Stress Prevention in Schools (Comenius)
Objective:
Nearly everybody is accustomed to stress related with examinations. There is even a disease called neurogenous diarrhoea of students, due literally exclusively to stress. New technology is in many cases a source of stress. To know how to manage their stress is beneficial in many ways and maximises the learning effect.
Teachers, even experienced ones are in many cases stressed when they have a new class to deal with, or they have to build new pedagogical material e.g. by using new technologies. They are also stressed for example, when they are evaluated and their position or promotion depends on the evaluation, when they use didactic tools they do not master, they are not enough prepared etc.
School administration staff may find their work monotonous and lacking variety, with periods having too much to do, working in unpredictable hours, with pedagogic and administrative issues pressing.
The aim of this course is to develop the participants’ knowledge and skills in recognizing the indicators of work-related stress, in assessing stress-related risks and in identifying and tackling the structural problems that cause stress in working life.
After finishing the training course participants are expected to:
- recognise what work-related stress is
- understand its effects
- assess stress-related risks
- introduce measures to prevent work-related stress
- solve work-stress related problems
- take actions to manage work-related stress
- promote well-being at work
Preparation
The participants will receive information about the programme before the training begins. A folder with all study material will be distributed to all participants before the beginning of the training.
Methodology
The main pedagogical approach is that of action- learning, based on the principle that one learns easier, faster and better if he/she learns by experience.
The course methods are lectures, exercises, case studies, role play games.
The training material consist of a handbook, presentations, CD-ROM, case studies and role play games. Trainers will use presentations to support their training.
The handbook will support the participants in the learning process. Case-studies and exercises are used during the training to help participants understand the theoretical framework. Role play games are used to make the content of the training concrete and relevant. The use of a CD-Rom will also allow participants to adapt the main content to the context of their own work, using new ideas where appropriate.
Target audience:
- Teachers (Pre-school, primary, secondary, vocational, adult, special needs)
- Teacher trainers
- Careers officers, educational guides and counsellors
- Inspectors
- Headteachers/principals/managers of schools
- Non-teaching administrative staff
- Members of students/teachers councils in adult education
Follow-up
Participants will participate in an on-line community for the exchange of experience and good practices
Trainers
Sofia Spiliotopoulou, Chemical Engineer, Economist, MSc in Regional development, expertise in evaluation, project management, social inclusion, stress management.
Natassa Kazantzidou, Chemical Engineer, MSc in Information Systems, expertise in quality in training, project planning and management, evaluation.
Xenia Chronopoulou, Business Administration, MSc in Computer Science, expertise in financial administration of projects.
Programme
Day 1
- Registration, practical information
- Introduction/Orientation: The aim is to help to get the participants oriented to the objectives and contents of the course.
- Content:
- Introduction of content, training methods and training material
- What is stress
- What causes work stress
- The effects of work stress (on individuals and organizations)
- Exercise: Stress factors. How to recognize stress factors?
- Case study: Stress management in a VET institute, reorganisation of work processes
Day 2
- Risk Assessment: The aim is to clarify and give a good overall picture of managing stress-related risks.
- Content:
- What can you do about stress?
- Assessing risk at work
- Essential steps in risk management
- Case study: Dealing with crisis situations
- Role play: Different people and different perceptions of work
Day 3
- Prevention/Intervention: The aim is to provide the participants with the knowledge and skills to solve problems resulting from work-related stress.
- Content:
- Solving work stress problems
- Caring for troubled teachers and students
- Organizational culture
- Resources for managing work stress
- Further reading and information (for example, WHO, EASHW, ILO, NIOSH)
- Case study: Prevention and intervention techniques for risk management
Day 4
- Evaluation session:The aim of this session is to learn how to evaluate risk management interventions
- Content
- Evaluation and feedback
- Plan for changes
- Resources for evaluation tools
- Case study: evaluation techniques
Day 5
- The aim of this session is to consolidate knowledge and skills acquired and to brainstorm on good practices.
- Case study: Competition between teachers
- Workshop:
- Stress situations in participants institutes
- Reflection – brainstorming
- Exchange of good practices
- Evaluation of the training course
- Farewell
Subscription fee: 750 euros
Includes:
- Attendance of 5 days training course
- Learning material
- Access to e-learning platform, follow up of the training and networking with the other participants
Certificate: Europass Mobility including description of learning outcomes acquired.
Contact: Lila Anthopoulou This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it tel: +30 210 4286227
Training sessions
- Loutra Oraias Elenis: 15 - 19/7/2013
- Piraeus: 21 - 25/10/2013 (registrations now open)
Please note that you can only apply for funding now in the training session of 21-25/10/2013. If you are interested to attend the previous training sessions of 2013, you have to cover the cost by other means of funding (own, sponsorship etc).