A group of primary school educators (teachers and learning support assistants) participated on a voluntary basis in an in-service course organised by Heritage Malta and the Curriculum Management and eLearning Department last month.

The course explored resources and activity ideas to demonstrate how museums and sites can provide a stimulating and engaging focus for cross-curricular themes.

During the three day course the participants explored the role and vision of Heritage Malta in outdoor education and the role of the teacher during visits to Heritage Malta sites and museums. They focused on possible systems for a more effective co-operation between teachers and Heritage Malta Education Programmes Department during visits and specific activities.

The course was held at three different locations, namely the Malta Maritime Museum, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples and St Paul’s Catacombs. Apart from a guided tour of each museum and site, the educators also had the possibility of exploring the sites, and planning lessons.

The three locations were selected so as to provide educators with a better understanding of an educational programme on three different levels: the first being a museum where it is possible to hold a full day of lessons, the second being a site where a certain amount of preparation must be undertaken by the teachers and their students prior to the visit, and finally a site the limitations of which restrict the students to a visit followed by a lesson in class.

The Education Programmes Department within Heritage Malta strives to create necessary learning environments by means of various programmes, thematic events and other activities to support the education of Maltese and foreign students and visitors of all ages.

The course was considered as highly effective by Heritage Malta, which looks forward to this being the first of a series of such in-service courses to strengthen the relationship between service providers such as Heritage Malta and the Curriculum Management and eLearning Department.

The educators present also had very encouraging remarks concerning the course, considering it as extremely interesting and well prepared, while the staff was very helpful and extremely willing to offer their services during the scholastic year.

Heritage Malta and the Curriculum Mangement and eLearning Department are already discussing the possibility of holding similar courses in the future.

Permalink: Exploring our Heritage course for primary school educators