• Participation is voluntary and must be freely entered into
(Panitz).
My aims as a leader in a school are to develop learning communities
and an effective school. My practice as a head teacher for 13
years up to now has allowed me to gain many experiences both
positive and challenging. I have understood how important are the
continuous qualifi cation and training, the collaborative learning, the
good practices sharing and the establishment of common value
system for the steady growth of the school. It is not easy to put
and fulfi l these targets without deep understanding of the school
processes and analytical look at all these activities from inside. The
promotion of collaborative learning in the classroom, conducting
of critical conversations in group, continuing professional development,
the team work and partnership have a vital role for teachers
to validate effective change and realize in practice education based
on fundamental culture norms. I try to encourage the teachers to
change their view and methods of work, so that students enjoy their
work and be more involved and engaged, to become more selfconfi
dent, self-reliant and help them understand their own learning
and its importance. I believe that children should be aware of this.
To achieve good results, it is of importance the specifi cs of the
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