Šiuolaikinių didaktikų centras

Organization of events

Conferences

International conference “Native language policy: school, society and state” 19-20 September 2008, Vilnius / Lithuania
		Native language policy is the integral part of the whole state policy, therefore it is concurrent with integration processes of Europe and the world. Speakers from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, England, Holland analysed the impact of globalisation to native languages of Europe countries, what are relations between native language and other languages, used in the country, what is scientists, politicians, teachers, society members opinion about nowadays situation of native language. The first day was intended for plenary speeches, the second - for discussions in plenary sessions, such as Language Policy and Society, School, Studies and Language Teaching , Aspects of Multilingualism Policies. The conference was supported by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, The Ministry of the Culture, the Ministry of Education and Science, Lithuania Traditions and Heritage Commission, European Commission Representation in Lithuania Programme Bio lines Speeches

Republican scientific-practical conference „Reading as Social Skill: Text in the Process of Education" 4-5 January 2005, Vilnius/Lithuania
		The conference was organized by Modern Didactics Centre together with The Ministry of the Science and Education of the Republic of Lithuania, Centre for Education Development and Vilnius S. Daukantas secondary school. The conference was aimed to discuss the role of reading in the context of changing educational tasks and contemporary society needs; to highlight reading and text cognition related problems indicated by scientists and practitioners and to find possible ways of solution; to share a good practice in the field; to encourage a linkage of scientific and practical pedagogical experience. There were 114 participants at the conference - teachers of general and higher education, librarians, social pedagogues, servants of the Ministry of Education and Science and education departments of municipalities.

International conference "Development of Critical Thinking and Teacher Training in the XXI-st century - Opportunities for Change" 21-23 February 2000, Vilnius/Lithuania
		The conference was devoted for pre-service teacher training issues not only in the Soros network countries, but also in the whole world. The quests from 10 countries had opportunity not only to share their experience, but also visited Lithuanian schools - methodical centres of critical thinking development - and observed lessons. Lithuania teachers prepared practical recommendations for pre-service teacher training institutions: what necessary changes we are facing in XXI century. The 60 participants from USA, Check Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania were involved into very active planning for the future cooperation and left with concrete engagements. Agenda


Seminars, discussions, actions

PLA workshop "Practical Classroom Training within Initial Teacher Education" 5-8 October 2009, Vilnius/Lithuania
		PLA meeting in Vilnius seek to analyze one aspect of teacher training - preparation for teacher’s profession and meeting national as well as EU requirements for teacher’s professional competences. Teaching practices at school served as binoculars to look at subject teachers training in Universities. 11 countries participated in this PLA: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom. More about the workshop

Discussion „Early language education: experience, lessons, challenges" 19 June 2009, Vilnius/Lithuania
		The aim of the discussion was to share experience of early language education, to discuss rising challenges and possibilities to unify attemptions of different areas specialists, social groups and organizations for quality language education at the early stage of education. Participants of the discussion was teachers of primary grades, native and foreign language teachers form secondary schools, school headmasters, parents, university lecturers, representatives of Ministry of Education and Science, NGOs, media. Discussion was organised by Representation of European Commission in Lithuania and Modern Didactics Centre.

Discussion „Language policy of European Commission: language skills as a condition for successful career and harmonious society“ 26 November 2008 , Vilnius/Lithuania
		Discussion was organised in the frame of the annual Adult Education Weeks "Culture + Language = Dialogue" by Modern Didactics Centre and Representation of European Commission in Lithuania. The main topic of the discussion was the language policy of European Commission and its impact for Lithuania.

Readers contest "Reading and sharing" January - October 2008
		The contest was organised to contribute the National programme of reading promotion and events of the Reading Year, that was announced in Lithuania in 2008. The readers contest was devoted for students and families seeking to promote reading and meaningful sharing of reading experience with friends and family members and to present young readers experience to the wider audience. 1785 students and 49 families took part in the contest. The winners were prised during the celebratory event at the National Library of Lithuania.

Action „Reading together" marking the International Literacy Day 7 September 2007, Vilnius, Silute, Mazeikiai, Moletai
		The main idea of the action - to highlight the importance of reading. In Modern Didactics Centre's modelling schools there were organised series of reading activities: reading during lessons, meetings with writers and publishers, book presentations and discussions, book fairs. The action was organized in cooperation with publishing house Alma littera.

Meeting-discussion „Development of the Communication Competences Between the People of Different Cultures“ 9 November 2004, Vilnius/Lithuania
		Discussion was organized in cooperation with Lithuania Association for Adult Education. The aim of discussion – to share experience of cultural education working with different social groups: communities of national minorities, immigrants, government and non-government organizations. During the meeting there were presented Socrates Grungtvig programme projects designed for development of cultural communication competences in multinational regions of Lithuania.

International Summer School "The Role and Influence of the Baltic Region NGO's for Change in Higher Education” 21-25 August 2002, Trakai/Lithuania
		The Summer School was organized to strength cooperation between educational NGOs of Baltic See region (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Kaliningrad region), to encourage interest in actual issues of high education, and to expose the role and influence of educational NGO’s for the change of educational policy. 39 educators from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Kaliningrad region participated in the Summer school and discussed the role of educational NGO's in a democratic society, cooperation with EU funds, development and implementation of common Baltic region projects, improvement of higher schools teachers’ pedagogical competence, cooperation of higher and secondary school. Guest lecturer of the Summer school Eigil Kjaergaard (Denmark) delivered the workshop "The role of NGO in democratic society" and presented strategies of effective cooperation and team building. The Summer School was supported by Open Society Fund-Lithuania and Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. Programme


Study visits

EU Lifelong Learning Programme study visit „CRED‘o – Creative Education – Successful Generation" 4-8 October 2010, Vilnius/Lithuania
		Modern Didactics Centre has organized EU Lifelong Learning Programme study visit for education and vocational training specialists to Lithuania under the theme “CRED’o: Creative Education – Successful Generation” on 4-8 October 2010. The purpose of the visit – promoting creativity in training and education. 12 education specialists from Netherlands, Germany, France, UK, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Poland participated in the visit programme and have got acquainted with the Lithuanian schools initiatives and experience in applying creativity techniques in formal and informal education. Website of the study visit

Study visit of Great Britain educators 17-21 May, 2010, Vilnius/Lithuania
		There was organised study visit for 8 teachers from various education institutions of Great Britain. Teachers have visited several Lithuanian primary and secondary schools in Vilnius and observed the process of education. The topic of the visit "Every Child Matters". Community Leadership". The visit was initiated and supported by Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (Great Britain). “We saw some evidence of good practice with developing the involvement of parents.” “I enjoyed my time very much and gained a lot personally. It is always a privilege to be able to see other schools and systems and discuss educational issues including similarities and differences with colleagues. The schools we visited were extremely welcoming and I was impressed with their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to providing an excellent education for the children”. Evaluation of the visit

Visit of Italy Cosenza local Government Vocational Training Department specialists 6-7 May, 2010, Vilnius/Lithuania
		Italy Cosenza local Government Vocational Training Department specialists visited Modern Didactics Centre to get acquainting with social and professional integration of foreigners, system of validation of acquired competences, recognition of qualifications and employment situation of immigrants in Lithuania. The participants of the visit have met the delegates of the most representative Lithuanian organizations that attend to formation a guidance of immigrate people, with the objective to know the system in act and its evolution in response of the entrance in the UE. The visit was organized while implementing the Leonardo da Vinci VETPRO (Vocational Education Training Programme for Professionals) program "EuroCompass: evaluation and validation of acquired competences to promote the mobility and the integration of people come from extra-EU countries", where Modern Didactics Centre together with UAB „MEC Baltic“ (Mediterranean Consultancy in Baltic Region) and Kaunas Vocational Training Centre for Business Specialists participated as a partner of EUROFORM RFS (Italy).

Visit of delegation of the representatives of the government of the Republic of Albania 21-22 December 2009, Vilnius/Lithuania
		The delegation consisted of Minister of Education and Science Myqerem Tafaj, Director of the Minister’s Office Edlira Late, Director of Budgetary Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Science Mimoza Agolli, Adviser to the Prime Minister Bardhyl Musai, Rector of Tirana University Dhori Kule, came into Lithuania to get acquainting with higher education reform and principles of education funding. Delegation visited ISM University of Management and Economics, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Vilnius Mykolas Romeris University, have a meeting with Minister of Education and Science Gintaras Steponavicius. Minister G. Steponavicius told about Lithuanian higher education system and reform of science and studies; he stressed the importance of the quality in higher education, accessibility of studies, efficient use of resources, principles of fair competition between higher schools and students.

Study visit of Great Britain educators 12-16 October 2009, Vilnius/Lithuania
		There was organised study visit for 13 teachers from various education institutions of Great Britain. Teachers have visited several Lithuanian primary and secondary schools in Vilnius and observed the process of education. The topic of the visit "Every Child Matters". Community Leadership" The visit was initiated and supported by Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (Great Britain). "So back in school and just shown the children the photos i took and discussed the trip with them in Assembly. Interesting to see the place, in and outside of the capital, see the education system and discuss the similarities and differences between Lithuania and the UK. I must say how I really enjoyed everyone's company and felt that everyone supported and help each other. Made the trip that little bit better" (Owain Richards). Comments on the visit

Study visit of Great Britain educators 11-15 February 2008, Vilnius/Lithuania
		There was organised study visit for 12 teachers from various education institutions of Great Britain. Teacher have visited several Lithuanian secondary schools and gymnasiums in Vilnius and observed the process of civic education. The visit was initiated and supported by Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (Great Britain).

Study visit of Azerbaijan delegation 27-30 March 2007, Vilnius/Lithuania
		Teachers, representatives of state institutions and NGO visited Lithuania to get acquaintant with corruption prevention situation and anti-corruption education in the country. During the visit they have met with servants of Special Investigation Service, Anticorruption Committee of the Lithuania Republic Seimas, General Election Committee, General Committee of Official Ethics, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education and Science. Delegation also visited Anyksciai A. Baranauskas secondary school since 2002 participating in Modern Didactics Centre's anti-corruption projects.

Study visit of Great Britain educators 5-12 February, 21-25 February, 22-29 October 2005, Vilnius/Lithuania
		There were organized three study visits for three teachers' groups. In total 28 teachers from various education institutions of Great Britain have visited several Lithuanian primary, secondary schools and gymnasiums in Vilnius and observed the process of critical and creative thinking education. The visit was initiated and supported by Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (Great Britain). “We were looking at Thinking Skills and did see evidence if independent learning in some sessions. However, we found that the greatest interest was in the cultural differences". (Participant's comment) Comments on the visit

Tajik Teachers Training in Lithuania 25 March - 2 April 2000, Vilnius/Lithuania
		MDC organized a study visit to Lithuania for Tajik teachers and delivered workshop about active teaching methods. During the visit teachers got acquainted with education system of Lithuania, process of national educational reform. Teachers had meetings with representatives of various educational institutions, observed lessons at schools. The visit was initiated and supported by World Bank.