Ełk

Meeting of Mathematics Teachers from Greece, Turkey and Poland as part of Erasmus+ “Mathematicians in Europe”

After the success of the first meeting, the second mobility of mathematics teachers from Greece, Turkey and Poland as part of the Erasmus+ “Mathematicians in Europe” program took place on September 16-21, 2024. This time, Poland was the host of the event, and the aim was to deepen cooperation, further exchange experiences and continue work on joint educational projects.

We met at the Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński School Complex No. 2 in Ełk, where participants continued working on educational projects started during the first mobility, focusing on the implementation and testing of new methods of teaching mathematics. Teachers had the opportunity to share their experiences in teaching mathematics, discuss the challenges they face, and learn about different approaches and didactic methods used in Greece, Turkey and Poland. One of the main points of the program was presenting and discussing innovative methods of teaching mathematics, including the use of modern technologies, educational games and interdisciplinary projects. Participants took part in workshops and training sessions aimed at improving their professional competences and enriching their teaching skills.

On the first day, after the participants arrived at the Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński School Complex No. 2 in Ełk, there was an official welcome and integration sessions aimed at strengthening the relationships between the participants. In addition to visiting the school, all participants of the meeting took a closer look at the education system and the external exam system that apply in Poland. An analysis of the core curriculum in mathematics in Poland in secondary schools was also made – both at the basic and advanced levels. There was also no shortage of information about the matriculation exam in mathematics itself and ways of analyzing its results in schools in Poland. We also discussed the topic of final exams in mathematics in Greece and Turkey.

An interesting experience was the analysis of the results and ways of solving the quiz conducted online in schools (Burdur, Rhodes, Ełk). This was the starting point for a discussion on the methodology of creating and assessing multiple choice tests.

As part of the Erasmus+ project “Mathematicians in Europe”, during mobility in Poland, two open lessons were held, which were observed by mathematics teachers from Turkey, Greece and Poland. The aim of this undertaking was:

• Presentation of teaching methods – showing different methods and techniques used in teaching mathematics.

• Exchange of experiences – enabling teachers from different countries to observe and evaluate teaching practices.

• Feedback and discussion – collecting comments and observations from observers, which allowed for a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the presented methods.

An interesting experience for guests from Turkey and Greece was participation in methodological workshops using educational games and an interactive monitor. Didactic games attract students’ attention and make them more involved in the teaching process. Students are more willing to participate in lessons that are diversified with elements of fun. Introducing games to mathematics lessons evokes positive emotions, which promotes better knowledge acquisition. Games also stimulate students to think creatively and search for innovative solutions to mathematical tasks, they can be adapted to different levels of students’ advancement, which allows for individualization of teaching and better adaptation to the needs of each student. In summary, participation in workshops on the use of didactic games significantly enriched the skills of mathematics teachers, allowing them to conduct more engaging, effective and individualized lessons. An important undertaking implemented during the mobility in Ełk was the International Conference of Mathematics Teachers, organized in cooperation with the Masurian Teacher Training Center in Ełk. During the conference, mathematics teachers participating in the Mathematicians in Europe project from all partner countries shared their experiences, and the participants were mathematics teachers from secondary schools from the surrounding counties.

The time spent in Poland, at the Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński Complex of Schools No. 2 in Ełk, is also a time of preparation for the third and final mobility. During the workshops, we prepared sets of quizzes that will be conducted at the beginning of October in all schools, and the results will become the basis for a discussion on how to solve matriculation exam-type tasks by students of partner schools.

To sum up, the second mobility of mathematics teachers under the Erasmus+ program “Mathematicians in Europe” was a success, bringing many benefits to the participants. Teachers gained new skills and tools for teaching mathematics, which they will be able to use in their schools. Thanks to deeper cooperation and better understanding of cultural differences, the participants are better prepared to implement joint educational projects. The mutual exchange of experiences and knowledge contributed to improving the quality of mathematics education in partner schools, as well as promoting the value of international cooperation and intercultural understanding