Progressive pedagogical methods for empowering children with fewer opportunities

By the implementation of this project we wanted to explore ways to improve the current TADA methodology. We saw a clear leverage effect: coaching a few dozen facilitators can have an immediate exp...

By the implementation of this project we wanted to explore ways to improve the current TADA methodology. We saw a clear leverage effect: coaching a few dozen facilitators can have an immediate exponential impact on TADA programs. These programs reach more than 700 teenagers from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Brussels every year (internal studies show that these students progress faster than their peers in terms of self-confidence, future prospects, social connections, willingness to learn, drive and motivation). Improvements in facilitator training and optimization of the subjects they teach will be directly felt by the children, as facilitators will be better able to provide content at their level and create formats that encourage participation. With the implementation of this project TADA also wanted to explore how can greater internationalization of TADA help TADA’s trainers and target groups. We wanted to explore whether internationalization might increase the quality of our work, bring new possibilities for youth included in our programmes, and support TADA’s mission.

Project management : TADA & STEP Institute's project management focused on establishing a healthy partnership through defined milestones, data collection strategies and visual tools. The project resulted in growth for both organizations and resulted in a good first experience as partners in an International context. Mutual exchange of best practices & co-creation STEP & TADA exchanged best practices and co-created training materials through virtual meetings and a two-day live meeting in Slovenia, mainly focusing on revising and creating new class management training for ICT workshops. STEP involved trainers and teachers from Slovenia, Serbia, and Lithuania, making the exchange truly transnational. Detailed discussions, brainstorming, and prototyping sessions benefited both partners. Organizing the trainings & workshops : TADA organized the workshops co-created with STEP during 30 TADA Saturdays with the children and gave the training "How to use TADA pedagogy in a workshop" twice. Dissemination and Evaluation: STEP and TADA hosted an e-learning event in which they presented joint findings and good practices to approximately 517 people who attended the live conference and 2,000 people who watched the recording.

The creation of a new "Class Management" training. This training was co-created during the visit of two TADA employees to Slovenia and created for the 28 members of the TADA pedagogical team, who each manage a group of +- 26 children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The revision and the execution of 30 ICT TADA workshops with STEP. A sense of contributing to a sustainable strengthening of collective expertise in working with youth from vulnerable backgrounds, which increased the well-being of TADA facilitators The renewal of didactic approaches in order to integrate the best international practices and to remain at the cutting edge. Increased level of innovation in both TADA and STEP Institute's pedagogy, ensuring that the level of training for TADA facilitators evolves to meet the current social challenges. Discussion and evaluation of lessons (training of facilitators and implementation of the optimized framework in the IT workshops). Sharing our learnings about our project with the European community of teachers. Positive impact on the education and well-being of vulnerable youth in Brussels and other European countries. TADA and STEP employees felt engaged and inspired by the EU projects and opportunities.