4C Taster - training on the basics of Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication

Aims & objectives

The main aims and objectives:
• to transfer to participants the idea that the world has been undergone changes, and introduce them the necessary skills and competencies of the 21st century which should be implemented in the modern educational system;
• to develop critical thinking;
• to develop creativity;
• to develop communication skills;
• to develop collaboration competence;
• to enrich the “toolbox” of youth workers and youth leaders with new methods and techniques that could be used in the process of non-formal education.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

In the TC were involved participants who:
• are 18+ years old;
• work with youth;
• are open to new experience and learning opportunities;
• are open-minded and flexible;
• are able to communicate and express themselves in English;
• are motivated and interested in the topic of the project.

The training involved 36 participants from 11 countries: Armenia, Croatia, France, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Ukraine.

Training methods used & main activities

21st-century competencies:
• C — Communication: the ability to listen to, understand, convey and contextualize information through verbal, nonverbal, visual and written means.
• C — Creativity: the ability to imagine and devise new, innovative ways of addressing problems, answering questions or expressing meaning through the application, synthesis or repurposing of knowledge.
• C — Critical thinking: the ability to identify, analyze and evaluate situations, ideas and information to formulate responses and solutions.
• C — Collaboration: the ability to work in a team towards a common goal, including the ability to prevent and manage conflicts.

One of the training methods used:
• Improvisation Theatre method. Critical thinking requires not only analytical abilities, but also developed emotional intelligence and creativity. Thus, active listening is important in the perception of information, as it allows you to get into the essence and deeply understand what is being said; openness to new ideas expands the perspective of the view and allows you to consider the subject from different sides. Improvisation Theatre is a unique tool that is ideal for developing these skills. We also use this method to prepare participants for public speaking, training their confidence and raising awareness of the importance of non-verbal communication.

Outcomes of the activity

The results of the project are recorded in the digital Manual "4C Taster", dedicated to critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration. It includes some tips for a wide range of people about how to develop critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration as 21st-century competencies. We hope to distribute this Manual (both Internet and printed version) and draw the attention of target groups to this issue, increase their awareness in this area. In addition, during the project, participants developed these skills and competences and practised them in the group and individual work. We hope, it will help participants to spread their positive experience and ideas among people (it’s worth underlining that ideas could be not only about the 4C skills/competences, but also about other values – it depends on the sphere, where each participant works, but mainly democracy, non-violence, equality, human rights, diversity, intercultural dialogue, climate changing, healthy lifestyle, etc. – so the common values for Europe and the whole world).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tc.4c.taster

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was one of the full time Trainers responsible for the content.

I worked on this training for 8 days as a full time trainer.