Educational Studies

Observation in Svend Gønge Skole 

(group: Theresa, Lisa, Alexandra)

On the 30th of April we went with our class to Lundby. We observed the school environment and the resources in Svend Gøng Skole. The task was to find out which teaching approaches can be applied in that school.

There are three different teaching approaches: 

Executive Approach: 

The executive approach is teacher-centered.The teacher explains everything and the students just listen. The main focus lays on knowledge.

  

In some classes it would have been possible to apply the executive approach. We couldn't really observe this method in a whole lesson, but in one class the introduction of the lesson was teacher-centered. 

 

Facilitator Approach: 

The facilitator approach is student-centered. The teacher focuses on the students needs and backgrounds and on the students as unique persons. The teacher facilitates environment for the children. 

We couldn't really observe this kind of approach on the basis of the resources.

Liberationist approach: 

The liberationist approach is student-centered and focused on knowledge and individual aims. The students should develop social skills to lead a civilized life. The aim is that the students become responsible and indepentent individuals of society. 

On the basis of the observed classroom management we think that this approach is high frequently used in this school:

• The students worked independently.
• They could decide on their own whether they wantet to work in groups or alone/ inside or outside the classroom.
• The children could choose between several worksheets according to their abilities.  
• There were some learning materials on the cupboards, which could be used in class.
• Every class has its own rules for a good cooperation.   

Further observations in the school:

• computer corner outside the classroom
• big library
• big gym
• assembly hall
• green areas outside the school 
• group tables in some classes
• kitchen unit and fridge in every classroom
• smartboards in almost every classrooms
• tables in front of the classrooms which could be used for independent learning
   

 

Being an Erasmus student

The last few weeks were simply wonderful. I spent a great time with the other Erasmus students. 

On the 8th of April we were invited to the student theatre "The Wizard of Oz". Although the whole play was performed in Danish, we could easily follow the plot. It was actually a lot of fun because some of the actors were friends of us. Watching them in completely different roles was gorgeous. 

On the 12th of April there was a Casino Party at the Friday Bar. We had to dress up - as is right and proper in a casino. The bar and the cantine were decorated with red carpets, poker chips, playing cards and so on. It was a great atmosphere. We spent an awesome night together.

Sundays in Vordingborg are lazy Sundays. But sometimes there are good reasons for waking up early. On the 14th of April a handball game took place in Vordingborg. So we spent the whole morning in the sports hall and cheered for the Vordingborg team. At lunchtime we had waffles in our home and and then went to the sportshall again. Out team won - what a nice Sunday!

On the 25th of April we had a common dinner with all the Erasmus students. We split up in groups an cooked traditional meals of our homecountries. It was quite interesting to taste all the different dishes and to find out that some of them were even similar to dishes in Austria. We made "Knödel mit Schwammerlsoße" and "Erbsensuppe mit Butternockerl". ;-)

3 countries in 7 days

The last week was just amazing. 

My parents and my sister came to visit me, which I was very looking forward to. 

I met them in Copenhagen where we had our hotel. It was great to see them again and to show them a piece of Denmark.

On the first two days I guided them through Copenhagen which was very easy because I had been there before. Additionally we were very lucky because the weather was sunny and warm.

On the third day we hired a car and drove to Helsingør. There we visited the Kronborg Slot which is the venue of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 

The castle and the nearby beach were beautiful and I really enjoyed being there. From there we could even see the seashore of Sweden. 

In the evening we drove to Gilleleje which is on the very top of Denmark’s island called “Sealand”. There we went to the coast and watched the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen.

On the fourth day we drove to Malmö/ Sweden. It was an incredible feeling to drive beneath the ocean’s surface and on the Oresund-bridge. 

 

In Malmö we just walked around and visited some interesting and beautiful places. 

Since the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmö this year it would be great to come back.

On the last day of our journey we went back to Vordingborg. My family got to know my lovely roommate Arda and after some hours it was already time to say Good Bye.

 But I didn’t really have time to feel sad because at Friday night Alexandra and Theresa had the spontaneous idea to go to Oslo for the Easter weekend. So we booked the ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo and a room for one night. It was almost two o’clock in the morning when we went to bed.

The next morning came rapidly and our journey began...

I really enjoyed our spontaneous trip and I will never forget all the incredible experiences. :-)