With the professional support of the MTA-AVKF Research Group, a Doctoral Meeting entitled “Methods, Measurements, Dilemmas” was organized at the Apor Vilmos Catholic College. The aim of the conference, which will be held annually from now on, is to provide information, experiences, opportunities for contest, and networking for young people participating in doctoral work or intending to start in this direction.
The online Quatro Blocks cognitive training undergoes further testing
In the fall, experiment schools tested the online training based on the Mondrian Blocks game for the first time. Following the feedback of teachers, improvements were made to fix the errors, and now in February, children can play the puzzle game. Feedback indicates that the only issue remaining is that among the mobile devices available in schools, there are several very old types on which the program cannot run.
Meeting at the halfway point of the research project
Our research team is holding a meeting at the College on the afternoon of 8th September. The main topics will be the mid-term report, evaluation of the work done so far, organisation of the international project and planning for further research work in the HAS-AVCC project.
Creating and accessing the Learning Cards via the mobile app
Almost thirty teachers and many students are involved in creating our flashcard arsenal. Judit Pap coordinates the process, during which the cards go through several proofreading sessions and are then given a graphic design. Thanks to the creative team, and to the students of the Budapest University of Technology, who, under the guidance of Dr. Bertalan Forstner, created an interface for editing the cards and then adapted them to a fully functional mobile application.
The link to the School Card Makers’ website is still up and running, and you can still download the cards in pdf format: https://tanulokartyak.azurewebsites.net If you want to make your own cards, please contact tanulokartya@gmail.com. The mobile app is still available for download on Google Play: Tanulókártyák – Tanulási Környezet Kutatócsoport
We won an Erasmus+ grant!
Our research group’s “Cognitive coaching for needs-based pedagogies in teacher training” (COGNI-TEaCH) no. 2023-1-HU01-KA220-HED-000159529 Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education (KA220-HED) application has been accepted based on the evaluation of independent experts and it is supported by the Tempus Public Foundation. Now, our work on changing the learning environment can be extended to an international audience.
Preparation for the methodological developments of the second year
The first development year of the research program ended on June 20, 2023. Teachers of the schools involved in the development prepared a written report on the experiences of this phase, as well as photo and video documentation.
Based on the feedback, the research group developed additional methodological units and prepared a correlation table of the methodological units and the capabilities these methods develop. On the preparation day held on June 27, 2023, teachers got acquainted with the new possibilities, and we reviewed, and analysed the old and new methodological units using the correlation table. Teachers chose from the offered methods for their students entering the second grade for the next school year.
In summary: in the fall of 2023, development will continue in 20 classes of 18 schools to create a supportive learning environment.
Study trip to Vienna
On June 22, 2023, we visited Vienna with our teacher group at the invitation of the Technische Universität Wien, where we got acquainted with a special project – Innovationslabor für Bildungsräume in bewegung (BiB Lab). In free translation: Innovation laboratory for educational spaces in motion.
Karin Harather, Ass. Prof. Mag. art. Dr phil. project leader welcomed and guided us. All three workshops operate in a housing estate environment, one of which was set up in an bus. Thus, throughout the summer, it offers programs for children at various points in the housing estate.
At the heart of the project is the creative use of space, which is suitable for learning, exercise and relaxation, and in the design and planning of which the requests and ideas of users, children, and teachers were included.
In the afternoon, we visited an international school, which had considered the users’ needs during its construction. Among the members of the research group, Dalma Dani-Ördög organized and led the study trip, teachers from 8 schools participating in the research joined the program.
Mondrian Blocks – cognitive foundation at the time of starting school – conference presentation
On June 15, 2023, we gave a presentation at the 6th Art Pedagogy Conference entitled “The power of art – expression, creation, healing, cognitive and emotional development”. The performance took place in the Vigadó building. The authors: Éva Gyarmathy, Kristóf Fenyvesi, Imre Kökényesi, Zsolt Lavicza, Judit Pap, Mónika Turmezei. The Mondrian Blocks cognitive training methodology presented by the research group aroused great interest. Several people tried the game version of the method.
Our fellow researcher, Mór Antal Szűcs, defended his doctoral dissertation
Mór Antal Szűcs won a doctorate with his doctoral thesis entitled “The effect of the ‘Mesezene’ (Fairy-tale Music) method on phonological awareness and rapid automated naming”, defended before the Doctoral Committee for Educational Sciences of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of ELTE. The method is part of our research package, which teachers could familiarize themselves with and choose.
Dr Szűcs continues his research, examines the impact of the method, as well as the possibilities of incorporating it into teaching.
蒙德里安交流会
蒙德里安交流会
Exchange Meeting on Mondrian Blocks
时间:3月24日19:30-21:30(北京时间)Time:March 24th, 13:30-15:30(EU time)
中方与会人员:4位小朋友、教师 Chinese participants: 4 students, and teachers
外方与会人员:明人Mero、器具产品总监Imre、Gyarmathy教授、Kristof教授、
1位一线教师 EU participants: Laszlo Mero, Imre Kokenyesi, Eva Gyarmathy, Kristof Fenyvesi, and a practicing teacher
We held an online meeting with Chinese partners regarding one of our most successful methodological units.
After the introductions, Chinese children asked questions, and our team answered them. A Chinese teacher introduced her understanding of Mondrian Blocks and briefly displayed the curriculum and materials they developed from Mondrian Blocks. Another Chinese teacher talked about the problems they encountered during the research process, and the EU side gave them some ideas.
EU side explained their study and experience in applying the Mondrian block in teaching. Bori Herczeg a practicing Hungarian teacher talked about her experiences and methods. After the discussing methodology, EU participants were asked to give some suggestions to the Chinese side, which would trigger students to conduct independent inquiry. At the end of the meeting, participants explored long-term exchange options.