Folkbildning and Pedagogical Leadership (Distance Learning)
This course delves into the theory, values, educational psychology and methods for democratising teaching, learning and leadership. Participants gain insight into the fundamental principles of adult education, folkbildning such as collaborative working methods and tools from restorative pedagogy.
The course highlights how folkbildning, both as a social movement and an educational framework, can be adapted for various contexts with liberating needs. We place particular emphasis on how to build bridges between civic engagement and societal structures. Together, the participants design learning environments by applying learning taxonomies that promote personal knowledge integration, self-awareness, and holistic development for both groups and individuals.
Throughout the course, participants and tutors collaborate in collegial working processes that transform the course's experiences and content into practical skills in creating learning outcomes, syllabi and study designs that actively promote democratic processes.
The course aims to develop awareness and methods for professional educators, with a particular focus on community building, democratic education, folkbildning, and restorative working methods. We explore dialogue and humility as the basis for the pursuit of knowledge.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants are expected (individually and collectively) to be able to:
- apply democratic educational leadership principles and methods with competence and confidence;
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analyse and adapt non-formal folkbildning concepts and methods to different local educational contexts;
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effectively implement democratic and collaborative learning methods in educational environments;
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demonstrate restorative educational techniques and methods in teaching and learning environments;
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managing diverse educational contexts with cultural sensitivity, including trauma-informed approaches to education; and
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design comprehensive course materials and learning experiences that promote democratic processes and enhance self-awareness at both the individual and group level.
Learning method
At Sankt Ignatios College, the overarching principle guiding learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.
Knowledge is a dialogue that requires humility and empathy.
The course is based on collaborative and dialogic learning, where participants actively shape both their shared learning journey and the course itself. Content, materials, and methods are adapted in real-time based on the participants' needs, interests, and contributions. In addition to mastering the subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transform their thinking, practice, and identity. Through dialogue, storytelling, group discussions, joint reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop an awareness of their own development while simultaneously supporting others. The learning community becomes a space where everyone's experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but also actively guide the course's direction, helping each individual integrate learning into their own life context in a meaningful and personally transformative way.
Requirements
Attendance is compulsory. Participants are expected to take part in all course activities, both by attending and actively participating in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may need to complete additional assignments to meet the course’s learning objectives. To be considered as having completed the course, 80% attendance and active participation are required.
Syllabus
See the syllabus for further information.