17th May
There
were 31 participants per day, from all partner countries: Italy, Portugal,
Turkey, Poland and Croatia plus 11 slovenian teachers.
The
Slovenian coordinator, and project’s main coordinator - Mrs. Tanja
Nikolovski - opened the virtual mobility
by presentating the timeline for the first day. It was a moment of rejoice for
seeing eachother again after so long time. Altough Whatsapp group had been
filled with photos, memes, souvenirs from other physical mobilities to keep
memory alive, this was the time and the place to officially work together
again, we were all very excited and happy to be able to share this experience.
At
9.05 a.m. Mrs. Msc Lidija Marin, Dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj School headmistress,
gave her welcoming speech and some minutes later the Heart Beat Band, mentored by Mrs. Msc Jasna Veber Zazula, presented
an original musical performance.
At
9.30 a.m. we enjoyed a carefully planned virtual walk around the school dr.
Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj, hosted by Msc Lidija Marin, headmistress. The school is
quite new and well equipped. It impressed the group.
Then,
at 10.30 a.m. there was a presentation of the mobile service - individual
additional professional assistance to students with learning difficulties in
regular primary schools by Mrs. Aleksandra Serec Šijanec, special education
teacher. The group was given a detailed explanation of how SEM teachers also
help students in regular classes around town, therefore showing that support is
given outside the special education schools. Not always an easy straightforward
help but teachers try to do their best.
Afterwards,
there was time for dialogue, from participants’
questions we could infer that they were motivated and eager to learn more about
the subject and how Slovenia supports inclusion.
And
this was the motto for the presentation of the Slovenian school system by Mrs.
Tanja Nikolovski. She introduced the topic and gave a detailed explanation through
a planned digital presentation enriched by the use of informative vídeos of
Slovenian Ministry of Education.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvUOaJjlBNs
https:
//www.youtube.com/watch? v = yFYOMQrUhNU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CNZvkTYQ6w&list=PLpXqOJBPuT-nY6S7KpbvfWTU0iwHZzITm&index=6
At
12.30 a.m., time for IRIS Center presentation – a Center for Education,
Rehabilitation, Inclusion and Counselling for the Blind and Partially Sighted
and our host was Mrs. Katjuša Koprivnikar, headmistress. Also her presentation
was very accurate, used lots of images to exemplify the work developed in there
and thus, digitally, share what we were supposed to see physically. We learnt
for example that the center has programs for individual or group work with blind
or partially sighted children, further qualification of professional staff, of cooperation with
parents/guardians of blind and partially sighted children, for development of
inclusive environments. Again the goal was accomplished
and this working group could clearly understand IRIS mediation work on the
subject.
On 18th may,
the second day
of this e-mobility, we all gathered via Zoom at 9 a.m., to visit the Center for Education and Rehabilitation of Physically
Handicapped Children and Adolescents, Kamnik, hosted by Mrs. Simona Rogič-Ozek.
A specialised
center for education and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with motor
impairments or chronic illnesses. Habilitation means primarily education,
however it also comprises medical therapy and rehabilitation and the
development of other areas, which are important for life. Their goals are to
achieve a suitable educational level, positively influence the medical
condition and achieve the highest possible level of independence and
effectiveness in physical, intellectual and social functioning within the individual’s
capabilities.
At
10.00 a.m. we visited CIRIUS center - Vipava Center for Education, Rehabilitation
and Training Vipava hosted by Mrs. Tanja Princes, special education teacher.
And
afterwards, it was time for the presentation of Hearing and Speech Center
Maribor by Mrs. Alenka Werdoning. Founded in 1960 to teach speech skills to children
with hearing impairments, it offers a variety of early educational programming:
Day School for children as young as six weeks, Preschool, Full-Day
Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten program, Summer programs, including
camps for children through second grade
Children
with and without hearing loss or speech/language delays can benefit from its
inclusive classroom settings. All classrooms and activities at the Early Learning
Center feature language and literacy enriched curriculum with small student to
teacher ratios. The listening and spoken language based programs provide a
superior educational foundation for all children.
The
last presentation was of VDC Sožitja Ptuj- a care and work center that provides
care, guidance and employment under special conditions for people with
intellectual disabilities, and a housing unit, our host was Mrs. Petra Šuster.
Laster,
the group attended the welcoming speech by
Mrs. Nuška Gajšek, the Mayor of the city of Ptuj. A friendly speech
which praised the guiding principles of the project, its participants, the
professionalism with which they developed it to foster sharing of good
inclusion practices to be provided to people with special needs. She also
wished for our physical presence in Ptuj, looking forward to meet us all in
person. Finally, we viewed some vídeos about the city of Ptuj to get acquainted
with its inviting beautiful landscapes, culture and people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltAjxMuxeSc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-lX-gfnq0k&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiFrU99wIMc
On 24th may,
it was
time for the third day of the e-mobility, again, everybody joined Zoom platform at 9 a.m., to learn about the Halliwick Concept of swimming for disabled
people.
Mrs. Tanja Knehtl, occupational therapist, introduced the
topic and showed excellent examples of this type of aquatic therapy, we were
shown some videos of a practical demonstration in the pool with children. This approach focus on people with physical and/or
learning difficulties, motivates them to participate in water activities, to
move independently in water and to swim.’ (IHA –
Halliwick Concept 2000). The method started to develop in London, in 1949, by
James and Phyl McMillan and is based on principles of hydrostatics,
hydrodynamics and kinesiology. The first official course on Halliwick concept
in Slovenia was in 1996 in Ljubljana. In Slovenia there are 15 Halliwick
swimming centers and in this school, they started with the first Halliwick
course in 2013, they now have 6 instructors and 2 leaders. After this
presentation there was a moment for debate and share of opinions about this
methodology. All group participated actively.
At
10.30 a.m., we attended another most expected presentation about Animal - Assisted
therapy (AAT) - activities with a dog and students, presented by Mrs. Tanja
Kaučevič, special education teacher. She told the group about the main rules to
work with animals and then showed videos
of its practical implementation. All group mobilized their attention to this
type of therapy that fosters interaction between children and dogs. We learnt
that pets can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage
exercise and playfulness, and even improve one’s cardiovascular health. Caring
for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also
provide valuable companionship for older adults. But this is not so easy to
accomplish, there are strict selection criteria both for animals and trainers. Not all dogs can be therapy dogs, there are specifics of temperament, obedience skills, relationship with
the handler, and more which a dog needs, to be a successful therapy dog, both candidate therapy dog and handler have to be
tested. And there were so many other interesting information that we learnt: the AAI – Animal Assisted Intervention
- includes animals that meet certain criteria and is designed to promote
improvement in physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the
person(s) involved; the R.E.A.D.
for PET – dog assisted reading. R.E.A.D. ® (Reading Education
Assistance Dogs), a licensed program registered with Intermountain Therapy
Animals USA.
At
11.45 a.m. we were ready for the presentation of activities with the HORSES
and children with SEN which Mrs.
Tamara Tomašič, special education teacher, carefully told us about. It was very
interesting to see how these type of therapies actually are being implemented
and how natural environments are being used for child development.
Last
but not least, a bit of culture, therefore, the group was challenged to bake a tradicional
dessert called Potica; Mrs. Tina Majerič,
home economics teacher, and her students showed us, step by step, how to do it
and now… it’s up to us to literally get our hands on the dough!
At
13.15 p.m. took place the closing event – a performance by students under the
guidance of Mrs. Aleksandra Serec Šijanec, Mrs. Klementina Korpič Mikec, Mrs.
Dragica Emeršič, Mrs. Vesna Horvat. A real magic moment that prepared our
hearts for the end of this e-mobility.
However,
every single heart was overwhelmed, even swept away, by the sincere words of
the project coordinator. Those words made us feel the affection and the
friendship that was forged throughout the 3 years project work, all the
collaboration, commitment and joy put in every single activity, talk,
performance, exhibition or stroll in each partner’s town, always with a smile
and a warm friendly and caring attitude on our faces! Always together on the road!
Together we did it! Together we can! That’s
the I.D.E.A.!
