Quality for Innovation in European Schools

The Q4I project aims to develop, test and mainstream a quality development approach for schools that includes a strong commitment to innovation. The project  is based on the participation of all key stakeholders: students, teachers and parents, employers and representatives of local community. Q4I is a project designed to ensure high quality education while innovating educational practices.  Using the innovative Q4I processes will lead to higher quality education and the ability to adapt to constant changes.

The four engines of change

The Q4I approach addresses four engines of change, used at a different degree according to the specific situation. These drivers are an integral part 21st century skills map.

1. Key competences for lifelong learning should become a pillar of school education achievements, and in particular the learning to learn competence should be a main focus of efforts. This first engine is useful to set the basic learning outcomes that will give pupils tools to become active learners and have an active citizenship. The lifelong learning competencies are then involved in the development of other skills that, in turn, reinforce basic competencies.

1. ICT and Informal learning of digital natives. The use of ICT to support learning processes and the integration of informal learning of digital natives should become an integral part of school education, considering the specific value of ICT in supporting the acquisition of key competences and learning/working processes.

1. Creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation attitudes and skills. Creativity and innovation should be understood as a factor interacting in all areas, required for our personal fulfilment, fundamental in making innovation possible in each area, and essential for a social dimension that allows inter-cultural positive interactions.

1. Inter-cultural learning skills Schools have a role to play in the development of an intercultural society equipping pupils with intercultural skills essentials to appreciate the richness of diversity of culture but also to raise their awareness of their own culture. Those who are only familiar with his own culture do not really know it.