On the 1st of July 2022, a group of five secondary school teachers from Medical school “Nadežda Petrović“ (Belgrade, Serbia) completed the tenth workshop of the Illumine Professional Development Programme and participated in a focus group discussion to reflect on the entire process of professional development and evaluate the project’s activities.
During a period of nine months, participants attended a series of workshops on evidence-based teaching and learning practices grounded in the Science of Learning. In line with the needs teachers expressed in the pre-workshop focus group, we decided to discuss both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of their work. Therefore, we focused on Retrieval Practice, and Reframing, addressing the Stress Mindsets and Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets. Teachers were encouraged to develop a ‘Teacher as a Researcher’ approach, and to implement their own research projects using these evidence-based strategies with their students.
After the interventions that they did individually or in pairs, we reflected on the results and lessons learned all together. In the final focus group teachers stated that they innovated their practice and improved their cooperation and reflection skills, and they were happy that they had opportunities to spread new knowledge and enthusiasm about Science of Learning to other colleagues from the school and wider community.
