Sustainability & Outdoor Education
AZORES – Structured School Visits, Observation & Educational Exchange
5 days
The Azores School Insight Week (A.S.I.W.) is a structured programme designed for educators who wish to gain a deeper understanding of different educational approaches through school visits, observation, and professional exchange.
Taking place in Ponta Delgada, this course offers participants the opportunity to explore the Portuguese education system, observe real classroom practices, and engage with teachers and school leaders in authentic contexts.
Participants will visit both a public school and a private institution, allowing for comparative analysis of methodologies, learning environments, and school cultures. The programme also includes a cultural and educational visit to a local museum, connecting education with heritage and informal learning.
This course is ideal for teachers, school leaders, and education professionals looking to enrich their perspective, exchange best practices, and bring new ideas back to their institutions.
Learning Outcomes
Participants to the course will learn to:
Understand the structure and key features of the Portuguese education system
Observe different teaching methodologies in real classroom settings
Compare public and private school approaches
Reflect on classroom management, student engagement, and learning environments
Identify innovative practices that can be adapted to their own schools
Develop skills in educational observation and reflective practice
Exchange experiences with international colleagues and local educators
Explore the role of cultural institutions in education
Strengthen their ability to analyse and improve teaching practices
Programme
AZORES – Structured School Visits, Observation & Educational Exchange
Day 1 – Welcome & Portuguese Education System (Ponta Delgada)
Welcome session and introduction to the programme
Icebreakers and participant presentations
Overview of the Portuguese education system
Presentation at Teatro Micaelense / Teatrapi
Q&A and discussion
Reflection: What are the key differences between my system and the Portuguese system?
Day 2 – Public School Visit & Classroom Observation
Visit to a public school in Ponta Delgada
Guided tour of facilities
Classroom observation (different levels/subjects)
Meeting with teachers and/or school management
Discussion on teaching practices and challenges
Reflection: What practices could I transfer to my own context?
Day 3 – Private School Visit & Educational Approaches
Visit to a private school / college
Observation of teaching methodologies
Focus on innovation, organisation, and student support
Exchange session with teachers
Reflection: What are the main differences between public and private education?
Day 4 – Museum Visit & Learning Beyond the Classroom
Visit to a museum in Ponta Delgada
Exploration of cultural heritage and informal education
Discussion: how to integrate museums into teaching
Activity: designing a learning experience based on museum resources
Reflection: How can cultural institutions enrich student learning?
Day 5 – Reflection, Sharing & Certification
Group reflection and sharing of experiences
Presentation of key learning points
Discussion on future collaborations and Erasmus+ opportunities
Final evaluation and feedback
Delivery of certificates
Materials, digital tools & other learning resources
Course participants will receive training and engage in exercises designed to develop their skills as trainers. The provision of additional materials or resources will be determined based on the course structure and the instructor’s approach to meeting the learning objectives
Course package content:
Services and activities included in the course package are those described above. Please note that accommodation, transport, and meals are not provided.
Cancellation & changes:
Common sense prevails when it comes to cancellations, which are analyzed on a case-by-case basis.