Haut-Lac International Bilingual School is taking part in an unusual classroom initiative this week, from 30 January to 4 February 2017.
The French initiative, called La CLISE (CLasse Inversée : la SEmaine), promotes the notion of a "flipped classroom", which encourages students to actively learn course material at home via digital technology and then use class time to solidify their knowledge. Teachers are thus freed from directing instruction, and have more time to work with their students on the harder task of assimilating knowledge.
This pedagogical model is now becoming more and more popular in schools. It is described as a reversal of traditional teaching so, instead of being taught new material by teachers at school, the students are asked to study the material at home, usually via video. And what used to be done at home is now done at school. Under the new model, students and teachers have more time for activities, group projects and discussions that give real meaning to academic material.
According to education specialists, this approach increases student motivation, makes teachers more available to students, encourages the use of new technology, increases the amount of group work, and gives students an active role in their learning.
The Classe Inversée : La Semaine (#CLISE2017) is an international event that showcases the flipped classroom method. Over 200 information sessions and workshops will take place this year throughout the world, including in Switzerland at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School.
Private education is the theme of two new mini-exhibitions to be launched in Geneva and Lausanne next month.
Called EduKid, the exhibitions will take place on 1 February at the Casino de Montbenon in Lausanne, and 8 February at the Novotel Hotel in Geneva.
Given the huge competition that now exists between local schools, especially within the private sector, these new exhibitions have been set up to help clarify for parents the wide range of options that are now available to families living in this region.
EduKid exhibition manager, Alex Herren, told knowitall.ch, "EduKid is targeted at parents who want the very best for their kids, and who realise that a good education is the key to success when it comes to accessing the world of work. The exhibition will also help parents find alternative solutions for those children who are experiencing difficulties at school."
A new Montessori school will open in Nyon on 9 January 2017, catering for both expats and locals.
Conveniently situated in the new La Petite Prairie development, half way between Nyon train station and the A1 motorway, The Secret of Childhood Montessori school will offer a full-time school programme for children aged 3 to 6 years. The curriculum will follow the HarmoS standard that has been adopted by all French-speaking cantons in Switzerland and which facilitates the transition to the public school system.
When the school opens in January, there will be two teachers on the staff, one English-speaking and one French-speaking, both with diplomas awarded by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and many years of experience as teachers in a Montessori environment.
The Institut International de Lancy (IIL) is taking robotics teaching to an exciting new level with the recent acquisition of two new humanoid robots at its campus in Grand-Lancy, Geneva.
Nicknamed, Bonnie and Clyde, the two Nao robots are just the latest examples of progressive learning that the school has introduced since it first started using robotic applications to enhance teaching and learning over twenty-five years ago.
Describing the rationale behind their recent purchases, General Director, Norbert Foerster, told knowitall.ch, “When we first introduced Lego Mindstorm robots into our classroom back in 1991, it soon became apparent that robotics teaching has the unique ability to encourage creativity, collaboration, and communication amongst our students, in a way that traditional teaching techniques can never hope to achieve.”
Catherine McKeever has been appointed as the new Head of School at GEMS World Academy Switzerland (GWAS), succeeding Audrey Peverelli.
With a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Educational Management as well as a postgraduate Certificate of Education, Catherine draws on solid international experience gained from teaching at different schools in California, London, Dubai and now in Switzerland.
Specialized in school improvement and the development of school leadership, she focuses on empowering schools by applying simple but efficient protocols. “It is important to enable schools to make changes on their own. This leads to more and more adjustments and improvements coming from within the school and from the teachers themselves”, Catherine explains.
The environment surrounding GEMS World Academy is already very familiar to her: After having spent over 20 years in London, Catherine joined GEMS Jumeirah Primary School in Dubai in 2014, holding the position of the school Principal for two years. According to Catherine, working for GEMS World Academy is an excellent opportunity to further apply her strategies and methods within a much broader, international environment.
