Project - AGS -- Acting Greener in Schools through Digital Narratives

Overview

AGS brings together partners from 5 European countries (Iceland, Greece, Germany, Belgium, and Spain) under the coordination of the University of Iceland and aims to develop innovative education methodologies and trainings for green skills, with the use of digital storytelling and creativity.

Using a holistic approach AGS will empower teachers towards achieving greener behaviours and shape at the same time the tomorrow's climate action change makers along with the engagement of their families. Coupling digital technologies with strong narratives will enable teachers, students and their environment to identify and act upon environmental problems as active citizens and not just as observers.

The role of education in addressing climate change is increasingly recognized. Despite the effort happening on an EU level it seems that there is no specific behavioural change towards a greener future and Researchers argue that to find how to communicate the climate crisis in a way that would inspire behavioural change, one should look into how humans process information “narratives can help to find better ways to communicate science”. The partnership has also identified needs for teachers for late primary and secondary education related to:

• Lack of effective strategies, practices and tools for delivering innovative, action driven Climate Change Education: In general teachers face various difficulties to apply innovative competence-based teaching in their settings as they are not trained in such practices while not feeling confident to teach for climate change due to the absence of clarity about the most effective teaching strategies.
• Weaknesses in Digital Competences for Educators (DCE) increase when it comes to situations or tools specifically related to online teaching. The need for proper DCE has been fundamental for the avoidance of disruption in teaching- learning processes. Teachers’ digital tools’ needs have increased especially post-covid19 where more knowledge is needed than the regular digital communication skills. This leads to the need for suitable training on DCE in a structured manner; it can be said that covid-19 has emphasized the importance of teacher professional development for online and blended learning.

In view of the above, the project ActGreenStory (AGS) responds to these challenges, capitalizing on past projects, and innovative education methodologies and trainings for green skills, with the use of digital storytelling and creativity seeks to empower teachers towards achieving greener behaviours, shaping tomorrow’s climate action change-makers, with participatory methods, following a holistic approach. Digital technologies in all their facets coupled with strong narratives can engage students towards becoming tomorrow’s green stewards.