COOL-Impulse Centre In 2001 the Impulse-Centre for Co-operative Open

Learning was set up to spread the concept in on-the-job training courses for

teachers. teams of teachers are enabled to implement the concept

in their schools. main principle of the training concept is to teach COOL by

using COOL methods in a “learning-by doing” approach.  

COOL-Network

Building a network of COOL-partners is another aim of the Centre.

In 2004 quality standards were set up and until 2010 44 schools have applied at the

Impulse Centre and were awarded the certificate COOL-Network-Partner-School.

COOL history CO-operative Open Learning

Started in STEYR in 1996 in 3-year business school, in 2000 in 5-year form

developed along concepts in NL & DK

based on Dalton Plan practised in 8 classes, 30

teachers involved considerable response among

vocational schools in Austria

DALTON PLAN historical background: Progressive Education

Movement –USA around 1900 (John Dewey) Learning from experience, getting in touch with

knowledge, teacher as a coach Helen Parkhurst -Laboratory Plan, High School

in Dalton /Massachusetts (1919) “it‘s no longer school, it‘s life“ – training of social

skills in school are the roots of democracy

DALTON PRINCIPLES

freedom & responsibility

co-operation budgeting time

What does COOL mean? Regular class-teachers‘ team meetings Assignments in various subjects (also mixed-subject

assignments) Open learning lessons for about one third of lessons -

students have freedom of choice (what, with whom where and when to work on which assignment)

Regular class meetings (chaired by students) to promote communicative skills

Constant reflection and evaluation of work by students and teachers

Feedback on development of social skills Participation of and refelction with parents

Cooperative Open Learning - focus on students‘ activity

Promoting Students‘ Teamwork

with co-operative working methods with regular class meetings (student

conferences) with seminars for team-development

Personal development within a community Constant co-operation of small teams (feedback and evaluation) Creative and communicative skills to solve conflicts and

problems Leadership and management of organisations

Aims of COOL Making students responsible for

their learning process and improving their creative problem solving skills

Enforcing individual and communicative skills to guarantee personal development within a working community

Shifting the focus from teaching to learning to uncover personal resource and to promote the potential of the individual

Impulse-Centre for Co-operative Open Learning

constant development of the COOL teaching concept

on-the-job training for teachers

coaching schools on implementation

coordination of COOL-Impulse-Schools and Network-Partners (40-50 schools all over Austria)

www.cooltrainers.at

“Teaching is simply like taking a horse to the water, but the leader of the horse cannot make the horse drink.”

Helen Parkurst: Education the Dalton Plan (1922)