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Paloma Valdivia Vizarreta, Xavier Úcar Martínez, Laura Corbella Molina, Héctor Núñez López, Rudi Roose, Dana Knotová, Sylvia Holthoff, Gabriel Eichsteller , Lieve Bradt, Lowis Charfe, Charlotte Firing, Lindy Simpson, Jörg Schlüter, Brigitte Paterson, Laura Arnau, Vladimíra Kyjánková, Colin Paterson, Ali Gardner, Heike Schädler, Martin Sørensen, and Àngela Janer

Social Pedagogy across Europe is the first Massive Open Online Course focused on social pedagogy – a relationship-centred approach to supporting people’s learning, well-being and social inclusion in ways that promote social justice. The course is structured in eight sessions presented over four weeks – an introductory session, six sessions outlining social pedagogy in different European countries and sharing some innovative practice insights, and a review session to support you in applying your learning. You can undertake the six country sessions in any order you would like.

Through this course, we aim to:

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Social Pedagogy across Europe is the first Massive Open Online Course focused on social pedagogy – a relationship-centred approach to supporting people’s learning, well-being and social inclusion in ways that promote social justice. The course is structured in eight sessions presented over four weeks – an introductory session, six sessions outlining social pedagogy in different European countries and sharing some innovative practice insights, and a review session to support you in applying your learning. You can undertake the six country sessions in any order you would like.

Through this course, we aim to:

1. Give you an insight into how social pedagogy has been developing across Europe, highlighting both the diversity and connections,

2. Highlight the importance of valuing every person as intrinsically ‘rich’, recognising their unique potential and ability to be a valuable member of society,

3. Introduce you to ways in which you can bring this belief to life in everyday interactions and relationships that support people’s learning, nurture their well-being and enable them to feel included in society,

4. Ensure you are familiar with the most fundamental aspects of social pedagogical practice in ways that are applicable in your own personal and professional life.

If you are currently working with children, young people, families, community groups, vulnerable adults or older people, then this course will be highly relevant. You will gain a panoramic overview of social pedagogy, which explores the principles and key thematic areas in ways that are practice-relevant and can be easily applied in any educational and care setting.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview and welcome
Social Pedagogy across Europe is the first Massive Open Online Course focussed on social pedagogy – a relationship-centred approach to supporting people’s learning, well-being and social inclusion in ways that promote social justice. The course is structured in eight sessions presented over four weeks – an introductory session, six sessions outlining social pedagogy in different European countries and sharing some innovative practice insights, and a review session to support you in applying your learning. You can undertake the six country sessions in any order you’d like. Through this course we aim to: *Give you an insight into how social pedagogy has been developing across Europe, highlighting both the diversity and connections, *Highlight the importance of valuing every person as intrinsically ‘rich’, recognising their unique potential and ability to be a valuable member of society, *Introduce you to ways in which you can bring this belief to life in everyday interactions and relationships that support people’s learning, nurture their well-being and enable them to feel included in society, *Ensure you are familiar with the most fundamental aspects of social pedagogical practice in ways that are applicable in your own personal and professional life. Please watch our introductory video to get more insights.
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Introduction to Social Pedagogy across Europe and Participatory Practice
In the first session, you’ll hear from our ThemPra team how social pedagogy has been developing across Europe and what the central guiding principles are. We’ll also tell you more about the social pedagogy perspective we’re taking in the MOOC and what themes we’ll be covering over the course. Finally, we’ll dive straight into the first theme: participatory practice. You’ll have a chance to find out why participation is important and how you can ensure that the people you support are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them. Find out more about the first session in the short intro video below.
Social Pedagogy in Germany - Resource-Orientated Practice
Our first country session will take you to the ‘cradle’ of social pedagogy: Germany. In this session by our colleagues from the KJSH in Northern Germany, we’ll first give you an overview of social pedagogy in Germany, and then highlight the dynamics at play in social pedagogical practice, before introducing you to ways of working with, and strengthening, people’s resourcefulness. We’ve included six videos and two case studies about resource-orientated case management at the KJSH. Please watch our short intro video for more details.
Social Pedagogy in the UK – Creativity
In this week’s first session you’ll meet our colleagues at the University of Central Lancashire, who will introduce you to social pedagogy in the UK. In particular, we’ll focus on the role of creativity in social pedagogical practice. Our session includes ten short videos and a choice between two creative activities you can do as part of your assignment. Please watch our short intro video for more details.
Social Pedagogy in Denmark – Purposeful Shared Activities
The second session this week features the Danish contribution from our teams at Københavns Professionshøjskole and Common View. In this session we’ll introduce you to social pedagogy in Denmark and a model for planning purposeful shared activities: SMTTE. We use this a lot in Denmark as we love undertaking activities together with the people we support social pedagogically. Please watch our short intro video for more details about our session.
Social Pedagogy in the Czech Republic – Prevention
The first session of this week comes from our colleagues at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. As you’ll learn, social pedagogy has a long history and a very interesting tradition there. We’ll also explore how prevention activities can be used within social pedagogical practice and why these are important. Our session includes four videos and several further resources on prevention programmes in the Czech Republic. Please watch our short intro video for further details.
Social Pedagogy in Spain - Community Education
In this week’s second session we’ll introduce you to social pedagogy in Spain. Our team from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is pleased to explore with you the history and current situation of social pedagogy in Spain and the role of community education within this framework. We’ve included a total of sixteen videos aimed at giving you a comprehensive and practice-relevant insight into the role that community education plays within community life and the education of individuals. Please watch our short intro video for further details about our session.
Social Pedagogy in Belgium – Social Justice
In this session we’ll be exploring with you the role of social pedagogy as a perspective in Belgium. We’ll also introduce you to aspects around social justice and how social pedagogues can engage with people who are disadvantaged because of social inequality, given that we won't be able to solve complex structural problems like poverty. Over our 4 videos, we’ll also share some practice insights illustrating how we can ‘keep the door open’ to ensure we engage with those wider issues. Please watch our short intro video, in which we outline our session in more detail.
Social Pedagogy in a Wider Context
In this second session we’ll briefly be reviewing the key learning points from the previous sessions and encouraging you to revisit your reflections from earlier sessions. But we don’t stop there. We’ve also included a glimpse at social pedagogy across the globe with short contributions illustrating social pedagogical practices in Mexico, Greece, the United States, Canada, Brazil and Slovakia. You’ll also find some practical tips on how you can nurture change and develop some of the ideas you've been learning about in your team and wider organisation. Find out more about this final session in our short introductory video.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for learners working with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
Emphasizes participatory practice as a core principle of social pedagogy
Provides diverse perspectives from different European countries
Covers key thematic areas in social pedagogy, such as resource orientation, creativity, and prevention
Led by a team of experienced social pedagogy practitioners and academics

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Reviews summary

Social pedagogy across europe: engaging and informative

According to students, this course offers a thorough examination of Social Pedagogy in Europe featuring a variety of videos, readings, and assignments from across social work and pedagogy in practice. Learners say they especially enjoyed the peer-graded assignments, which they found insightful and helpful for improving their self-reflection skills.
Applicable to both personal and professional lives
"The concepts and understanding of social pedagogy from the various European countries are very useful to both personal and professional lives."
Helpful and insightful
"I thoroughly enjoyed the two peer-graded assignments and certainly improved my self-reflective skills."
Captivating videos and diverse assignments
"This was a comprehensive guide into the history of Social Pedagogy from across Europe."
"The pace was great, allowing time to reflect."
"It delivered a range of videos, reading and assignments from across social work and pedagogy in practice."
"Really excellent course. Comprehensive and interesting with relevant assessment tasks."
Contacting support was challenging
"When I wanted to speak to someone about this, it was almost impossible to find any way to contact them, which was frustrating."
Videos could be improved for better comprehension
"It was a little difficult to concentrate and learn much from the videos, I think a more interactive style would suit certain learners better."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Social Pedagogy across Europe with these activities:
Review key concepts from previous courses
Reviewing key concepts from previous courses in social sciences, education, or psychology will provide a stronger foundation for understanding social pedagogy in this course.
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  • Identify the key concepts covered in previous relevant courses.
  • Review your notes, textbooks, or other materials from those courses.
  • Make a list of the key concepts and definitions.
  • Spend time reflecting on how these concepts relate to each other and to the field of social pedagogy.
Review the key terms and concepts of social pedagogy
Refreshing your knowledge of key terms and concepts will help you to build a strong foundation for the course.
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  • Read the course syllabus and identify the key terms and concepts
  • Review your notes or use online resources to refresh your understanding of these terms and concepts
Practice active listening skills
Practicing active listening skills will help you to engage in meaningful conversations with others.
Show steps
  • Pay attention to what others are saying
  • Reflect on what you have heard and ask clarifying questions
  • Summarize what you have heard and check for understanding
Nine other activities
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Organize and review your notes
Organizing and reviewing your notes will help you to retain the information you have learned.
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  • Create a system for organizing your notes
  • Review your notes regularly and make connections between different concepts
Join a study group or discussion forum
Engaging in discussions with peers will allow you to share your understanding of social pedagogy, learn from others, and get feedback on your ideas.
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  • Find a study group or discussion forum that is focused on social pedagogy.
  • Join the group or forum and introduce yourself.
  • Participate in discussions by sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and responding to others.
Participate in online discussions
Participating in online discussions will help you to engage with the course material and connect with other students.
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  • Read the discussion prompts and respond to at least one prompt each week
  • Respond to other students' posts and engage in thoughtful discussions
Design a social pedagogy intervention plan
Creating a social pedagogy intervention plan will allow you to apply the principles and methods you learn in this course to a real-world scenario.
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  • Identify a specific social problem or issue that you want to address.
  • Research the issue and identify the relevant stakeholders.
  • Develop a set of goals and objectives for your intervention.
  • Design the specific activities and strategies that you will use to achieve your goals.
  • Create a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of your intervention.
Read 'Pedagogy: The Theory and Practice of Teaching'
This book provides a comprehensive overview of social pedagogy, exploring its history, principles, and practices.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and chapters 1-3
  • Summarize the key concepts and principles of social pedagogy
  • Identify the implications of social pedagogy for your own practice
Join a study group
Joining a study group will help you to collaborate with other students and learn from their perspectives.
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  • Find or create a study group with other students in the course
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course material and work on assignments together
  • Share ideas, resources, and support each other
Volunteer with a social pedagogy organization
Volunteering will provide you with hands-on experience and help you to connect with the field.
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Show steps
  • Research social pedagogy organizations in your area
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Complete any necessary training or orientation
  • Participate in volunteer activities and learn from experienced professionals
Create a blog post on a social pedagogy topic
Creating a blog post will help you to synthesize your learning and share your insights with others.
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Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you are interested in
  • Research the topic and develop a thesis statement
  • Write your blog post in a clear and engaging style
  • Share your blog post with others and get feedback
Develop a social pedagogy project plan
Developing a project plan will help you to apply your learning to a real-world setting.
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  • Identify a need or problem that you want to address
  • Develop a clear and concise project goal
  • Identify the target group for your project
  • Develop a plan for implementing your project
  • Evaluate your project and make necessary adjustments

Career center

Learners who complete Social Pedagogy across Europe will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Social Worker
Social Workers help people overcome social and economic challenges to improve their well-being. They provide counseling, support, and resources to individuals, families, and groups. If you want to become a Social Worker, this course can provide a foundation in social pedagogy, which will help you understand the principles and practices of working with people from diverse backgrounds and with different needs.
Youth Worker
Youth Workers provide support and guidance to young people, helping them develop their skills, confidence, and resilience. This course can help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which are essential for working with young people and helping them to reach their full potential.
Community Development Worker
Community Development Workers help communities to identify and address their needs and aspirations. They work with people from all walks of life to build stronger, more cohesive communities. This course will provide you with a foundation in social pedagogy, which will help you understand the principles of community development and how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Teacher
Teachers help students learn and grow, both academically and personally. They create a positive and supportive learning environment and use a variety of teaching methods to help students reach their full potential. This course can help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which are essential for creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment and for working effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.
Social Policy Analyst
Social Policy Analysts research and analyze social issues and develop policies to address them. They work with governments, nonprofits, and other organizations to develop and implement policies that improve the lives of people. This course can help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which are important for developing and implementing social policies that are effective and equitable.
Social Researcher
Social Researchers conduct research on social issues and problems. They use a variety of research methods to collect and analyze data and write reports that inform policy and practice. This course can help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which are essential for conducting research that is ethical, culturally sensitive, and relevant to the needs of people.
Counselor
Counselors help people with mental health issues and personal problems. They provide support, guidance, and therapy to help people overcome challenges and improve their well-being. This course can provide you with a foundation in social pedagogy, which will help you understand the principles and practices of counseling and how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources function of an organization. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and developing employees. They also work to create a positive and supportive work environment. This course can provide you with a foundation in social pedagogy, which will help you understand the principles of human resources management and how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for planning, budgeting, and fundraising. They also work to develop and implement programs that meet the needs of the community. This course can provide you with a foundation in social pedagogy, which will help you understand the principles of nonprofit management and how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Program Manager
Program Managers oversee the implementation of programs and projects. They are responsible for planning, budgeting, and staffing programs. They also work to ensure that programs are meeting their goals and objectives. This course can provide you with a foundation in social pedagogy, which will help you understand the principles of program management and how to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies. They write reports and recommendations to inform policy decisions. This course may help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which can be useful for conducting research and analysis on social policies.
Grant Writer
Grant Writers write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations and other causes. This course may help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which can be useful for writing grant proposals that are effective and persuasive.
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising Managers raise money for nonprofit organizations and other causes. This course may help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which can be useful for developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneurs use business principles to solve social problems. They start businesses and organizations that aim to make a positive impact on the world. This course may help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which can be useful for developing and implementing social enterprises.
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work with communities to identify and address their needs and aspirations. They help people to build relationships, develop skills, and take action to improve their lives. This course may help you understand the principles of social pedagogy, which can be useful for working with communities and organizing for social change.

Reading list

We've selected four books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Social Pedagogy across Europe .
Provides a comprehensive overview of social pedagogy, including its history, principles, and methods. It valuable resource for those who want to learn more about the field.
Introduces the concept of purposeful shared activities in social pedagogy, which involves engaging children and young people in activities that are meaningful and enjoyable.
A review of the Spanish model of social pedagogy, highlighting its emphasis on community education and social action.
An academic journal that publishes original research, theoretical articles, and practice-based reports on social pedagogy.

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