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)