Agenda
Review of project application
Revision of Year 1 workplan
Project communications
Present
Teis Trane ( 3 December 1997), Anna Karin Hedenskog, Christiane Fradin, Antonio Luis Rodriguez, Mary Yarr, Caitriona Hughes, Colum Barton, Mike Donaghy
Record of meeting
Item 1 Workplan
The aims and objectives of the project as stated in the original application were reviewed. It was agreed that the focus of the project would be children aged approximately10 years old.
In view of the late start to the project, as well as the reduced funding (ECU 20,000), it was agreed that the workplan for Year1 should be revised. It was agreed that there would be two full project meetings in Year 1, one as soon as possible in the new year and one towards the end of the school year. This would allow partners time to develop and trial materials during the intervening period. The dates suggested in February, following the meeting with the Danish partner, were not suitable for other partners. The only dates which suited all those present were :
Wed. 28 January - Sun. 1 February 1998
Venue : SPAIN
Wed. 3 June - Sun. 7 June 1998
Venue : SWEDEN
It was recognised that the first date might prove extremely difficult for Teis Trane, and partners recorded their regrets at having to select an inconvenient date. However, it appeared to be the only date before March which was possible for the majority of partners. It was agreed that a date in March would be too late to achieve the objectives of Year 1. The venues were agreed on account of possible weather conditions.
Two representatives from each partner organisation would be invited to attend these meetings. It was agreed that it would be desirable that at least one of these representatives should remain the same throughout the project in order to provide continuity. The co-ordinator for each partner would choose the second representative as appropriate to the work plan. It was agreed that Caitriona Hughes and Mike Donaghy would act as administrative co-ordinators for the project. They would attend meetings only where necessary, ie. to complete end of year financial and administrative reports required by Brussels.
It was also agreed that a video-conference link-up, based on the existing expertise of partners, might be possible mid-way between the two meetings. This would be dependent upon funding.
Item 2 Finance / expenditure
The financial arrangements for the project were reviewed. The importance of detailed records of expenditure was emphasised. Partners were asked to review the personnel costs as entered on the application form (Section E1) and to provide for the first meeting an accurate pro diem rate for each representative and for teachers who might be involved in trialling materials. It was agreed that a detailed record of hours spent on project work would be kept by each partner using a format to be drafted by Mike Donaghy.
Action : Mike Donaghy
Following discussion of expenditure, it was agreed that :
travel costs would be paid centrally by Caitriona Hughes (unless local costs were significantly cheaper) and that
costs of hosting meetings would be paid locally by the hosting partner.
Each partner was asked to determine :
the cost of hosting a four day conference (accommodation, meals, internal travel and cultural visits)
the cost of travel to each of the other partner venues (including a Saturday night).
This information was to be forwarded to Caitriona Hughes as soon as possible.
Action : All partners
On account of the reduced budget, it was agreed that the translation and printing costs would be deferred to Year 2 if necessary. The use of the Internet to disseminate Year 1 outcomes would reduce the need for extensive printing in Year 1. It was noted that an Internet site was under development using the in-house resources of the co-ordinating partner. It was agreed that translation of materials would be achieved using the contacts/resources of each partner organisation as far as possible.
The general administration budget was agreed at a maximum of 500 ECU per partner. This money would be held by Caitriona Hughes centrally and paid out to partners on receipt of a detailed invoice before the end of Year 1. Costs under this item would include communications (telephone / fax / mail / email), office supplies and photocopying.
Item 3 Project communications
It was agreed that partners who do not have email facilities should determine the cost of going on-line to facilitate project communications. It might be possible to meet this cost (software only) from the project funding.
Action : Partners currently without email facilities.
Partners should bring to the first meeting details of computers and software used in their organisations in order to determine whether a common format would be achievable in the development of materials.
Action : All partners.
It was agreed that all partners would complete contact details on a pro-forma to be provided by Mike Donaghy. These would be collated and produced as a partner handbook for ease of reference.
Action : Mike Donaghy
During the second part of the meeting, partners were given an opportunity to review progress on an Internet site dedicated to the project. The design of the site was explained and provided on paper. It was agreed that partners would identify Internet addresses for :
education organisations
regions / cities
schools
cultural resources / centres
of their respective countries which would be useful if included as part of the project Internet site. This information should be brought to the first meeting.
Action : All partners.
Item 4 Year 1 content
Following discussion of Year 1 of the project "The origins of difference", it was agreed that each partner would take an aspect of the theme of "Journeys". This aspect should be relevant to the national curriculum of the partner. It could focus on any historical period (including the present day) or any geographical area, but should focus on movement of peoples to or within Europe. The reasons for migration might be explored (why? / how?), possibly focusing on a child's perspective on such journeys or movement.
It was agreed that the time scale (February - May 1998) for the development and trialling of teaching materials meant that the materials should not be too ambitious, but should have a clear and realistic focus. The materials could be drawn from a range of media, but should lend themselves to use in classrooms in every partner country.
It was agreed that each partner would discuss and identify with colleagues an aspect of this theme. Each partner would come to the first meeting with a clear idea of how this aspect might be developed in terms of teaching materials.
Action : All partners.